title: Potential for Osseous Regeneration of Platelet-Rich Fibrin-A Comparative Study in Mandibular Third Molar Impaction Sockets.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated the potential of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) for osseous regeneration and soft tissue healing in mandibular third molar impaction sockets.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective in vivo study was performed. Randomization was performed after extraction. On one side, the socket was sutured primarily (control site); on the other side, autologous PRF gel was placed and then the socket was sutured (test site). Postoperatively, grid periapical radiographs were obtained at periodic intervals (weeks 1, 4, and 16) and digitalized. Gray-level values were measured at 3 different regions of the socket (for regions of newly formed bone) compared with the natural bone area using HL Image++ software, and the percentage bone fill was measured. Clinical evaluation of soft tissue healing was performed using the healing index of Landry et al (J Periodontol 60:212, 1994) at the specific intervals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty healthy men and women (age range, 18 to 35 yr) with bilaterally impacted mandibular third molars were enrolled in this study. In general, there was markedly greater bone formation in sockets treated with PRF (P < .05). In the PRF group, the average gray-level values at the cervical, middle, and apical regions were 61.85 (standard deviation [SD], ±25.186), 64.54 (SD, ±24.831), and 67.80 (SD, ±23.946), respectively, with a mean value of 64.73 (SD, ±24.411). In the control group, these values were 51.58 (SD, ±15.286), 54.30 (SD, ±16.274), and 57.53 (SD, ±16.187), respectively, with a mean of 53.67 (SD, ±16.528). The average percentage of bone fill in the PRF group was 57.90 (SD, ±26.789) and that of the non-PRF group was 46.74 (SD, ±17.713; P < .05). Soft tissue healing as evaluated by the healing index of Landry et al also was found to be better at the PRF test site and it was statistically significant (P < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was evidence for better osseous regeneration and soft tissue healing in response to PRF. Further investigations to evaluate the application of PRF in other areas of oral and maxillofacial surgery are imperative.
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, PMS College of Dental Sciences and Research, Trivandrum, Kerala, India. Electronic address: mathewstar@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mathew P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Varghese
authors.affiliation: Former Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, PMS College of Dental Sciences and Research, Trivandrum, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Suvy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Manuel
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head of Department, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, PMS College of Dental Sciences and Research, Trivandrum, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Surej
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumar L K
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001861:Bone Regeneration; D005260:Female; D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery*; D053657:Platelet-Rich Plasma; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020390:Tooth Socket / Q000601:surgery*; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive