Scintigraphic evaluation of early osteoblastic activity in extraction sockets treated with platelet-rich plasma.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the early effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on osteoblastic activity during the healing process of soft tissue impacted mandibular third molar extraction sockets by means of bone scintigraphy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twelve patients with bilaterally soft tissue impacted mandibular third molars were included in the study. The impacted right and left mandibular third molars were surgically extracted in the same session. PRP was administered randomly into the extraction sockets in the study (S) group whereas the extraction sockets in the control (C) group were left without PRP treatment. Scintigrams were obtained in the first and fourth weeks after surgery to evaluate the osteoblastic activity within extraction sockets in both groups. RESULTS: Scintigraphic findings of postoperative first and fourth weeks did not show significantly increased osteoblastic activity between S group and C group (P > .05). However, the osteoblastic activity in both groups significantly increased in postoperative week 4 in comparison to week 1 (P < .05). CONCLUSION: The application of PRP alone into soft tissue impacted mandibular third molar extraction sockets failed to increase the osteoblastic activity in postsurgical weeks 1 and 4 in comparison to non-PRP-treated sockets.