Assessment of Tissue Changes Observed with Single-Unit Dental Implants Placed in Conjunction with Platelet-Rich Fibrin: An Evaluative Study.

Abstract

Background: The advent of implants has been a big milestone in the practice of dentistry, which has largely changed the face of rehabilitative dental practice. The present evaluative study assessed the tissue changes observed with single-unit dental implants placed in conjunction with platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) since there is a relative dearth of studies on this aspect in the literature.

Materials and methods: The present prospective study consisted of 12 patients with single-rooted teeth indicated for extraction for various reasons, whereas after immediate insertion of single-unit dental implants, soft and hard tissue changes were assessed at baseline and on follow-up visits of patients at 3, 6, and 9 months, respectively, and the data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis. For carrying out the statistical analysis, a paired t test was used, whereas probability values of 0.05 or less were contemplated as being statistically significant.

Results: The results in terms of mean modified plaque index and mean modified bleeding index revealed statistically significant variations in follow-up visits of patients (P < 0.05). Similarly, noteworthy differences were observed in terms of the mean papillary index and mean distance between the implant-bone interface (DIB) on either side on follow-up visits of patients using a paired t test (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The insertion of single-unit dental implants in conjunction with PRF resulted in a significantly improved height of the interdental papilla. In addition, an appreciable difference was observed in the mean DIB with no major complications after 9 months of implant insertion.