Comparative study of β-tricalcium phosphate mixed with platelet-rich plasma versus β-tricalcium phosphate, a bone substitute material in dentistry

Abstract

Animal experiments were carried out with osteoconductive bone substitute β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP), with the aim of assessing the effects of the growth factors synthesised by thrombocytes on the speed of β-TCP incorporation and on the quality of newly formed bone. The question to be answered was the extent to which platelet-rich plasma (PRP) accelerated the resorption of β-TCP and the formation of new bone. Two teeth were removed symmetrically from each side of the mandible of 12 Beagle dogs; the resulting cavities were filled on one side with β-TCP alone, and on the other side with a mixture of β-TCP + PRP (obtained from autologous blood). The quality of the newly formed bone and the effects of this PRP were studied by histological and histomorphometric methods. In week 6, bone formation was already more effective when PRP was applied in comparison with β-TCP alone, and in week 12 the growth was significantly greater. The results demonstrate that the use of PRP accelerates the remodelling of new bone created by β-TCP.