Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate, through a systematic review, the clinical effectiveness of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) in periodontal soft tissue repair compared with conventional regenerative techniques. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This systematic review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024617061). Searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and LILACS, complemented by gray literature sources. Randomized clinical trials evaluating PRF or its derivatives in periodontal soft tissue repair were included. From 996 identified records, 28 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the qualitative analysis. RESULTS: PRF demonstrated clinical outcomes comparable to conventional techniques such as connective tissue grafts and other biomaterials for root coverage and periodontal regeneration. In addition, PRF was associated with reduced surgical morbidity, lower postoperative discomfort, and shorter surgical time. CONCLUSIONS: PRF represents a promising autologous biomaterial for periodontal soft tissue repair, providing clinical outcomes similar to conventional grafting techniques with lower morbidity. Further well-designed clinical trials with standardized protocols and long-term follow-up are required.