Influence of Platelet-Rich Fibrin on Alveolar Ridge Preservation

Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) on early wound healing and preservation of the alveolar ridge shape following tooth extraction. Methods In this clinical trial, 20 symmetrical, premolar extraction sockets using split-mouth design were randomly selected with PRF or blood clot. The evaluations of wound healing, alveolar ridge contour changes, and crestal bone resorption were performed in dental casts and periapical radiographs (T0, initial; T1, 1 week; T2, 2 weeks; T4, 4 weeks; T6, 6 weeks; T8, 8 weeks). Results Platelet-rich fibrin clinically showed early healing of soft tissue covering socket orifices in the first 4 weeks. At the first week, the horizontal resorption on buccal aspect of PRF (1.07 ± 0.31 mm) was significantly less than that of the control (1.81 ± 0.88 mm). Platelet-rich fibrin demonstrated the tendency to enter the steady stage after the fourth week following tooth extraction, whereas in the control group the progression of buccal contour contraction was still detected through the eighth week. Radiographically, the overall resorption of marginal bone levels at mesial and distal to the extraction site in PRF (0.70, 1.23 mm) was comparable to that of the control (1.33, 1.14 mm). Although the PRF group demonstrated faster bone healing compared with the control, no statistically significant difference was detected. Conclusions This preliminary result demonstrated neither better alveolar ridge preservation nor enhanced bone formation of PRF in the extraction socket. The use of PRF revealed limited effectiveness by accelerated soft-tissue healing on the first 4 weeks.