Augmentation of edentulous ridges by guided bone regeneration and the use of concentrated platelets : clinical report

Aim of the study

Currently used allograft materials have only one potential osteoconductor. Bioactive substances such as growth factors have been proposed in order to augment osteogenesis in periodontal bone defects. This article aims to study whether the addition of plasma rich in platelets (PRP), combined with an allograft increases bone formation. The use of PRP rests on the hypothesis that the platelets contained within it liberate quantities of mitogenic polypeptides.

Materials and methods

The authors report three clinical cases treated with PRP, demineralised freeze dried bone (DFDBA) and a membrane to regenerate bone in edentulous ridges. Prior to the placement of implants, the membrane was removed and a specimen removed with the aid of a trephine for histological analysis.

Conclusion

The combination of PRP and DFDBA provides a paste that is easy to manipulate and brings about horizontal and vertical bone regeneration, facilitating the placement of implants. The regenerated tissue is characterised by zones of new vital bone with residual non-vital particles of DFDBA. The PRP improves the working characteristics of the graft material but the results are comparable to those of other studies of guided bone regeneration (GBR) without PRP.

Commentary

The clinical cases presented are well documented but it is a pity not to have included control sites without PRP that would have permitted the evaluation of the use of PRP for allografts in GBR techniques.