Alveolar Socket Healing with and without PRGF
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Characterisation of Wound Healing in the Dental Extraction Socket with and without Plasma Rich in Growth Factors (PRGF). A Pilot Study
IRAS ID
279109
Contact name
Nikos Donos
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen Mary University London (QMUL)
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
The study aims to characterise wound healing events in the dental extraction socket with and without plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) taking place during early days of healing after a dental extraction and their relation to clinical and histological outcomes after 90 days of healing. The early healing events of the post-extraction socket will be characterized in terms of volumetric changes in relation to intra-oral thermographic changes, blood flowgraphy, molecular (proteomic) changes, as well as extra-oral integrated geometric thermographic changes in tandem with clinical measures of soft tissue healing and post-operative pain assessment. The early healing events will be analysed in relation to volumetric, clinical and histologic changes of new bone formation after 90 days of healing during dental implant treatment. Dental Implant outcomes will be evaluated up to 12 months after loading.
Lay summary of study results: This study investigated how Plasma Rich in Growth Factors (PRGF) affects the healing of tooth sockets after extraction, compared to natural healing. The researchers looked at changes in the shape and size of the gum and bone, the types of proteins present during healing, the microscopic structure of the newly formed bone, and clinical outcomes like pain and how well the socket healed for future implant placement.
The key results were:
• Early Gum Tissue: In the PRGF-treated sockets, the volume of the gum tissue was significantly higher on the first day after extraction. Also, after 90 days, the height of the gum on the roof of the mouth side was greater in the PRGF group. However, the overall amount of gum and bone loss over 90 days was similar in both groups.
• Healing Proteins: Analysis of wound fluids showed that in the PRGF group during the first 15 days, there were higher levels of proteins involved in cell survival, gum tissue attachment, and collagen formation. At the same time, proteins related to inflammation and blood clot breakdown were less active in the PRGF group.
• Clinical Healing: Both groups showed similar good to excellent clinical healing scores. Pain levels were generally low in both groups, but the control group experienced a peak in pain on day 3.
• Bone Formation and Implant Placement: After 90 days, the amount of new bone formed was similar in both groups. However, in the naturally healed sockets (control group), there was a larger area of connective tissue compared to bone tissue. Importantly, placing dental implants was feasible in all patients in both groups, and the need for additional bone grafting was also similar.In conclusion, while both healing approaches resulted in similar overall gum and bone changes, PRGF treatment appeared to positively influence the early stages of gum tissue healing and the types of proteins involved in the healing process. However, the amount of new bone formed and the ease of implant placement were similar in both groups. The researchers suggest that larger studies are needed to confirm these initial findings.
REC name
London - Bloomsbury Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/LO/0114
Date of REC Opinion
11 Mar 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion