The Adjunctive Effect of Platelet Rich Fibrin to Connective Tissue Graft in the Treatment of Buccal Recession Defects. Results of a Randomized Parallel Group Controlled Trial

Given the encouraging effects of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) in healing and regeneration, it has been hypothesized that PRF might develop the outcomes obtained with coronally advanced flap (CAF)+connective tissue graft(CTG). Therefore, it was aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of CAF + CTG + PRF in Miller Class I and II recession defect treatment by comparing the outcomes with CAF + CTG in a preliminary, controlled, randomized clinical trial (RCT) with a 6-month follow-up. The study was conducted with 40 patients randomly grouped in half shares into indicated study groups. After phase I therapy, clinical variables including plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), vertical recession (VR), probing depth (PD), attachment level (AL), keratinized tissue width (KTW), horizontal recession (HR), MGJ localization (L-MGJ), tissue thickness (TT) were recorded. The surgical sites were prepared by using sulcular and adjacent vertical incisions and CTGs were harvested from the palatal regions. Different from CAF+CTG group, PRF was prepared by obtaining 10 ml venous blood, centrifugation and extraction of the gel containing highly concentrated platelet cells in CAF+CTG+PRF patients. Then the gel was placed over the exposed root surface in the same group. The CAF was primarily closed and postoperative instructions were given. After suture removal at second postoperative week, the patients were followed-up by monthly recall visits. Same periodontal clinical variables were recorded 3 and 6 months after surgery.