Platelet-rich plasma may not provide any additional effect when associated with guided bone regeneration around dental implants in dogs

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate histometrically bone healing in surgically created dehiscence-type defects around titanium implants treated with an association of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and guided bone regeneration (GBR). Material and Methods: Ten male adult mongrel dogs were used, from which the three low premolars (P2, P3, P4) and the first molar were extracted. Three months after teeth extraction, two implant sites were bilaterally drilled, buccal bone dehiscences were created and four titanium implants were placed. Dehiscences were randomly assigned to the following groups: (1) PRP, (2) GBR, (3) PRP+GBR and (4) control. After 3 months, the animals were sacrificed and the implants and adjacent hard tissues were processed for undecalcified sections. Bone-to-implant contact (BIC), bone density within the limits of implant threads (BW), bone density (BD) and new bone area (BA) in a zone lateral to the implant corresponding to bone defects were obtained and measured. Results: Intergroup analysis (two-way ANOVA - alpha=5%) demonstrated that when PRP was utilized,no differences were observed for all parameters (P > 0.05). However, significant differences were observed for BIC and BW toward membrane-treated groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Within the limits of this study, it was concluded that PRP does not exert additional effects on bone healing in bone defects created around dental implants and treated by GBR.