Experimental investigation of effects of platelet-rich plasma on early phases of orthodontic tooth movement.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of platelet-rich plasma on orthodontic tooth movement in rats. METHODS: We divided 48 Wistar male albino rats into 3 groups: control group, platelet-rich plasma group, and platelet-poor plasma group. The rats in all study groups had orthodontic tooth movement of their maxillary right first molars. Either platelet-rich plasma or platelet-poor plasma was injected into the animals in the platelet-rich plasma and platelet-poor plasma groups, respectively; the rats in the control group had no injection. Distances between the maxillary molar and incisor were measured on days 0, 1, 3, 7, and 14. Active osteoblast numbers in tension sites and osteoclast numbers in compression sites were examined histologically. Immunohistochemical evaluations of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expressions were also performed. RESULTS: The rats in the platelet-rich plasma group showed less tooth movement than those in the control group at day 3. At day 14, maximum tooth movement was observed in all groups. However, there was no statistical significance among the groups at day 14. In terms of osteoclast and osteoblast cells, no significant differences were observed in any group or at any time. Also, there were no significant differences in TRAP, ALP, and TGF-beta expressions in the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The application of platelet-rich plasma was not beneficial as an adjunct to orthodontic treatment.