Purpose: The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of implants immediately placed into fresh extraction sockets of teeth affected by chronic periapical pathologic findings, using plasma rich in growth factors (PRGFs) as an adjunct during the surgical procedure.
Materials and methods: A total of 30 partially edentulous patients with teeth requiring extraction and chronic periapical lesions were included in the present study. A total of 61 transmucosal implants were installed immediately after extraction and careful debridement combined with PRGF placement into the socket. Before insertion, the implant surface was bioactivated by humidification with liquid PRGFs. The prosthetic phase occurred 3 to 4 months after surgery. The implant success and survival and radiographic bone loss were evaluated after 1 year of function. Patient satisfaction for mastication function, phonetics, and esthetics was assessed using a questionnaire.
Results: Of the 61 implants, 1 had failed 2 months after insertion because of infection. No additional complications were recorded. The overall implant success and survival rate was 98.4% at 1 year of function. The mean follow-up was 18.5 months (range 10 to 21). All prostheses were successful. The peri-implant bone loss after 1 year averaged 0.41 +/- 0.22 mm. All patients reported full satisfaction for mastication function, phonetics, and esthetics.
Conclusions: The use of PRGFs combined with an immediate implant placement procedure can be considered a safe, effective, and predictable treatment option for the rehabilitation of fresh postextraction infected sockets.