Application of platelet-rich fibrin and photobiomodulation in guided bone regeneration: experimental study in rats

Abstract

Introduction  Bone loss can result from several etiological factors, such as trauma, pathological lesions or tissue atrophy after the loss of teeth. Effective treatment for bone regeneration has been a growing focus in the field of regenerative medicine. Platelet-rich fibrin membrane (PRF) and low-level laser therapy have been explored as adjunctive therapies to promote bone neoformation.

Objective  To evaluate the quality of bone tissue formed in a critical bone defect created in the calvaria of rats, using the PRF membrane, whether or not in combination with the use of a diode laser, in its low-power version, or with a low-intensity laser.

Material and method  For this purpose, 67 Wistar rats were divided into four groups: D (bone defect), DL (bone defect + laser), DPRF (bone defect + PRF) and DPRFL (bone defect + PRF + laser). PRF membranes were obtained by intracardiac puncture from donor rats and applied to the animals of the corresponding groups. Six animals from each group were euthanized after 30 and 60 days for histological evaluation, with analysis of cell count, presence of angiogenesis and bone repair area.

Result  The results showed that the DPRFL group presented a significant difference in the total number of cells compared to the D group (p < 0.001 after 30 days and p < 0.01 after 60 days), in addition to a greater presence of angiogenesis (p < 0.01). Although no significant difference was observed in the bone repair area, the DPRFL group showed greater bone thickness after 30 days.

Conclusion  The combination of PRF membrane with low-intensity laser therapy had a positive effect on bone regeneration, especially in promoting greater vertical bone thickness, suggesting a synergistic therapeutic potential for the treatment of bone defects.

Descriptors:
Platelet-rich fibrin; low-level laser therapy; bone regeneration