Purpose:To assess the effectiveness of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) on soft tissue healing and socket complications after mandibular third molar extraction. Materials and Methods:44 patients(13 male and 31 female; mean age,25.10±5.56years)requiring surgical extraction of 50 impacted lower third molars (ILTMs) andmet the inclusion criteria were included. After third molar extraction, PRF clot  wasplaced in the study group, while  a piece of absorbable gelatin sponge wasplaced in the control group. The assessed variables were pain, analgesic consumption, soft tissue healing and socket complications encountered during the first postoperative week. Results:PRF patients significantly recorded less pain and analgesic consumption for the seventh postoperative day only (P= 0.01 and 0.02 respectively) compared with Gelfoampatients.Regarding soft tissue healing, insignificant differencewas observed betweenPRF and Gelfoamgroups(P= 0.10). Regarding socket complications, PRF significantly reducedalveolarosteitis (AO) frequencyin PRF group compared withGelfoam group (P= 0.04). Therewasaninsignificant difference between thestudygroupsregarding frequency of infectedor inflamed sockets(P= 1.00 and 1.00 respectively). Conclusions:PRF application reduces AO development,decreases postoperative pain and analgesic consumption.PRF has no effect on soft tissue healing.