In vitro investigation of the effect of laser on platelet-rich fibrins

TL;DR

This study explores how laser treatment affects the structure and durability of platelet-rich fibrin membranes used in dental procedures.

Contribution

The novel use of laser photobiomodulation to enhance the structural properties of L-PRF and T-PRF membranes is investigated.

Findings

Laser-treated membranes showed a denser and more complex fibrin network structure.

Degradation percentages were not significantly different between laser-treated and non-treated membranes.

Laser treatment significantly increased the structural density of both L-PRF and T-PRF membranes.

Abstract

This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the effect of laser photobiomodulation on the structural integrity and degradation resistance of two types of platelet-rich fibrin membranes: Leukocyte- and Platelet-Rich Fibrin (L-PRF) and Titanium-Prepared Platelet-Rich Fibrin (T-PRF). Structural changes in the fibrin network were assessed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and light microscopy.

Our study was performed on 15 systemically healthy individuals and four L-PRF and four T-PRF membranes obtained from each individual, totaling 120 samples. L-PRF was prepared first using standard vacuum glass tubes. Two weeks later, new blood samples were collected from the same individuals, and T-PRF membranes were prepared using sterile titanium tubes to enhance biocompatibility. Both membrane types were obtained by centrifugation at 2700 revolutions per minute (rpm) for 12 min. Two of the four membranes were treated with a diode laser device at a wavelength of 980 nanometers (nm) and a power of 0.5 W (W) in continuous mode for 3 min at a distance of 1–2 milimeters (mm). The other two membranes were not lasered. One of the laser treated L-PRF and T-PRF membranes was cut in half and stored under appropriate conditions for histological examination and SEM analysis. The other membrane was separated for degradation. The same procedures were performed for L-PRF and T-PRF membranes without laser treatment.

Laser-treated L-PRF and T-PRF membranes showed lower degradation percentages compared to non-laser-treated membranes, but this difference did not reach statistical significance (p > 0.05). However, when laser treated L-PRF and T-PRF membranes were compared, the degradation percentage was significantly higher in L-PRF membrane (p < 0.05). Histologic examination showed that the fibrin network structure of the laser-applied L-PRF and T-PRF membrane groups was significantly denser than the non-laser-applied groups (p < 0.05). SEM analysis revealed that the fibrin network was denser, thicker and more complex in the laser-applied L-PRF and T-PRF membrane groups.

In this study, the biostimulative effect of laser increased the fibrin network thickness, cross-link structure and density of L-PRF and T-PRF membranes. When the degradation percentages on the membranes were evaluated, no significant difference was observed between the groups.

Understanding how laser photobiomodulation affects the structure and degradation resistance of both L-PRF and T-PRF membranes can guide clinicians in selecting the most suitable autologous biomaterial for enhancing wound healing and regenerative outcomes in dental procedures. The structure of PRF membranes used in dentistry can be improved using the biostimulative effect of the laser. This application may increase the use of these autologous and easily obtainable materials in treatments.

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