Efficacy of platelet rich fibrin in the treatment of human intrabony defects with or without bone graft: A randomized controlled trial

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of platelet rich fibrin (PRF) with or without bone graft [demineralized bone matrix (DBM) graft] in the treatment of intrabony defects based on clinical and radiographic parameters. Materials and Methods: Thirty six intrabony defects in 36 patients were randomly divided into three different groups and were treated with group A (PRF with DBM) or group B (PRF alone) or group C [open flap debridement (OFD)]. Clinical parameters such as plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), relative attachment level (RAL), and gingival recession (GR) were assessed at baseline and 9 months postoperatively; radiographic parameters such as linear bone growth (LBG) and percentage in bone fill (%BF) were calculated by using the image analysis software. Comparisons of groups were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance test. Pair-wise comparison of groups was done by Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Mean PD reduction and RAL gain were greater in group A (4.25 1.48, 3.92 0.90) and group B (3.82 0.75, 3.27 0.65) than control (3.00 1.21, 2.25 0.62). Furthermore, statistically significant improvement in LBG and %BF was found in group A (3.47 0.53, 61.53 4.54) compared to group B (2.55 0.61, 49.60 14.08) and group C (1.21 0.80, 24.69 15.59). Conclusions: The study demonstrated that PRF improves clinical and radiological parameters compared to OFD alone in intrabony defects. Addition of DBM enhances the effects of PRF in RAL gain and radiographic defect fill.