title: Evaluation of osteoblastic activity in extraction sockets treated with platelet-rich fibrin.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine whether the use of platelet rich fibrin (PRF) improved the healing of extraction sockets.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 20 patients with bilateral soft tissue impacted mandibular third molars were included in this study. The left and right third molars were extracted during the same session. Subsequently, the PRF membrane was randomly administered to one of the extraction sockets, whereas the contralateral sockets were left without treatment. On postoperative 30. and 90. days, panoramic images and bone scintigrams were taken to evaluate the bone healing between PRF-treated and non-PRF-treated sockets. Also, periodontal evaluation was performed in the same control sessions. Dependent group t test for paired samples was used for statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average increase in technetium-99m methylene diphosphonate uptake as an indication of enhanced bone healing did not differ significantly between PRF-treated and non-PRF-treated sockets 30 and 90 days postoperatively. Radio-opacity that can show the bone healing on panoramic images were measured by Image J programme and they did not differ significantly. Also periodontal values did not differ significantly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PRF might not lead to enhanced bone healing in impacted mandibular third molar extraction sockets 30 and 90 days after surgery. It is thought that PRF has the potential characteristics of an autologous fibrin matrix and can accelerate the healing. To better understand the effects of PRF on healing, further research is warranted with larger sample sizes.
authors.affiliation: Hacettepe University Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Oral Surgery, 06100 Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey, ozgurbaslarli@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ozgur
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Baslarli
authors.forename: Celal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tumer
authors.forename: Omer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ugur
authors.forename: Betul
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vatankulu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001792:Blood Platelets; D005260:Female; D005337:Fibrin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000502:physiology*; D020390:Tooth Socket; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000601:surgery; D014945:Wound Healing; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D005337:Fibrin