Socket Plug technique with PRF?
As PRF becomes more popular in regenerative procedures, it will be important to assess how to best incorporate the material with various techniques, such as socket grafting. A recent study 1, evaluated the efficacy of Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF) as a socket plug with or without use of Plaster of Paris (POP) as bone substitute to preserve the alveolar ridge, post-extraction. (Note: Plaster of Paris is known medically as calcium sulfate, and is sold commercially under various names, including Dentogen or Bond Apatite).
The authors conclude that:
We found that results in the sockets where we have grafted POP showed better ridge preservation and post-operative comfort, even though the difference in ridge resorption between the three groups was not statistically significant…Atraumatic extraction may minimise the post-operative pain and discomfort to patient as well as the post-extraction alveolar height and width changes. The use of PRF and/or bone substitute, even though clinically contributes to better post-operative healing and minimal loss of alveolar width and height, the values were not statistically significant. Read More
If you use PRF in your practice for a socket, do you use it alone or with a grafting material? What has been your clinical experience?
1.To assess the efficacy of socket plug technique using platelet rich fibrin with or without the use of bone substitute in alveolar ridge preservation: a prospective randomised controlled study.. Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2018 Jun;22(2):135-142. Girish Kumar N et. al.
