Restoration of a peri-implant defect by platelet-rich fibrin

Objective. The objective of this study was to evaluate the application of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) into a peri-implant defect in vivo. Study Design. Eight New Zealand white rabbits were used for this study. Two peri-implants with defects sized 3.0 × 5.0 mm (width × length) were prepared after drilling to host the dental implant in the tibia. Subsequently, the 2 dental implants were installed (diameter, 3.0 mm and length, 8.0 mm). In the experimental group, PRF was applied into the bony defect. In the control group, the peri-implant defect was left unfilled. The animals were humanely killed 8 weeks after implantation and histomorphometric analysis was done. Results. In the histomorphometric analysis, mean new bone formation was 29.30% ± 7.50% in the experimental group and 11.06% ± 8.94% in the control group (P = 020). Mean bone-to-implant contact was 39.43% ± 7.39% in the experimental group and 17.11% ± 8.12% in the control group (P = 006). Conclusions. In the animal model, peri-implant defect sized 3.0 × 5.0 mm (width length) was successfully repaired by the application of PRF alone.