Frozen advanced platelet-rich fibrin as an adjunct to the modified tunnel technique for root coverage: A pilot randomised clinical trial.

BACKGROUND

Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is a widely used second-generation blood concentrate in periodontal regeneration. It has a few disadvantages, such as the fragile nature of the membrane, difficulty in suturing, and unpredictability of outcomes. The present study aims to evaluate the clinical outcomes, healing, and postoperative morbidity following the use of frozen advanced PRF (-20°C for 24 h) with modified coronally advanced tunnel (MCAT) technique in the treatment of multiple adjacent recession defects (MARDs).

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This is a prospective, split-mouth, randomized controlled clinical trial including 42 teeth with bilateral MARD in 10 participants. Sites were randomized to frozen (Fz-PRF) and fresh advanced PRF (A-PRF) groups and treated with Fz-PRF using MCAT and A-PRF using MCAT, respectively. Root coverage parameters (recession depth [RD], recession width [RW], complete root coverage, percentage root coverage [%RC], mechanical characteristics [needle passage ease, surgical handling of the membrane, and membrane fraying], postoperative healing [Wachtel's Healing Index], and patient-reported outcomes [discomfort and esthetic satisfaction]) were assessed.

RESULTS

Mean %RC (P = 0.025), RW (0.044), mechanical characteristics (P = 0.000), and esthetic satisfaction (P = 0.015) were significantly better in the Fz-PRF group. No significant variation was observed in patient discomfort and postoperative healing.

CONCLUSIONS

Fz-PRF showed better root coverage, mechanical properties, and esthetic satisfaction than A-PRF; as a result, it might be an effective alternative to conventional methods of treating gingival recessions.