Effectiveness of L-PRF socket filling in three-dimensional alveolar ridge preservation

Objectives: To define the effectiveness of the use leukocyte and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) filling versus healing of the socket naturally with a blood clot in the clinical, radiographic and volumetric alveolar ridge preservation of post-extraction socket teeth.
Methods: A split-mouth randomized clinical trial was designed according to CONSORT statement and clinical trial register (ISRCTN34932978). Sixteen healthy patients (age 24.62 ± 5.61 years, 56.25% women) who needed bilateral extraction of upper third molars participated. After the extraction, the socket was filled distributed randomly with L-PRF according to the previously published protocol of Choukroun et al., versus the contralateral socket only with the blood clot (figure 1). The dimensional change was quantified between the initial healing and the 3rd month after third molar surgery. Thus, the soft tissue healing around the sockets; the length, depth and difference of bone formation by Gray Scale Value was standardized using retroalveolar radiographs (figure 2); and the volume of the socket area with three-dimensional scanning of the dental cast were measured (figure 3) (t-test p <0.05, STATA v.14.0).
Results: No significant differences were found in radiographic measurements, soft tissue healing contour and volumetric changes of alveolar socket with L-PRF filling versus the use of blood clot at three months post-exodontics (p <0.05).
Conclusions: L-PRF filling showed the same dimensional and volumetric behavior as normal blood clot healing in the alveolar ridge preservation of post-extraction socket teeth.