Comparative Evaluation of Soft Tissue Healing after Socket Preservation Technique Using Gelatin Sponge with or Without iPRF, In Systemically Healthy Adult Individuals: Split-Mouth Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Abstract

Introduction: Post-dental extraction, the alveolar ridge undergoes changes that compromise the surrounding soft and hard tissues. A randomized clinical trial was performed to compare the soft tissue healing after socket preservation technique using gelatin sponge with/without iPRF, over a 6-weeks follow-up period.

Material and Methods: The present study was carried out at 46 sites, of which 23 sockets received gelatin sponge soaked in injectable platelet rich fibrin (iPRF) (test) and other 23 sockets received gelatin sponge only (control). Horizontal and vertical dimension of alveolar ridge were measured at baseline and 6-weeks and wound healing was assessed at 1, 3 and 6-weeks postoperatively.
Results: The findings indicated that the intervention significantly reduced both buccal and palatal ridge loss compared to the control group (p=0.01). As for the healing index, the test group had a mean healing index of 4.15, which was higher than the control group's 3.05 (p = 0.01). These results indicate that the intervention led to superior tissue healing throughout the study period.

Conclusion: The horizontal and vertical bone loss was less in the test group than in the control group. It also significantly improved soft tissue healing after tooth extraction at 1, 3 and 6-weeks postoperatively.