Influence of PRP on autogenous sinus grafts. An experimental study on sheep.

Since platelet -rich plasma (PRP) has been introduced to the field of oral surgery, it has become a widely accepted additive for bone regeneration treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the regenerative capacity of PRP in a sinus graft study on sheep. Twelve adult sheep underwent a bilateral sinus floor elevation procedure with cancellous bone from the iliac crest. Unilaterally, PRP was administrated to the bone graft. After 4 (six sheep) and 12 weeks (six sheep), bone biopsies were obtained from each site. With histomorphometric analysis we evaluated both the percentage of newly formed bone within the grafted site and the percentage of the contact area between the grafted bone and the newly formed bone. After 4 weeks the mean proportion of newly formed bone on the control side was 26.1%, whereas it was 29.2% on the test side. After 12 weeks it was 46.9% on the control side and 51.1% on the test side. The area of contact between the graft and the newly formed bone was 73.0% on the control side and 78.5% on the test side after 4 weeks, and 87.2% on the control side and 90.1% on the test side after 12 weeks. A statistical analysis did not reveal significant differences between the control and the test side. The results of the present experimental study show a regenerative capacity of PRP of quite low potency. Further basic research is needed to investigate more profoundly the possibilities of PRP in bone regeneration.