Rama Univ J Dent Sci 2017 June;4(2):14-22. PRF in periodontal tissue regeneration Review Article Platelet-Rich Fibrin - A Biofuel for Periodontal and Tissue Regeneration: A Review Article Amaranath J, Das N, Gupta R, Gupta I Abstract: The ultimate goal of periodontal therapy remains the complete regeneration of those periodontal tissues lost to the destructive inflammatory immune response, or to trauma. The development of bioactive surgical additives to regulate the inflammation and increase the speed of healing process is one of the great challenges in clinical research. Various platelets concentrates have been studied including the platelet-rich plasma. The growth factors present in platelets are important to guide the regenerating cells to the area of healing. The short duration of cytokine release and poor mechanical properties have resulted in the search of a new material with adequate properties for clinical application and ease of preparation. Hence, Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is one such material that holds on to these factors enmeshed in the fibrin network resulting in their sustained release over a period of time that can accelerate the wound healing process. With this knowledge, research has been carried out for a past few years for the clinical application of PRF. This autologous scaffold provides the much needed bio-chemical mediators which has the potential for enhancing reconstruction of the periodontium. This review focuses on the properties and various applications of PRF in the field of dentistry and tries to understand as to why PRF would be an important link to reach predictable periodontal regeneration. Keywords: Periodontal regeneration, PRF, Platelet concentrates, Platelet growth factors, Wound healing, Bone regeneration, Tissue engineering. INTRODUCTION Periodontal disease is defined as a complex, multifactorial disease characterized by the loss of connective tissue attachment with destruction of periodontal tissues. The aim of periodontal therapy is to eliminate inflammatory process, prevent the progression of periodontal disease and also to regenerate the lost periodontal tissues. Periodontal regeneration is a complex multifactorial process involving biological events like cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, and differentiation in an orchestrated sequence 1 . Periodontal regenerative procedures include soft tissue grafts, bone grafts, root biomodifications, guided tissue regeneration, and combinations of these procedures 2 . The concept of tissue engineering has brought about a drastic improvement in the healing process of tissues. Hence the pivotal goal in periodontal and maxillofacial tissue regeneration is to reconstruct the defects which lead to the search of a biofuel 3 . Among the rich sources of autologous growth factors are various generations of platelet concentrates that are currently in use. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), the first generation concentrate, has been used alone and in combination with grafting materials and barrier membranes in the management of periodontal and surgical defects 4,5 . However, the effects of platelet rich plasma on bone regeneration have been limited. PRF is a second- generation platelet concentrate widely used to accelerate soft and hard tissue healing and is a strictly autologous fibrin matrix containing a large quantity of platelet and leukocyte cytokines 6 . Ross et al. were amongst the pioneers who first described a growth factor from platelets 7 . Growth factors are released after activation from the platelets trapped within fibrin matrix and have been shown to stimulate the mitogenic response in the periosteum for bone repair during normal wound healing 7 . Choukroun’s PRF has been the latest development among the platelet concentrates 8 . This paper intends to review the potential of PRF in the field of Periodontal and Tissue regeneration. Historical Background of Platelet Concentrates: The world of medicine was acquainted with the regenerative potential of platelets when Ross et al 9 in 1974 introduced the regenerative potential of platelets by discussing their role in wound healing. The alpha granules of platelets contain various mitogenic factors such as Platelet Derived Growth Factor, Vascular 14