Healing evaluation by means of Optical Coherence Tomography of an extraction socket with L-PRF application in a patient at ONJ risk: a case report

BACKGROUND: Blood products have been widely used in soft tissue and bone regeneration in oral and maxillofacial surgery. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of leukocyte-platelet rich fibrin (L-PRF) following direct sinus lifting procedure. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients were included in the study. Direct sinus lifting was performed via lateral window approach under conscious sedation and local anesthesia. Bony window and sinus floor elevation were performed using piezosurgery device. Two groups were formed. In the first group an allogenous bone graft and L-PRF mixture was used as grafting material. The L-PRF membrane was used to close the lateral window. In the second group, only allogenous bone was used for grafting and resorbable collagen membrane was used to close the lateral window. Pain, swelling, sleeping, eating, phonetics, activities of daily living, missed work days and soft tissue healing were evaluated postoperatively. RESULTS: Data of 24 patients were evaluated. Improvements were seen in the studied parameters in the L-PRF group; however, the difference was not significant between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The use of L-PRF and allogenous bone graft in combination with L-PRF membrane does not significantly improve postoperative complications following direct sinus lifting.