Effects of single- and double-layered resorbable membranes and platelet-rich fibrin on bone healing

Research has been ongoing on achieving optimum bone healing in the reconstruction of bone loss. Clinically, soft tissue migration into the already existing bone defects is the leading cause of unfavourable bone healing. Platelet-rich fibrin, a recent material that is used to promote bone healing, was compared with single- and double-layered resorbable collagen membranes to determine whether a healing protocol which increases patient comfort is possible.

Sixty adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were used. The rats were divided into five main groups as a sacrification group, a control group, and three experimental groups. The bone defects experimental group 1 were covered with a single-layer collagen membrane, and experimental group 2 were covered with the double-layered collagen membrane. Defects on the experimental group 3 were covered with platelet-rich fibrin membranes which were derived from the sacrification group. The animals in the main groups were also divided into eight subgroups arranged by sacrification periods on day 7 and day 28.

Statistical analysis of our study revealed that new bone formation in experimental group 3 was significantly higher than in other groups. Fibrosis was found to be lower in experimental group 3 than in any other group. No significant differences were found between experimental group 1 and the control group.

Platelet-rich fibrin, which can be used as an autologous membrane which promotes bone healing, yields better clinical result compared to collagen membranes.

Histopathologic evaluation has been carried out regarding the effect of platelet-rich fibrin and collagen membranes applied on bone recovery. Our objective is to contribute to barrier membrane studies that continue to guide and accelerate bone recovery.