Impacted mandibular third molars are among the most commonly encountered conditions in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Surgical removal of these teeth is frequently associated with postoperative complications such as pain, facial swelling, and trismus, which may affect patients' daily activities and quality of life.
Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is an autologous platelet concentrate prepared from the patient's own blood and contains various growth factors that may promote wound healing and reduce postoperative inflammation. The present randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of PRF in reducing postoperative pain, trismus, and facial swelling after surgical removal of mandibular third molars.
Participants with impacted mandibular third molars meeting the eligibility criteria will be randomly allocated into two groups. The intervention group will receive PRF placement in the extraction socket, while the control group will receive sterile absorbable gelatin sponge (Gelfoam) after tooth removal. Postoperative pain, mouth opening, and facial swelling will be assessed preoperatively and on the first and seventh postoperative days.
The findings of this study may help determine whether PRF improves postoperative recovery following mandibular third molar surgery.