The effect of plasma proteins on dry socket healing
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The effect of Plasma Rich in Growth Factors (PRGF) on the treatment of dry sockets BTI/NW - 0514
IRAS ID
162895
Contact name
Nicola West
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research and Enterprise Development, University of Bristol
Research summary
Dry socket is a common complication that can arise following the extraction of teeth by a General Dental Practitioner or an Oral Surgery Specialist. Dry socket may be defined as the postoperative pain inside and around an extraction site, which increases in severity at any time between the first and third day after the extraction, accompanied by a partial or total disintegration of the blood clot within the tooth socket, with or without smelly breath (halitosis). Sufferers of dry socket usually need post-operative treatment to manage the condition.
The routine treatment for dry socket involves cleaning the area, under anaesthetic if necessary, packing it with a material to soothe the pain and if necessary using a suture (stitch) to hold the material in place while the socket heals.
The material used to pack the socket plays an important role in soothing the pain and allowing healing to take place and researchers are always trying to find better more effective materials. A new material that can help the healing of tissue in the mouth following surgery is a product derived from the patients' own blood called PRGF (Plasma Rich in Growth Factors). It has been shown that PRGF enhances tissue healing and also improves the clinical outcomes of various surgical procedures by minimizing post-operative complications such as pain and inflammation/swelling. Venous blood is taken from the patient prior to surgery. The blood is then treated and heated to form a gel like structure which is then inserted at the treatment site. The PRGF then acts on the surrounding tissues to aid healing and regeneration.The aim of this study is to investigate whether PRGF can reduce the pain and improve the healing of dry sockets in patients who have this condition following the extraction of a tooth. This is a single centre, single blind (with respect to the assessing clinician), randomised, two treatment regimen, parallel study in dental patients with a dry socket that has occurred post tooth. Approximately 40 participants will partake in the study. The University of Bristol are the sponsor and funder of the study.
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/SW/1101
Date of REC Opinion
28 Oct 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion