Efficacy of the application of leukocyte and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) on alveolar ridge preservation. A randomized controlled clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION

Alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) is a well-defined treatment performed to reduce bone dimensional changes occurring during the healing of post-extraction sockets to allow for adequate implant placement. Leukocyte and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) has been showing to potentially promote bone and tissue regeneration during wound healing. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate its efficacy for ARP when applied to fresh extraction sockets, in comparison with spontaneous healing.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-seven patients with hopeless non-molar teeth were treated. After randomization, fresh extraction sockets were either filled with L-PRF or allowed to heal spontaneously. CBCTs and intraoral scans were obtained immediately after extraction and at 4 months. Through superimposition of the obtained images, changes in the horizontal ridge width, height, buccal volume, and ridge contour changes were measured, as well as patient-reported outcome measures (PROM's).

RESULTS

The ridge dimensions changed similarly in both groups. Although less reduction occurred in the test group at 1 mm from the bone crest, differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Application of L-PRF did not prevent reductions of ridge contours, neither in the linear vertical aspect nor in volumetric changes. There were no differences between groups in the need for bone regeneration when placing implants. Patients in both groups reported similar outcomes in terms of bleeding, pain, inflammation, and function at 1 and 4 weeks postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

Alveolar preservation with L-PRF neither minimized bone resorption occurring after tooth extraction in non-molar sites nor reduced the need for bone regeneration when placing implants. Furthermore, its use did not improve PROM's.