title: Effect of plasma rich in growth factors on alveolar osteitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The high prevalence of dry socket or alveolar osteitis (AO) is of concern in surgical removal of third molars. The aim of the present study was to assess the preventive effect of plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) on AO and also its effect on pain management and healing acceleration in third molar extraction sockets of high-risk patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  This split-mouth, double-blind clinical trial included 40 bilateral third molar extractions (80 sockets) with at least one identified risk factor for AO. PRGF was obtained from patient's own blood, based on manufacturer's instruction, and blindly placed in one of the two bilateral sockets (PRGF group; n = 20) of each patient. The contralateral socket was treated with a placebo (control group; n = 20). Samples were evaluated for AO and pain incidence on days 2, 3 and 4 and healing and infection on days 3 and 7. Data were analyzed in SPSS v16 using Wilcoxon test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant difference in dry socket and pain incidence and healing rate between the two groups. Intensity of pain and occurrence of dry socket in the study group was lower than the controls. Also the healing rate was higher (P < 0.05) for the PRGF group. No sign of infection was seen in either group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The application of PRGF may significantly reduce the incidence of AO or its associated pain and may accelerate healing. The prophylactic use of PRGF following third molar extraction may be suggested especially in the patients at risk of AO.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, Islamic Azad University, Dental Branch, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Afshin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Haraji
authors.forename: Eshagh
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lassemi
authors.forename: Mohammad Hosein Kalantar
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Motamedi
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alavi
authors.forename: Saman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Adibnejad