Selected Research on Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) in Wisdom Tooth Surgery
The studies below summarize selected findings from published research evaluating Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) and related platelet concentrates in wisdom tooth extraction healing.
Multiple clinical studies and systematic reviews have investigated the potential role of PRF in reducing postoperative discomfort and enhancing healing after third molar (wisdom tooth) surgery.
Across the literature, commonly reported findings include improvements in:
Postoperative pain.
Swelling and inflammation.
Dry socket rates in some studies.
Early soft tissue healing.
Pain medication use.
Brief summaries of selected findings are included below.
Selected Studies
Local Application of Platelet-Rich Fibrin During Lower Third Molar Extraction Improves Treatment Outcomes.Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2017. PRF was associated with reduced pain, swelling, and dry socket risk following lower wisdom tooth removal.
Healing of Postextraction Sockets Preserved with Autologous Platelet Concentrates: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2017. This review reported improved soft tissue healing, improved bone density measurements, and reduced swelling and trismus with platelet concentrates in extraction sites.
Evaluation of Treatment Outcome After Impacted Third Molar Surgery With the Use of Autologous Platelet-Rich Fibrin: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Study. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2015. Patients treated with PRF experienced reduced pain and swelling, along with improved bone density at 1- and 3-month follow-up intervals.
Effects of Leukocyte- and Platelet-Rich Fibrin Alone and Combined With Hyaluronic Acid on Pain, Edema, and Trismus After Surgical Extraction of Impacted Mandibular Third Molars. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2018. PRF was associated with reduced postoperative swelling after wisdom tooth surgery.
Can Plasma Rich in Growth Factors Expedite Healing of Postextraction Tooth Sockets in Patients Undergoing Urgent Liver Transplantation? Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. In this study, extraction sites treated with plasma-rich growth factors (PRGF) demonstrated accelerated healing compared to untreated sites.
Application of Platelet-Rich Fibrin Derivatives for Mandibular Third Molar Extraction Related Post-Operative Sequelae: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2021. L-PRF demonstrated improvement in postoperative pain outcomes, while A-PRF showed favorable soft tissue healing results.
Efficacy and Safety of Concentrated Growth Factor Fibrin on the Extraction of Mandibular Third Molars. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2022. Patients treated with concentrated growth factors (CGF) demonstrated reduced pain, improved bone regeneration, improved periodontal measurements behind the second molar, and no dry socket cases within the study group.
Evaluation of the Effects of Platelet-Rich Fibrin and Piezosurgery on Outcomes After Removal of Impacted Mandibular Third Molars. British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2016. This study compared traditional extraction techniques and piezosurgery with and without PRF placement. Patients receiving PRF reported less postoperative pain and reduced pain medication use.
Below: A microscopic view of blood — red blood cells, platelets (green), and white blood cells (the orange puffs). PRF concentrates the platelets and white blood cells to support healing.
