Effect of a Submucosal Injection of Platelet-Rich Plasma on the Rate of Orthodontic Tooth Movement – A Split-Mouth, Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of submucosal injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on the rate of mini-implant-supported retraction, using a split-mouth randomized clinical design. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty subjects of either gender between 16 and 25 years of age with bimaxillary dentoalveolar protrusion and crowding of <4 mm scheduled to undergo fixed mechanotherapy with the extraction of 1(st) premolars; were recruited for the study. Those with a periodontally compromised dentition, blood dyscrasias, smoking/alcoholism, or with a history of fixed orthodontic treatment were not considered. The intervention side received a submucosal injection of autologous PRP which was prepared using 10 ml of the patient’s blood. The rate of extraction space closure on both sides was recorded and compared monthly for 3 months using a digital caliper. RESULTS: Mean overall retraction was faster on the intervention side as compared to the control side by 1.5 times and was statistically significant with a P value of 0.001. There was no influence of gender on the rate of retraction. There was no reported swelling or discomfort associated with the PRP injection. CONCLUSIONS: Submucosal injection of PRP significantly accelerates orthodontic tooth movement and can therefore be used as an effective, safe, and minimally invasive method to expedite orthodontic treatment.