A recent single-blinded, prospective, randomized controlled trial recommended platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) as a valuable supplementary measure in mitigating post-operative inflammatory sequelae following surgical extraction of impacted mandibular third molars. This study sought to examine the benefits of employing autologous PRF on post-operative pain, facial swelling, and trismus after dental surgery.

A total of 90 individuals (aged 18 to 35 years) undergoing surgical extraction of third molars under local anesthesia were recruited for this study. Participants were randomly assigned to either the PRF or non-PRF group, receiving PRF or a blood clot in the extraction socket, respectively. Post-operative pain was the primary endpoint while facial swelling and trismus were assessed as secondary outcomes.

Longitudinal data assessment, considering potential confounding factors, was performed with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. The PRF group exhibited substantially lower pain scores (3.02 mm; p < 0.001, Figure 1), reduced facial swelling (0.55%; p = 0.01), and decreased trismus (4.52%; p = 0.05) when compared to the non-PRF group.

These results imply a potential advantageous influence of employing PRF on the inflammatory consequences linked to third molar surgeries.