title: Dimensional changes of the post extraction alveolar ridge, preserved with Leukocyte- and Platelet Rich Fibrin: A clinical pilot study.
abstract: This clinical trial explored the clinical and radiographic dimensional changes of the alveolar ridge in the first 4 months after tooth extraction in combination with the application of Leukocyte- and Platelet Rich Fibrin (L-PRF).
  
  
  
  Eighteen single rooted maxillary and mandibular sockets were filled with L-PRF without soft tissue closure. Clinical measurements (bone sounding) were performed using a customized acrylic stent and radiographic measurements were accomplished using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT), immediately after tooth extraction and after 4 months.
  
  
  
  The clinical observations indicated a mean horizontal resorption of 1.18±2.4mm (p=0.8) at the crest, 1.25±2.0mm (p=0.57) and 0.83±2.0mm (p=0.78) at 2mm and 4mm apical to the crest, respectively. The buccal plate demonstrated a mean vertical loss of 0.44±3.5mm (p=0.9), the centre of the socket had a significant filling of 5.72±3.6mm (p=0.0001) and the oral cortical plate had a mean vertical gain of 0.09mm±1.57mm (p=0.9). The radiographic analysis demonstrated a mean vertical bone loss of 0.27±2.5mm (p=0.9) on the buccal and of 0.03±1.6mm (p=0.9) at the oral crest. The width of the alveolar ridge had a mean loss of 1.33mm±1.43mm.
  
  
  
  Within the limitations of this pilot study, it can be concluded that L-PRF might show clinical benefits for ridge preservation.
authors.affiliation: Periodontology and Oral Implantology, University of the Andes, Chile.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Anwandter
authors.affiliation: Oral Prosthetic and Surgical Implantology, University of the Andes, Chile.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bohmann
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of the Andes, Chile.
authors.forename: Mauricio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nally
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Health Sciences, KU Leuven & Dentistry, University Hospitals Leuven, Periodontology, Belgium. Electronic address: anabelen.castrosarda@kuleuven.be.
authors.forename: Ana B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Castro
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Health Sciences, KU Leuven & Dentistry, University Hospitals Leuven, Periodontology, Belgium.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Quirynen
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of the Andes, Chile; Department of Oral Health Sciences, KU Leuven & Dentistry, University Hospitals Leuven, Periodontology, Belgium.
authors.forename: Nelson
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pinto
mesh_terms: D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss; D000539:Alveolar Process; D007962:Leukocytes; D010865:Pilot Projects; D000073183:Platelet-Rich Fibrin; D014081:Tooth Extraction; D020390:Tooth Socket
keywords: Cone-beam computed tomography; Extraction socket; Leucocyte and platelet rich fibrin; Ridge preservation; Socket preservation; Tissue regeneration