The Effect of Platelet Rich Plasma on Intrabony Periodontal Defects

Objective: To determine the effect of using platelet rich plasma with a composite graft of DFDBA and intraoral autogenous graft (CG) in the treatment of intrabony defects. Additionally, platelet rich plasma was evaluated for accelerated soft-tissue healing in the surgical site.

Methods: Six consecutive patients with 6-paired defects participated in the study. Reference stents, standardized radiographs, and intraoral photographs were used in data collection. Defects were treated with either composite grafts (CG) or composite grafts with platelet rich plasma (PRP). Platelet rich plasma was placed along primary incisions prior to closure in the PRP group. CAL and bone sounding were repeated at 9 months with soft tissue healing evaluated up to 12 weeks.

Results: At 9 months, gain in CAL was 2.67 + 1.21mm in the CG group and 4.00 + 1.79mm for the PRP group. Bone fill, measured by bone sounding, indicated the CG group had 2.83 + 1.33mm of osseous fill compared to 4.17 + 1.83mm for the PRP group (P<0.05). Standardized radiographs suggested vertical bone fill of 1.67 + 0.67mm for the CG group and 3.17 + 2.14mm for the PRP group (P=0.06). Wound healing as measured by objective indicators at 1, 2, 4, 12 weeks demonstrated improved healing with platelet rich plasma but was not statistically significant.

Conclusions: The results from this study indicate that PRP will statistically improve the amount of osseous fill and demonstrate enhanced soft tissue healing.