Platelet-Rich Fibrin in MRONJ Management: A Prospective Comparative Study on Its Effectiveness in Prevention and Treatment.

Background and

Objectives

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) was first recognized as a disease entity and reported in the literature in 2003. Within a few years, the incidence of MRONJ has increased significantly, to the point where now it can be seen in every dental clinic around the world. Its prevention and management still remain major challenges for dentists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Materials and Materials and

Methods

This prospective clinical study was conducted at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic in Timisoara for a 6-month period and included a total of 85 patients under chronic antiresorptive and antiangiogenic medication. There were two groups of patients: G1 received PRF growth factors, while the other group, G2, was treated with classical surgical methods. Post-operative wound healing was assessed at 2, 4, and 8 weeks by monitoring the absence of local gingival dehiscence, suprainfection, or loco-regional fistulas, both in cases of dental extractions and sequestrectomies in MRONJ cases.

Results

The use of PRF in post-extraction sockets in patients predisposed to developing MRONJ aids in local healing in 96% of cases, compared to cases where it was not used, in which normal healing occurred in only 64.29% of patients; there was a significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.016). In MRONJ confirmed cases, application of PRF after excisional debridement of necrotic bone does not appear to have the same therapeutic value as in post-extractional sockets, with a p-value of 0.299 indicating no statistical significance.

Conclusions

PRF use can be considered an effective approach in preventing osteonecrotic complications following dental extractions in patients with antiresorptive treatment. Additional studies are needed to establish its role in MRONJ confirmed cases.