Bone Regeneration with Platelet-Rich Fibrin Following Surgical Management of Periapical Lesion: Achieving Success in a Resource-limited Area. A Case Report

Background: Intra-oral bony defects following periradicular surgery have been documented to have high selfregenerating potential (especially when small). However, early permanent rehabilitation of tooth to function is important post-surgery. Thus, there is a need to enhance bone healing through regeneration due to the prolonged natural bone healing process. Many materials have been proposed and used but the Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF); a second-generation platelet with fibrin membranes enriched with platelets growth factors is an autologous material, easy to produce and a cost-effective way of regenerating bony defects. Aim: To assess and report the regenerative potential of PRF following periradicular surgery. Methodology: A case report of a 60-year old female who presented with a chronic periapical abscess in relation to the upper right incisors. A periapical pathology of 30mm in its widest dimension was present on the radiograph. Following root canal treatment, the patient had periradicular surgery to remove the apical cystic lesion. The bony defect was filled with autologous platelet-rich fibrin (produced through centrifuging of peripheral blood) to stimulate bone regeneration, and the tooth was reviewed for one year. Result: The one-year review post periradicular surgery showed good healing and bone regeneration. Conclusion: The report showed the use of PRF in regeneration of intra bony defect post degranulation of periapical lesion (after removal of cystic lesion) as an effective and cheap way of achieving regeneration.