Wound Healing Patterns of PRF and PRGF Versus a Collagen‐Based Substitute and Spontaneous Healing—A Randomised Controlled Clinical Trial Assessing Wound Closure of an Experimental, Standardised Palatal Defect

AIMS: To evaluate wound-healing progression among platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF), a collagen-based wound dressing (CS = collagen substitute) and spontaneous healing (control), assessed by percentage of remaining open wound area and patient-reported pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty participants each received four standardised palatal wounds (6 mm × 3 mm) and were randomly assigned to PRF, PRGF, a collagen substitute or spontaneous healing as control. All dressings were secured with criss-cross sutures. Standardised clinical photographs and pain assessments were obtained at baseline and on postoperative days 2,5,7,9, 12 and 14. Parametric and nonparametric models for longitudinal data were used to compare outcomes, accounting for within-subject correlation of repeated measurements. RESULTS: Open wound area decreased across all groups throughout the 14-day period. Some defects enlarged transiently at Day 2, and the greatest differences between the groups were observed on Day 7 (35.7%-47.0% of wound remaining). Pain scores decreased significantly over time in all groups, with no statistically significant differences between treatments (p > 0.05). Anterior defects tended to be perceived as more painful than posterior defects. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous healing resulted in slightly faster reduction of remaining open wound area than PRF, PRGF or the collagen substitute, with comparable postoperative pain levels. In standardised defects in healthy individuals, PRF, PRGF and collagen substitutes demonstrate minimal additional benefit for soft-tissue healing. Further studies are warranted to determine whether benefits emerge in larger wounds or in patients with compromised healing.