Preclinical Evaluation of the Effect of Liquid Platelet-Rich Fibrin and a Volume-Stable Collagen Matrix on Periodontal Regeneration.

AIM: To evaluate the regenerative potential of liquid platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), with and without a volume-stable collagen matrix (VCMX), in periodontal intrabony defects using histological, histometric and micro-CT analyses.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

One-wall intrabony defects were surgically created in six beagle dogs and treated with either VCMX plus liquid PRF (TG1), liquid PRF alone (TG2), VCMX alone (CG1) or left empty (CG2). After 12 weeks, samples were analysed by micro-CT, histology and histometry.

RESULTS

Healing was uneventful in all animals. TG1 showed the greatest cementum (4.08 ± 0.88 mm) and bone formation (3.42 ± 0.70 mm), followed by TG2 (2.92 ± 1.13 mm cementum, 3.19 ± 0.78 mm bone) and CG1 (2.07 ± 1.06 mm cementum, 3.29 ± 0.77 mm bone). CG2 exhibited the poorest outcomes (0.84 ± 0.74 mm cementum, 2.58 ± 0.38 mm bone). Micro-CT confirmed higher bone volume in TG1 and TG2 compared to CG2; however, the difference was not significant. All treatment groups showed significantly greater cementum and bone formation compared to CG2.

CONCLUSIONS

Within its limitations, the present study indicates that (i) liquid PRF, alone or combined with a volume-stable collagen matrix, enhances periodontal regeneration more than open flap debridement alone, and (ii) the combination tends to show the most favourable outcomes.