Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of a local injection of leukocyte-platelet-rich plasma (L-PRP) on orthodontic tooth movement in rabbits. METHODS: Twenty-three male New Zealand white rabbits were included in a split-mouth design. Tooth movement with a 100-g nickel-titanium closed-coil spring was performed on the maxillary first premolars. L-PRP was injected submucosally at the buccal and lingual areas of the first premolar in one random side of the maxilla and the other side served as the control and received normal saline. The amount of tooth movement was assessed on three-dimensional digital models on days 0, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28. Histological findings and osteoclast numbers were examined on day 0 as the baseline and on days 7, 14, and 28. RESULTS: The L-PRP group showed significantly greater cumulative tooth movement at all observed periods. However, a significantly higher rate of tooth movement was observed only on days 0-7 and 7-14. The osteoclast numbers were significantly increased in the L-PRP group on days 7 and 14. CONCLUSIONS: Local injection of L-PRP resulted in a transient increase in the rate of tooth movement and higher osteoclast numbers.