Background: A wide variety of materials have been proposed for treatment of periodontal intrabony defects (IBDs); recently, platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) has been suggested as a grafting material. The aim of this study is to report changes in clinical attachment level (CAL) and bone fill of periodontal IBDs treated with demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA) compared with PRF in humans.
Methods: Thirty-six patients completed the study protocol. Each patient contributed a single IBD, which was randomized to receive either DFDBA or PRF. Clinical and standardized radiographic data were collected at baseline and 6 months after treatment. Primary outcome measures included: 1) radiographic bone fill as measured from the cemento-enamel junction to base of bony defect and 2) change in CAL.
Results: Both treatment groups had significant gains in CAL as well as bone fill, with no significant differences in outcomes between groups. DFDBA had a mean CAL gain of 1.16 ± 1.33 mm, mean clinical bone fill of 1.53 ± 1.64 mm, and mean radiographic bone fill of 1.14 ± 0.88 mm. PRF had a mean CAL gain of 1.03 ± 0.86 mm, mean clinical bone fill of 1.35 ± 1.60 mm, and mean radiographic bone fill of 1.10 ± 1.01 mm.
Conclusion: Treatment of IBDs with either DFDBA or PRF resulted in a significant gain in CAL as well as bone fill after 6 months of healing, with no significant difference between materials.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02154906.
Keywords: Allografts; alveolar bone loss; bone transplantation; chronic periodontitis; fibrin; periodontal attachment loss.