Effectiveness of PRP in Reduction of Localized Alveolitis in Young Adult Patients

Localized alveolitis, commonly known as dry socket, is a painful post-extraction complication that occurs when the blood clot at the site of the tooth extraction disintegrates. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), an autologous concentration of platelets in plasma, has been proposed to enhance wound healing and reduce the incidence of alveolitis.

This randomized controlled trial included 100 young adult patients aged 18-35 undergoing mandibular third molar extractions. The patients were randomly assigned to the PRP group (n = 50) or the control group (n = 50). In the PRP group, PRP was prepared from the patient's blood and applied to the extraction site immediately after tooth removal. In the control group, no additional treatment was applied. The primary outcome was the incidence of localized alveolitis within 7 days post-extraction. Secondary outcomes included pain levels assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) and wound healing evaluated clinically.

The incidence of localized alveolitis was significantly lower in the PRP group (6%) compared to the control group (20%) (P < 0.05). Patients in the PRP group reported lower pain scores on the VAS at 3 and 7 days post-extraction, with mean scores of 2.5 and 1.2, respectively, compared to 4.0 and 2.8 in the control group. Clinical evaluation showed enhanced wound healing in the PRP group, with fewer signs of inflammation and better epithelialization.

The application of PRP significantly reduces the incidence of localized alveolitis and accelerates wound healing in young adult patients following mandibular third molar extractions. PRP is a promising adjunctive treatment that enhances postoperative recovery and patient comfort.