Evaluation of the Efficacy of Platelet-rich Fibrin with an Osseous Graft in Cleft Alveolar Patients: A Clinical Study

Objective: The alveolar cleft is a bony defect found in 75% of patients with cleft lip and palate. Alveolar cleft repair uses autogenous, allogenic, and alloplastic materials, with autologous grafts widely accepted. Various techniques and materials, such as platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), platelet-rich plasma, recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor, and bone morphogenetic protein-2 and 7, have been used to retain bone at recipient sites. Materials and Methods: The study assessed the effectiveness of PRF combined with osseous graft in enhancing bone and soft-tissue healing in alveolar cleft repair cases. The procedure involved precise incisions along the cleft margins, separating mucosa, and refining the cancellous bone graft. PRF patty membranes were strategically placed to enhance regenerative potential. Bone healing was assessed at 1 st , 3 rd , and 6 th months postoperatively using RVGs scanned with SIDEXIS software. Results: The study revealed that patients in the test group experienced an uneventful postoperative healing period without complications. The average bone density increased from 45.57 preoperatively to 55.50 postoperatively, reaching 58.65 and 62.01 in the 3 rd and 6 th months postoperatively. The difference in bone density was significantly higher in the test group compared to the control group. Conclusion: Secondary bone grafts are widely accepted for alveolar cleft surgical reconstruction, whereas autogenous bone grafts are considered the gold standard. Despite new composite materials, resorption is a problem, and surgical adjuncts like PRF help limit it.