Sinus floor augmentation with beta-tricalciumphosphate (beta-TCP): does platelet-rich plasma promote its osseous integration and degradation?

When dental implants are to be inserted, sinus floor augmentation is an effective treatment procedure to improve bone height in the posterior maxilla. In addition to autogenous bone material, allogenic materials, e.g. beta-tricalciumphosphate (beta-TCP), have been used successfully. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the combination of beta-TCP with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) enhances bony regeneration and resorption of the tricalciumphosphate material. In a randomized prospective trial, 45 sinus floor elevations were performed in 39 patients. In 22 sites, PRP was added to the beta-TCP granules, while in 23 sites beta-TCP without PRP was used. Six months later, bone specimens were harvested from the augmented region during the implant insertion procedure. The formation of new bone was about 8-10% higher when PRP was applied. A faster degradation of the ceramic bone substitute was not observed. In conclusion, when PRP was added to beta-TCP, bone regeneration was supported to a small extent. However, the resorption of beta-TCP was not accelerated and foreign-body giant cells and soft tissue surrounding the beta-TCP granules were present.