To evaluate the efficacy of platelet-rich fibrine (PRF) on postoperative edema and pain after impacted mandibular third molar surgery. The prospective study was comprised 30 patients who presented for the removal of bilateral impacted mandibular third molar teeth. After extraction, the sockets were filled with PRF or without PRF in the study and control groups, respectively. Postoperative edema was measured with a flexible tape measure by calculating the distance between several facial landmarks on postoperative days two and seven. Postoperative pain was evaluated with a line-type visual analogue scale (VAS) and a verbal scale (VRS). SPSS version 20.0 was used for data analysis. Both groups recorded significant improvement compared to the baseline levels in almost all of the outcome variables. There was no statistically significant difference between the study and control groups (p > 0.05). Using or not using PRF to reduce postoperative pain and edema in third molar surgery was equally successful. This study was retrospectively registered at the ISRCTN registry ( ISRCTN16849867 ) on 6 March 2017.

Objectives: To discuss advantages and disadvantages of TMJ arthrocentesis techniques, identifying modifications as reported in the literature. Methods: A PubMed web-based search was carried out, using the terms TMJ and arthrocentesis, to determine the scope of coverage in well-documented articles in English. Results: Among 237 articles, 12 distinct techniques were described for TMJ arthrocentesis in 12 articles. Among 12 techniques, 5 were classified as double puncture arthrocentesis (DPA) and 7 as single puncture arthrocentesis (SPA). In total, 17 well documented articles about SPA were found in literature. Discussion: Arthrocentesis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) was first described in 1991. To make the traditional procedure even less invasive, many arthrocentesis methods have been described. However, in 2015, TMJ arthrocentesis techniques were divided into two groups to limit the complexities surrounding the concepts related to TMJ arthrocentesis techniques.

Objective To evaluate ultrasonography (US) guidance on the single-puncture temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthrocentesis technique. Methods Twenty-four patients were randomly divided into two groups (n = 12 in each group), and single puncture arthrocentesis (SPA) was performed with and without US guidance in groups 1 and 2. During the one-year follow-up period, the groups were statistically evaluated by the visual analog scale for pain, maximum mouth opening, lateral excursion, and protrusion within each group and between the two groups. Results Both treatment groups showed significant improvement, compared to the baseline levels for almost all outcome variables. However, there were no statistically significant differences between groups 1 and 2 (p > 0.05). Conclusion US guidance can be used for cannula placement in SPA. However, the outcome results are the same with or without its use.