Potential effects of advanced platelet rich fibrin as a wound-healing accelerator in the management of alveolar osteitis: A randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the present study was to determine whether the use of advanced platelet rich fibrin based on the low speed⁺ centrifugation concept (A-PRF⁺) might improve the pain management and healing of delayed wound healing among cases of alveolar osteitis following mandibular third molar extraction.

Materials and methods: The patients (N = 40) with a complaint of alveolar osteitis following third molar extractions were divided into two groups: Group I (control; saline only); and Group II (use of A-PRF⁺). Pain was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS). Soft tissue healing was assessed by the modified Index of Landry, Turnbull and Howley and bone density was assessed with the i-Dixel 2.1.8.2 software. Inter-group comparisons were analyzed by means of a student t-test and the Mann Whitney U test to identify group samples. Analysis of variance and the Friedman test were applied for repeated measurements. The Wilcoxon test and Bonferroni's test for multiple comparisons were conducted at the time-factor level. Yates Correction was used to compare qualitative data.

Results: In regard to pain, A-PRF⁺ application demonstrated rapidly and continually reduced pain intensity at each respective time in comparison to the control. Statistically, the healing rates of epithelium and hard tissue were significantly faster in the A-PRF⁺ application group (p: 0.000, P < 0.05).

Conclusions: The results show that A-PRF⁺ might represent an improved and accelerating therapeutic development for hard and soft tissue healing in management of alveolar osteitis that is also effective in reducing pain.

Keywords: A-PRF; Alveolar osteitis; inflammation; platelets; wound healing.