Medically reviewed by Dr. Amin P. Samadian, DDS, MBA, Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine and Fellow of the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain. Last reviewed November 7, 2026.
PRF uses your own blood to help an inflamed jaw joint heal. A small amount of blood is drawn and spun to concentrate the platelets and the healing proteins they carry, and that concentrate is placed in the joint. Dr. Amin Samadian offers PRF for the jaw joint at the San Francisco Center for TMJ and Sleep Apnea, usually as part of a broader TMJ plan. Call 415-570-2841 to ask whether it fits your case.
What PRF is
PRF stands for platelet-rich fibrin. Platelets do much more than stop bleeding: they release growth factors that signal the body to repair tissue and settle inflammation. PRF concentrates them in a natural fibrin mesh that releases those factors gradually. It is made from your blood alone, with nothing added, in a short spin in the office.
PRF is a newer form of PRP (platelet-rich plasma). PRP is made with an anticoagulant and releases its growth factors quickly. PRF has no additive and releases them more slowly, over days.
Who we consider PRF for
- A jaw joint that stays painful and inflamed despite an orthotic
- Clicking or locking with ongoing joint pain
- Wear and arthritis changes in the joint seen on imaging
- Patients who want to avoid joint surgery and have tried first-line care
PRF treats the joint. When the pain comes mostly from the muscles, or from the bite, other steps come first, which is why the exam matters.
What happens at a PRF visit
- Exam and scan. We confirm that the joint is the source and look at it on a 3D CBCT scan.
- Blood draw. A small amount, like a routine lab draw.
- Preparation. The blood is spun in the office to make the PRF, which takes a few minutes.
- Placement in the joint. The area in front of the ear is numbed and the PRF is placed in the joint with a fine needle.
- Afterward. Most people go back to normal activity the same day, with soft foods and an easy jaw for a few days. Some cases are planned as a short series.
PRF works best as part of a plan
A joint that keeps being overloaded will not stay calm. That is why PRF is usually paired with a custom orthotic that takes pressure off the joint, care for the jaw muscles, and, when needed, bite correction. How much PRF helps varies from person to person, and we set expectations for your joint at the consultation.
Book a PRF consultation in San Francisco
We are at 260 Stockton St, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94108. Call 415-570-2841 or request an appointment online.
