Platelet-Rich Fibrin with Minocycline versus Arestin in Non-surgical Periodontal Therapy: A Split-Mouth Randomised Controlled Clinical Trial

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease and while non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) remains the first choice of treatment, its capability to completely resolve inflammation may be limited. Arestin® (1 mg minocycline microsphere) is an established adjunct, whereas platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) has recently emerged as a promising local drug-delivery scaffold. This split-mouth randomised controlled clinical trial compared the clinical efficacy of adjunctive minocycline delivered via conventional Arestin® versus incorporation within a PRF scaffold for the treatment of 4-6 mm periodontal pockets after NSPT.

Fifteen participants were recruited, of whom 13 completed the 6-month follow-up. Each patient contributed two interproximal sites randomly allocated to receive either adjunctive PRF + Minocycline or adjunctive Arestin® after NSPT. Periodontal parameters, such as probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), gingival recession (GR), and bleeding on probing (BOP), were measured at baseline and 6 months.