Platelet-rich Plasma and Incidence of Alveolar Osteitis in High-risk Patients Undergoing Extractions of Mandibular Molars: A Case–control Study

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the efficiency of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on the incidence of alveolar osteitis (AO) in patients with potential risk factors for the development of AO. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted in 150 patients visiting the outpatient department of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Patients with potential risk factors for the development of AO which included smokers, alcoholics, postmenopausal women, patients on oral contraceptives, pericoronitis, and bruxism were included for the study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. Group A consisted of 75 patients in which PRP was placed in the socket after extraction. Group B consisted of 75 patients in which sockets were left for normal healing without the placement of PRP. The patients were assessed for pain and dry socket on the 3(rd) and 5(th) postoperative day. RESULTS: All the local signs and symptoms of inflammation were mild to moderate and subsided in normal course of time. Pain was less in Group A where the extraction sockets were treated with PRP. Soft-tissue healing was also statistically significant on the PRP treated site when compared to the other group where PRP was not placed into the socket after extraction. The incidence of AO among the patients who have the potential risk factor for the development of the same was significantly reduced in Group A. CONCLUSION: The study showed that autologous PRP is a biocompatible material and has significantly improved the process of soft-tissue healing, reduced pain, and decreased the incidence of AO in the extraction socket when treated with PRP.