Clinical effects of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) following surgical extraction of lower third molar

Objective The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) on postoperative pain, analgesic consumption, soft tissue healing and socket complications following the extraction of mandibular third molars. Methods A total number of 50 impacted third molars were surgically removed from 47 patients (13 males and 34 females; with a mean age of 25.24 ± 7.04 years). PRF clots were placed in the extraction sockets of patients included in the study group, while the sockets remained empty in the control group. The variables assessed were pain, analgesic consumption, soft tissue healing and socket complications encountered during the first postoperative week. Results In the study group, a significantly less pain was recorded in the fifth, sixth and seventh postoperative days (P = 0.041, 0.031 and 0.005 respectively). Patients included in the study group also significantly consumed less analgesics for the second, third, sixth and seventh postoperative days (P = 0.019, 0.039, 0.045 and 0.020 respectively). PRF significantly reduced the incidence of alveolar osteitis (P = 0.037) but not the infected or inflamed sockets (P = 1.00 and 0.312 respectively). No significant difference was observed between PRF and control groups regarding soft tissue healing (P = 0.187). Conclusion PRF could reduce alveolar osteitis, pain, and analgesic consumption following removal of impacted mandibular third molars.