Efficacy of platelet-rich plasma in alveolar bone grafting

Purpose: In this study, we performed alveolar bone grafting with autologous iliac cancellous bone incorporation with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and evaluated its efficacy in osteoregeneration. Materials and Methods: Seven alveolar cleft patients with adult dentition (average age, 16.1 years) underwent iliac bone grafting with PRP. Quantitative evaluation of regenerated bone was made with 3-dimensional computed tomography scans and compared with controls. Results: The average of the volume ratio of regenerated bone to alveolar cleft in cases with PRP was higher than in controls (P < .05). There were no complications from the blood draw or PRP. Conclusion: PRP was a safe and cost-effective source for growth factors and was easy to extract. It could enhance the osteogenesis of alveolar bone grafting in cleft lip and palate patients and may useful for subsequent orthodontic therapy. (C) 2004 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.