Effects of Combining Plasma Rich in Growth Factors with Different Bone Grafts on Early Bone Healing: An Experimental Study.

Purpose: To histologically and radiographically investigate the effect of plasma rich in growth factor (PRGF) mixed with bone grafts on ossification in the early period.

Materials and methods: A total of 12 New Zealand male rabbits (weighing between approximately 2.5 to 3 kg) were included in this study. Subjects were randomly divided into two sets of groups: control and experiment. Autograft, DFDBA (demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft), and DBBM (deproteinized bovine bone mineral) were applied to different defects in the control groups, and autograft + PRGF, DFDBA + PRGF, and DBBM + PRGF were applied in the experimental groups. All subjects were euthanized 28 days after surgery. The volumes of the bone, new connective tissue, and new capillaries were evaluated stereologically, and the bone density in the defects was investigated radiographically.

Results: Regarding the stereologic evaluation, the volumes of the bone and capillaries were significantly higher in the experimental groups than in the control groups. In contrast, the connective tissue volume was considerably lower (P < .001, in all groups). Similarly, radiographic examinations showed that the bone density measurements in the experimental groups were higher than in the control groups. However, these differences were statistically significant only between the DFDBA + PRGF and DFDBA groups (P < .011).

Conclusions: The present study provides evidence that the addition of PRGF to autograft, DFDBA, and DBBM enhances osteogenesis in the early period compared to using these grafts alone. It also accelerates the remodeling of connective tissue to bone in defects. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants 2023;38:569-575. doi: 10.11607/jomi.9858.