GUIDED SOFT TISSUE AUGMENTATION OF INDUCED HORIZONTAL DEFECTS USING TITANIUM PREPARED PLATELET RICH FIBRIN (AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY)

Abstract

Background: Alveolar ridge dimensional changes are unavoidable after the extraction of natural teeth; these changes affect both hard and soft tissues. Different techniques are used for augmenting soft tissue defects. Titanium prepared platelet rich fibrin (TPRF) is one of new modalities that could be used to augment soft tissue defects due to the existence of many growth factors, it enhances histoconduction potential for both soft and hard tissue regeneration. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of TPRF as adjunctive to guided soft tissue augmentation (GSTA) on induced horizontal soft tissue deficiencies.Materials and methods: The guided soft tissue augmentation procedure was carried out by randomly allocating 12 defects created in 3 adult Mongrel dogs. The defects were divided into two groups. Group I (test group); six defects were managed with titanium micro screws and TPRF. Group II (control group); six defects were managed with titanium micro screws alone. Dogs were sacrificed at the end of the first month. Clinical and histological analysis were done.Results: The current study found a statistically insignificant increase in soft tissue thickness values at one month when compared to baseline in the two studied groups. The soft tissue thickness in the test and control group at baseline, was 2.50±0.55mm and 2.00±0.00 mm while after one month, was 3.00±0.89 mm and 2.50±0.55mm respectively.Conclusion: This study showed that guided soft tissue augmentation with or without TPRF could improve the soft tissue thickness. However, using TPRF improve the quality of the soft tissue formed as proved histologically.