Short-Term Bone Healing in Anterior Maxillary Sockets Using L-PRF With or Without Synthetic HA/β-TCP: A Randomized...

Area of Science:

• Oral surgery and regenerative medicine
• Biomaterials and tissue engineering

Background:

• Tooth extraction can negatively impact alveolar bone and soft tissue, complicating dental implant placement.
• Leukocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) is a biomaterial utilized to enhance wound healing and tissue regeneration.
• Grafting materials are often employed for alveolar ridge preservation to ensure successful implant outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate and compare the efficacy of L-PRF alone versus L-PRF combined with a biphasic calcium phosphate graft (HA/β-TCP) for post-extraction socket healing.
• To assess new bone formation (NBF) and suitability for subsequent dental implant placement after eight weeks.

Main Methods:

• Fifteen patients requiring alveolar ridge preservation underwent tooth extraction and immediate socket grafting.
• Sockets were randomized into four groups: control (blood clot), autogenous bone graft (AB), L-PRF membrane (LPRF), and L-PRF with HA/β-TCP (LPRFHA).
• Histomorphometric analysis of bone biopsies at 8 weeks quantified NBF using ImageJ software; statistical analysis employed one-way ANOVA.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in NBF were found between autogenous bone graft, L-PRF, and L-PRFHA groups.
• L-PRF and autogenous bone graft demonstrated comparable new bone formation.
• The control group (blood clot only) exhibited significantly greater NBF (62.4%) compared to the LPRFHA group (55.8%).

Conclusions:

• L-PRF, used alone or combined with HA/β-TCP, is a viable option for alveolar ridge preservation in maxillary sockets.
• These treatments facilitate effective ridge preservation, enabling early dental implant loading at eight weeks.
• Despite successful bone formation across all groups, the natural blood clot yielded the highest percentage of new bone.