title: Comparison of platelet rich plasma and synthetic graft material for bone regeneration after third molar extraction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy of Platelet rich plasma and synthetic graft material for bone regeneration after bilateral third molar extraction.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was conducted in 10 patients visiting the outpatient department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Yenepoya Dental College & Hospital. Patients requiring extraction of bilateral mandibular third molars were taken for the study. Following extraction, PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) was placed in one extraction socket and synthetic graft material in form granules [combination of Hydroxyapatite (HA) and Bioactive glass (BG)] in another extraction socket. The patients were assessed for postoperative pain and soft tissue healing. Radiological assessment of the extraction site was done at 8, 12 and 16 weeks interval to compare the change in bone density in both the sockets.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pain was less on PRP site when compared to HA site. Soft tissue evaluation done using gingival healing index given by Landry et al showed better healing on PRP site when compared to HA site. The evaluation of bone density by radiological assessment showed the grey level values calculated at 4 months at the PRP site were comparatively higher than HA site.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study showed that the platelet rich plasma is a better graft material than synthetic graft material in terms of soft tissue and bone healing. However a more elaborate study with a larger number of clinical cases is very much essential to be more conclusive regarding the efficacy of both the materials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Vaidik Dental College, Daman, Diu, India.
authors.forename: Dipesh B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Nathani
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Yenepoya Dental College, Mangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Joyce
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sequeira
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Yenepoya Dental College, Mangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: B H Sripathi
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Rao
keywords: Bioactive glass; bone density; hydroxyapatite; mandibular third molar extraction; pain; platelet rich plasma