Use of autologous platelet - Rich plasma in the treatment of intrabony defects

Abstract

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) has been combined with autologous bone or bone substitutes and used for periodontal regeneration. The clinical efficacy of this combination has been noted. However, it remains questionable whether this clinical efficacy is due to the PRP or the bone graft material alone with which PRP is used in combination. Objective was to assess the clinical effectiveness of autologous PRP alone in treating intrabony defects in humans. 6 patients were recruited having interproximal intrabony defects with pocket probing depth ≥ 5 mm at re-evaluation following initial therapy, and angular osseous defect depth ≥ 4mm as assessed by using Spiral Computed Tomography. Autologous PRP gel was obtained by mixing autologous PRP with autologous thrombin and placed in the intrabony defects after defect debridement. At 6 months postoperatively, mean probing pocket depth (PPD) noted at baseline (7± 1.27)mm reduced to3.67± 1.03 mm, clinical attachment level (CAL) gain was 3.33± 0.51mm, both of which were statistically significant. Mean distance from cemento-enameljunction (CEJ) to base of the defect (BOD) at baseline was 8.55 ± 0.89 mm. At 6 months it reduced to 6.58 ±1.13 mm showing a defectfillof 1.96±00.32 mm, which was statistically significant. Thepercentage of defect fill noted was 23.01 % and mean defect resolution was 2.05 ±0.30 mm, both of which were statistically significant. Treatment of intrabony defects by autologous PRP gel alone caused significant soft tissue clinical improvement as well as hard tissue defect fill as evidenced by SSD view in spiral computed tomography.