Subcutaneous platelet-rich fibrin Infiltration After Wisdom Tooth Extraction Reduces Pain, Swelling, and Speeds Healing: Study
Researchers have found in a randomized controlled clinical trial that submucosal infiltration of injectable platelet-rich fibrin (i-PRF) after impacted lower third molar extraction significantly reduced postoperative pain and swelling, while also enhancing wound healing. Wisdom tooth removal is one of the most common oral surgical procedures, and patients often struggle with discomfort, tissue inflammation, and slow recovery in the immediate postoperative period. This study provides evidence that platelet-derived biomaterials may offer a simple and effective solution to these challenges.
The research, published in Clinical Oral Investigations (Aliberti et al., 2025), highlights the therapeutic value of i-PRF, a product made from a patient’s own blood without the use of additives or anticoagulants.
By injecting i-PRF directly into the surgical site following extraction, the investigators reported noticeable reductions in pain intensity and swelling when compared with the control group. Patients treated with i-PRF also demonstrated faster wound closure and tissue regeneration during clinical follow-up. Since platelet-rich fibrin contains high levels of growth factors that stimulate new blood vessel formation and cellular repair, its application appears to accelerate natural healing pathways.
The findings are significant for oral surgery practice, where improving patient comfort and recovery times are central goals. Because i-PRF can be prepared chairside with minimal equipment and carries no risk of allergic reaction or rejection, it offers a cost-effective and biologically compatible adjunct to standard surgical care. The authors emphasize that while additional large-scale studies are necessary, this trial supports incorporating regenerative, patient-derived biomaterials into routine dental procedures. For clinicians and patients, i-PRF represents an innovative step toward reducing the burden of postoperative complications and improving quality of recovery after wisdom tooth removal.
Reference: Aliberti, Angelo, et al. “Using Injectable Platelet-Rich Fibrin to Improve Recovery After Impacted Lower Third Molar Extraction: a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.” Clinical Oral Investigations, vol. 29, no. 10, 2025, p. 467.
