Dimensional changes of the post extraction alveolar ridge, preserved with Leukocyte- and Platelet Rich Fibrin: A clinical pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: 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).

METHODS: 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.

RESULTS: 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.

CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this pilot study, it can be concluded that L-PRF might show clinical benefits for ridge preservation.