Added Benefit of L-PRF to Autogenous Bone Graft in the Treatment of Mandibular Degree II Furcation Defects

Different therapeutic approaches have been proposed for the treatment of furcation defects and the regeneration of periodontium within the furcation area is considered one of the most challenging aspect of surgical periodontal therapy. Periodontal regeneration is a highly predictable therapeutic option for the treatment of different furcation defects, particularly class II furcation involvements in the lower molars. In particular, the application of a combined therapeutic approach (i.e., barrier, bone re-placement graft with or without biological agents) seems to offer better results as compared with monotherapeutic treatments. Several studies have demonstrated that platelet concentrates, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and, more recently, leukocyte and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) can represent new therapeutic options for bone regeneration procedures by increasing the healing potential of natural blood clot in the surgical site. Leukocyte and Platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) is a second-generation platelet concentrate, developed by Choukroun et al. It is prepared without the addition of any anticoagulants and consists of a slowly polymerized complex fibrin network which incorporates leukocytes, glycan chains, structural glycoproteins and an high concentration of growth factors such as transforming growth factor β (TGF-B), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The three-dimensional architecture and the specific biochemical properties, which facilitate the wound healing processes, have led to a widespread use of this biomaterial in plastic surgery, maxillofacial surgery, oral and periodontal surgery. A large clinical and histological evidence supports the concept that autogenous bone grafts (ABG) are highly effective regenerative materials in the treatment of intrabony defects. Moreover, with respect to the treatment of furcation defects, outcome data from a number of studies gener