Effect of platelet-rich fibrin palatal bandage on pain scores and wound healing after free gingival graft: a randomized controlled clinical trial
Abstract
Objective
This
prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted to determine
whether the application of a platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) palatal bandage
after harvesting free gingival grafts (FGG) would improve healing of
donor sites and decrease pain scores and patient discomfort.
Materials and methods
Twenty-four
patients received FGG to augment keratinized tissue dimensions. The
application of a PRF bandage was decided randomly (n = 12
in each group). Patients reported their pain levels for the first
7 days of healing using the visual analog scale (VAS), 101-point
numerical rating scale (NRS-101), and 4-point verbal rating scale
(VRS-4). The patients’ pre-operative anxiety levels were measured using
three anxiety scales. The healing of the donor sites was evaluated and
compared to preoperative records. Data were assessed and recorded before
surgery and at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8 weeks postoperatively.
Results
Dental
anxiety and state-trait anxiety were evaluated at baseline and
correlated to the postoperative pain scores. There were no significant
differences in anxiety levels between the two groups; yet, they could
potentially influence the outcome of any surgery and were included as
covariates. The patients in the PRF group reported significantly lower
pain scores and their pain levels returned to baseline levels earlier,
compared to the control group.
Conclusions
PRF palatal bandages significantly reduced postoperative pain and discomfort and facilitated wound healing after harvesting FGG.
Clinical relevance
The
study provided evaluation of patient-centered outcomes, which is
timely, significant, and could benefit both periodontists and patients.
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