Does platelet‐rich fibrin enhance the outcomes of peri-implant soft tissues? A systematic review
Enrica Giammarinaro, Nicola Baldini, Ugo Covani, María Menini, Paolo Pesce, Simone Marconcini
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Improving soft tissue quality and quantity around dental implants is crucial for successful outcomes. Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) is showing promise in enhancing wound healing and implant stability. This systematic review aims to evaluate the clinical benefits of PRF in soft tissue regeneration around dental implants compared to standard methods. METHODS: This systematic review adhered to the PRISMA guidelines and utilizing the PICO methodology, investigated the use of Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) in soft tissue augmentation during implant therapy. The primary outcomes assessed include the width of keratinized mucosa and soft tissue thickness, comparing PRF interventions to standard techniques.The study included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and comparative studies, focusing on human patients needing implant therapy with or without PRF. An extensive search of databases and manual references was conducted; data extraction involved assessing study quality and risk of bias, but due to high heterogeneity among studies, a meta-analysis was not feasible, leading to a systematic review of the available literature. RESULTS: A total of 766 references were initially identified, with 29 being eligible after screening. Nine studies were included for detailed review. The findings revealed that PRF is effective in increasing the width of keratinized mucosa (KT) and soft tissue thickness (STT) around implants. Even if free gingival grafts (FGG) sometimes performed better. However, the differences between PRF and FGG were not clinically significant, and PRF offers lower cost, ease of use, and reduced morbidity. There was limited information on the esthetic outcomes of PRF, with only two studies addressing this aspect, showing mixed results. CONCLUSION: Overall, PRF demonstrated positive effects on KT width and STT, but further research with rigorous methodology and larger sample sizes is needed to better understand its impact on implants health and esthetics.