Composite Alloplastic Biomaterial vs. Autologous Platelet-Rich Fibrin in Ridge Preservation

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the clinical and histological differences of using a combination of alloplastic beta triphasic calcium phosphate (β-TCP) and a cross-linked collagen membrane versus autologous platelet-rich fibrin (PRF-L) in ridge preservation after dental extraction. Material and methods: Fifty-one patients were included in this observational case-series study. Dental extractions were performed, after which 25 patients were grafted with β-TCP and 26 with PRF-L. After four months of healing, clinical, radiological, histomorphometric and histological evaluations were performed. Results: A significantly higher percentage of mineralized tissue was observed in samples from the PRF-L grafted areas. Cellularity was higher in PRF-L grafted areas (osteocytes in newly formed bone per mm2 = 123.25 (5.12) vs. 84.02 (26.53) for PRF-L and β-TCP, respectively, p = 0.01). However, sockets grafted with PRF-L showed a higher reduction in the bucco-lingual dimension after four months of healing (2.19 (0.80) vs. 1.16 (0.55) mm, p < 0.001), as well as a higher alteration in the final position of the mid muco-gingival junction (1.73 (1.34) vs. 0.88 (0.88) mm, p < 0.01). Conclusion: PRF-L concentrate accelerates wound healing in post-extraction sockets in terms of new mineralized tissue component. However, the use of β-TCP biomaterial appears to be superior to maintain bucco-lingual volume and the final position of the muco-gingival junction.