Introduction: No in vivo study has been reported on the mechanical reinforcement of a tooth after regenerative endodontic treatment (RET). The present work aimed to evaluate the concurrent use of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) with a blood clot (BC) in RET concerning periapical healing, root development, and tooth structural reinforcement.
Methods: In our study, 24 premolars from 3 beagle dogs were assigned into control, BC, and PRF + BC groups. Periapical healing was monitored with quantitative measurements of root elongation and thickening radiographically. Tooth biomechanical integrity was assessed with the fracture resistance test. Histologic evaluation was conducted.
Results: There was a significant difference among the periapical radiolucency decreasing rate of the control (43.75%) and the BC (100%) and PRF + BC (100%) groups (P < .05). The increase of root length and thickness in both the BC and PRF + BC groups was significantly greater than that in the control group (P < .05). No significant difference was detected between the 2 experimental groups regarding periapical healing or root development (P > .05). Teeth in the BC (249.3 ± 64.1 N) and PRF + BC (281.7 ± 37.8 N) groups had significantly higher fracture resistance than those in the control group (108.5 ± 23.3 N) (P < .05). No significant difference was revealed between the BC and PRF + BC groups (P > .05). Histologic evidence of cementumlike tissue deposition along the canal wall with scattered bonelike tissue in the canal was observed.
Conclusions: Either a combination of PRF with BC or BC alone could improve periapical healing, induce root development, and reinforce tooth structure. No additional benefit of PRF to BC in RET was found.
Keywords: Blood clot; cementumlike tissue; fracture resistance; platelet-rich fibrin; regenerative endodontic treatment.
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