Platelet-rich Fibrin (PRF) in Post-extraction Healing and Bone Regeneration: A Critical Narrative Review of the Evidence
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29166/od.v28iEsp.9829Keywords:
Platelet-Rich Fibrin, PRF, Dental Extraction, Bone RegenerationAbstract
Introduction: Dental extraction induces dimensional changes in the alveolar bone that may compromise subsequent rehabilitation. In this context, platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) has been proposed as an autologous biomaterial capable of modulating healing and promoting tissue regeneration; however, the available evidence is heterogeneous and of variable consistency. Objective: To critically analyze the evidence on the use of PRF in post-extraction healing and bone regeneration, considering its clinical impact, methodological limitations, and research gaps. Materials and Methods: A critical narrative review was conducted through a targeted and structured search in biomedical databases. Clinical trials, observational studies, and systematic reviews in English and Spanish were included. The studies were selected according to their clinical relevance and analyzed qualitatively based on their design, sample size, consistency of results, and level of evidence. Results: The evidence confirms significant alveolar bone loss after tooth extraction, with a predominance of horizontal resorption. The use of PRF has been reported to be associated with improvements in early healing and a reduction in dimensional alveolar loss compared with spontaneous healing, although differences in the magnitude of effects were observed among studies. Conclusion: PRF acts as an adjunct in post-extraction healing, with a more consistent effect in the early stages than in long-term bone preservation. Methodological heterogeneity limits the comparability of results and their clinical applicability; therefore, its use cannot be considered a standard strategy for alveolar preservation.
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