Impact of L-PRF on pain and healing outcomes in lower third molar surgery: a randomized split-mouth trial

Braz Oral Res. 2024 Sep 13:38:e089. doi: 10.1590/1807-3107bor-2024.vol38.0089. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

This study explored the effects of L-PRF on pain, soft tissue healing, periodontal condition, and post-extraction bone repair of mandibular third molars (3Ms). A randomized, prospective, triple-blind, split-mouth clinical trial was conducted with 34 volunteers. Eligible patients were randomly allocated into two treatments: G1 (without L-PRF), G2 (alveoli filled with L-PRF), in which the removal of bilateral 3Ms was performed at the same surgical time. Outcomes were assessed according to a visual analogue scale (pain), soft tissue scoring system (wound healing), periodontal probing of mandibular second molar. Bone repair was determined by volumetric analysis (ITK-SNAP software) and fractal analysis (ImageJ software). An intention-to-treat approach to Statistical analysis was used. L-PRF reduced pain in the 7-day postoperative follow-up (p = 0.019) and not only improved soft tissue healing after 1 month of follow-up (p = 0.021), but also probing depth (distal face) in 3 months postoperatively (p = 0.011). Significant alveolar reduction occurred in 3 months after surgery in both treatments (p < 0.05), however, this was more significant in G1 (p = 0.016). The fractal dimension showed no statistical differences. L-PRF improved postoperative clinical parameters of pain, soft tissue healing, and periodontal condition, suggesting that it has a beneficial effect on preserving the alveolar ridge and accelerating the initial repair process.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Fractals
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mandible / surgery
  • Molar, Third* / surgery
  • Pain Measurement*
  • Pain, Postoperative* / etiology
  • Prospective Studies
  • Reference Values
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Time Factors
  • Tooth Extraction* / methods
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Visual Analog Scale
  • Wound Healing*
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

The authors thank the Brazilian Society of Dental Research (SBPqO) for the opportunity to present this study at 40th Annual Meeting of the SBPqO, where it was awarded first place. Furthermore, this work was partially supported by the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) which provided a PQ fellowship in category 2 to Dr. Fábio Costa (process number 315479/2021-3). Dr. Marcela Gurgel is supported by the Fundação Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico post-doctoral fellowship (process number FPD-0213-00294.01.00/23).