Alveolar Ridge Preservation with Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF) to avoid gingival clefts after orthodontic space closure

• Applicant: Dr. Eric Kutschera
• Subject Area: Dentistry, Oral Surgery
• Term: from 2019 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 427709178

Various techniques for alveolar ridge preservation, e. g. the insertion of platelet rich fibrin (PRF) directly after tooth extraction have been established in dental surgery. Gingival clefts are frequent, undesirable side-effects of orthodontic space closure after tooth extraction and can be interpreted as the result of an unfavorable relation between neo genesis and resorption of the involved hard and soft tissues in the area of tooth extraction. They are associated with an obstruction of orthodontic space closure, space re-opening that may cause interdental food impaction, increased gingival and periodontal inflammatory reactions as well as additional localized microbial colonization. This project aims to analyze a possible positive impact of PRF for the avoidance or reduction of gingival clefts during and after orthodontic space closure by means of an observational study. If the use of PRF in extraction sockets would show to be effective for the prevention of gingival clefts, this could lead to a recommendation for the surgical procedure in orthodontic extraction cases in daily practice.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants