Comparison of Platelet-Rich Fibrin and Iodoform Gauze in the Treatment of Localized Alveolitis

Abstract

Iodoform gauze is commonly used to treat patients with localized alveolitis; however, saliva can easily dilute the iodoform concentration. This study aimed to compare the efficacies of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) and iodoform gauze in treating localized alveolitis. This prospective randomized controlled trial enrolled patients with localized alveolitis who received treatment at our hospital from January 2018 to July 2021. They were randomly assigned to the control (treated with iodoform gauze) or experimental (treated with PRF) groups. Treatment method was the predictor variable. The primary outcome variable was clinical efficacy, defined as symptom resolution 1week after treatment. Secondary outcome variables included granulation tissue (GT) quantitative score, analgesic drug dosage, and pain score determined using a visual analog scale (VAS). Patient demographics were used as covariates. Data analysis was performed by carrying out the χ2 and Mann-Whitney rank sum tests; P values <.05 indicated statistical significance. This study included 60 patients, equally and randomly divided into the control and PRF groups (n=30 each). There were no significant differences in demographic characteristics of patients between the 2 groups. One week after treatment, the PRF group showed a higher healing rate (93.3% vs 60.0%) and better GT quantitative score (3.13±0.63 vs 1.70±0.75) than the control group (P<.05). Moreover, the number of analgesic tablets consumed within 1week postoperatively was lesser in the PRF group than in the control group (3.93±1.53 vs 9.67±3.16, P<.05). The PRF group exhibited significantly lower VAS pain scores than those of the control group on the 3rd day (1.10±1.03 vs 4.17±1.49) and 7th day (0.30±0.60 vs 1.73±1.44, P<.05) postoperatively. Compared with iodoform gauze, PRF is associated with higher healing rate, faster promotion of GT growth in the extraction socket, better relief of alveolar pain, and lower intake of analgesic drugs when treating localized alveolitis.