Efficacy of platelet-rich plasma applied to post-extraction retained lower third molar alveoli. A systematic review

Dental retentions have a high prevalence among the general population and their removal can involve multiple complications. The use of platelet rich plasma has been proposed in an attempt to avoid these complications, as it contains high growth factors and stimulates diverse biological functions that facilitate the healing of soft and hard tissues.

To evaluate the available scientific evidence related to the application of platelet-rich plasma in the post-extraction alveoli of a retained lower third molars.

A systematic review of published literature registered in the Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane and NIH databases. The following categories were included: human randomized clinical studies. Key search words were: platelet rich plasma; platelet rich plasma and oral surgery; platelet rich in growth factors and third molar.

Of 101 potentially valid articles, seven were selected, of which four were rejected as they failed to meet quality criteria. Three studies fulfilled all selection and quality criteria: Ogundipe et al.; Rutkowski et al.; Haraji et al. The studies all measured osteoblast activity by means of sintigraphy, and also registered pain, bleeding, inflammation, temperature, numbness as perceived by the patients, radiological bone density and the incidence of alveolar osteitis.

Scientific evidence for the use of PRP in retained third molar surgery is poor. For this reason randomized clinical trials are needed before recommendations for the clinical application of PRP can be made.