Effects of Leukocyte-Platelet-Rich Plasma on the Alveolar Bone Changes During Orthodontic Tooth Movement in Rabbits: A Micro-CT Study

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effects of leukocyte-platelet-rich plasma (L-PRP) on the alveolar bone changes at the compression and tension sides during orthodontic tooth movement. Materials and Methods: Around 20 New Zealand white rabbits were used in a split-mouth design. The maxillary first premolar was moved mesially with a nickel-titanium closed-coil spring. One side of the maxilla was randomly injected with L-PRP, while the contralateral side served as the control which received normal saline. The alveolar bone adjacent to the maxillary first premolar was scanned using microcomputed tomography at days 0, 7, 14, and 28. Microstructural parameters including bone volume fraction, trabecular thickness, and trabecular separation of alveolar bone were assessed on the compression and tension sides of the maxillary first premolar. Results: Compared between the groups, the L-PPR group showed a significantly decreased bone volume fraction on the compression side on days 7 and 14 but significantly increased bone volume fraction on the tension side on day 14. However, there were no statistically significant differences in the parameters of trabecular thickness and trabecular separation. Conclusion: Local administration of L-PRP may promote bone resorption on the compression side and bone formation on the tension side at the initial stage of orthodontic tooth movement.