Clinical and radiographic evaluation of the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma combined with demineralised bone matrix graft substitutes in the treatment of intrabony defects in maxillofacial region.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of combined use of Platelet Rich Plasma and Demineralised Bone Matrix on healing of third molar extraction sockets clinically and radiologically18 patients (12 women and 6 men) participated in the study. After surgical removal of bilateral impacted third molars, right site was grafted with a combination of PRP and DBM while the left side was grafted with DBM alone and served as controlİn order to measure the density of newly formed bone tissue and to evaluate the healing process, digital panoromic radiographies were taken postoperatively on the first, third and sixth months. The radiographs were examined via histogram technique on Adobe Photoshop CS2 program. Probing depths at the distal aspect of mandibular second molar teeth were also measured 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively and evaluated for changes in clinical periodontal attachment levelsThe results of the study revealed that both groups have shown similar bone healing patterns and there was no significant differance in bone densities on radiographs. A significant decrease of probing depths in both groups was recordedIn this study, it is confirmed that computer-based analysis of digital panoromic radiographs is an easy, non-invasive and cost-effective method for following the healing of bone graft substitutes. But it should be kept in mind that the effects of PRP and growth factors is a relatively new research area, and many factors like the ideal bone graft substitute to combine PRP or the possible time of effect for PRP still remain unclear. Therefore, more clinical studies on this field is required.Keywords: Platelet rich plasma, Demineralized bone matrix, Bone healing