Comparison of platelet-rich fibrin with zinc oxide eugenol in the relief of pain in alveolar osteitis

Abstract

Background and aims: Alveolar osteitis (AO) is the most common painful post-operative complication after tooth extraction. The common modalities used in the management of AO are lavage, placement of medicated dressings, analgesics, and antibiotics. The present study was undertaken to compare platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) and zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE) for pain relief in AO. Methods: All cases meeting the eligibility criteria received two different treatment modalities over a span of 18 months. At the analysis stage, the final sample size comprised 70 patients, with 35 patients appropriated in each group. Group A patients received ZOE and Group B received PRF. Pain scores were measured on “1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th” days based on a visual analogue scale (VAS) and compared in both groups of patients. The collected data were analyzed using the chi-square test, t test, and Mann-Whitney U test. Results: In patients treated with ZOE dressing, the average VAS scores observed were 7.4 ± 1.5, 5.1 ± 1.1, 3.4 ± 0.9, and 2.1 ± 0.7, respectively, on the “1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th” follow-up days. In patients treated with PRF, the average VAS score observed were 4.1 ± 1.2, 2.6 ± 0.9, 1.7 ± 0.9, and 0.8 ± 0.8 respectively. Conclusion: Both ZOE and PRF were effective in pain control during the follow-up period. However, the pain intensity measured as a pain score using VAS was, lower in the PRF group than in the ZOE group on all follow-up days.