Micro-computed tomography and histomorphometric analysis of the effects of platelet-rich fibrin on bone regeneration in the rabbit calvarium

Abstract Objective The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) on bone regeneration when used alone or in combination with hydroxyapatite (HA)/beta-tricalcium phosphate (βTCP). Design In this study, 20 New Zealand white rabbits were used and four calvarial defects were prepared in each animal. PRF, Straumann ® Bone Ceramic (SBC), or PRF + SBC was applied to the defects; one defect was left untreated as a control. Ten rabbits were sacrificed at week 4 ( T 1 ) and 10 at week 8 ( T 2 ). After micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scanning, the samples were sent for histological and histomorphometric analysis to evaluate and compare the volume and area of regenerated bone. Results Histomorphometric and micro-CT analysis showed that both PRF and SBC significantly increased bone regeneration at T 1 and T 2 ( P T 1 and T 2 compared with that when PRF or SBC was used alone ( P Conclusions PRF has a positive effect on bone formation when used alone and in combination with HA/βTCP.