Can Platelet Rich Fibrin enhance the role of alloplastic bone graft in socket preservation: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Socket preservation aims at limiting the resorptive events that occurs as a consequence of tooth extraction. Besides the use of autologous and commercially available graft materials, there has been an increasing shift towards the utilization of biological substitutes like Platelet Rich Fibrin for socket preservation. : A randomized clinical trial was conducted in fourteen extraction sites, out of which seven were filled with alloplastic bone graft material alone (control group) and rest were filled with alloplastic bone graft material along with PRF (test group). The sites were assessed clinically and radiographically at baseline and six months post treatment. The mean +/- SD was calculated for alveolar ridge width and height. Although alveolar ridge width and height reduced significantly in the span of six months in both test and control groups, there was no statistically significant intergroup difference in both groups at six months post treatment in these parameters. Wound healing was comparatively better in the test group compared to the control group initially, but at the end of the study period both groups attained same level of healing. Even though alveolar socket preservation has a clinically significant effect on preserving the residual ridge dimensions, use of PRF as an adjunct to alloplastic bone graft in socket preservation procedure has no additional benefit over alloplastic bone graft material alone.