Guided Tissue Regeneration Procedures Research Articles

Clinical success of guided tissue regeneration for treating vertical bone and furcation defects in dogs.

This study evaluated the clinical success rate of guided tissue regeneration (GTR) for treating advanced periodontal disease in a large canine cohort. A total of 112 GTR procedures performed from 2003-2021 were retrospectively evaluated, including pre- and post-treatment (3-12 months) periodontal probing depths of 104 treated teeth, dental radiographs of 73 treated teeth, and both diagnostic modalities in 64 treated teeth. Probing depth, radiographically apparent bone height, bone graft material, barrier membrane material, and tooth extraction adjacent to the GTR site were investigated as factors affecting success. Vertical bone defects were evaluated separately from furcation defects. GTR was clinically successful, defined as objective improvement in probing depth, objective decrease in radiographic vertical bone defect, and subjective radiographic gain in bone height in 90.3% of vertical bone defects. Success was significantly associated with the magnitude of initial probing depth and the type of barrier membrane used. GTR was clinically successful, defined as objective improvement in furcation probing and subjective radiographic improvement of the bone in the furcation in 22.2% of furcation defects. When F3 lesions were excluded, GTR was successful in 64.3% of furcation defects. GTR is an appropriate treatment to maintain teeth in the oral cavity of dogs with proper client counseling and patient selection, but it is most likely to be successful in vertical defects.

Novel alendronate and NHS-ester functionalized poly(2-oxazoline)s bone adhesive barrier membranes for guided bone regeneration: Prototype selection and experimental model comparison

In guided tissue regeneration procedures in dentistry and maxillofacial surgery, barrier membranes are generally fixated to prevent membrane dislodgement. However, fixation materials are mostly non-degradable and need to be removed after tissue healing. Novel barrier membranes with bone-adhesive polymer coatings were developed to overcome these disadvantages. Main objective was to assess whether membranes coated with poly(2-oxazoline) polymers modified with mineral-adhesive alendronate groups (POx-Ale and POx-OH-Ale) and/or amine-reactive N-hydroxysuccinimide groups (POx-OH-NHS) exhibit increased fixation to bone compared to uncoated membranes. Secondly, we aimed to validate initial membrane performance in a newly developed ex vivo model to reduce the use of animal experiments in future. Prototype membranes were evaluated on extraoral bone defects in in vivo and ex vivo experiments. Adhesion and cohesion of membranes were scored five minutes after application on a four-point (0–3) Likert scale. POx-OH-NHS-coated membranes showed highest bone-adhesion in both the ex vivo and in vivo pig model, median scores (IQR): 3 (2.75–3.0) and 2 (2.0–3.0), respectively. Additional functionalization of membranes with alendronate-functionalized POx polymers (POx-Ale and POx-OH-Ale) did not further enhance adhesion, whereas membranes coated with these polymers without NHS modifications showed no adhesion to in vivo bone (median 0 (0.0–1.0), both membranes). Although small differences in activating clotting time and temperature, both models were physiologically similar. This study showed a good initial performance of POx-OH-NHS-coated barrier membranes regarding bone adhesion and adhesion characteristics. The ex vivo model corresponded well to the in vivo model, which emphasizes the feasibility of using ex vivo models to test barrier membrane performance in maxillofacial surgery.

Histological Evaluation of Guided Bone Regeneration in Osseous Defects Using A Novel Non-Resorbable Membrane

BACKGROUND: Guided bone regeneration and guided tissue regeneration procedures have been performed using barrier membranes in clinical dentistry to enhance bone formation in osseous defects, ridge preservation and reconstruction. Despite the considerable number of new biomaterials that develop with more advantages and fewer disadvantages for bone regeneration, the cost and surgical approach difficulties are still the main obstacles that we tried to overcome using the novel membrane. AIM: Our research aimed to assess histologically the bone formation using the novel membrane in experimental bone defects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our study was conducted on ten mongrel dogs. Each animal presented two groups. The first group was at the left side of the animal mandible which received Bio-Oss only while the right side received Bio-Oss and was covered by the novel non-resorbable membrane. These dogs were sacrificed (3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks) postoperatively for histological assessment of healing and bone formation of osseous defects. RESULTS: The histological evaluation showed that the formation of new bone in group I (Bio-OSS only) was less in amount as compared with group II (Bio-Oss with the novel non-resorbable membrane). CONCLUSION: The present clinical findings revealed that the novel non-resorbable membrane was inert and induced no inflammatory reaction or graft rejection. The study provided histological evidence of new bone formation in close contact with host bone due to osteoconductivity of Bio-Oss and cell occlussiveness of the membrane.

Comparative evaluation of the physical properties of membranes for periodontal regeneration: An In vitro Study

Introduction: Barrier membranes are the devices used in guided tissue regeneration procedures to promote the repopulation of the wound space by periodontal ligament cells. Commercially available membranes have been used widely for periodontal regeneration. The aim of the present study is to compare and evaluate the physical properties of membranes used for periodontal regeneration. Materials and Methods: The tensile strength and surface topography using scanning electron microscope were analysed of three commercially available membranes: chorion membrane, Healiguide™ membrane and PerioCol®-GTR membrane were analysed. Results: The tensile strength of the PerioCol®-GTR membrane was the highest, while that of the Chorion membrane was the least. Variations in the surface topography were observed in all three membranes groups. Conclusion: The study demonstrated variation in surface topography and tensile strength of the resorbable periodontal membranes, suggestive of differences in the time of resorption during regenerative periodontal procedures.

Evaluating Change of Marginal Bone Height with Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Following Surgical Treatment with Guided Tissue Regeneration (Bone Grafting) or Access Flap Alone: A Retrospective Study.

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the change of bone height following treatment of human intrabony defects with guided tissue regeneration (GTR) with bone grafting or access flap alone by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan. Materials and methods: This study was conducted as a retrospective longitudinal study. In this study, a total of 2281 teeth sites were included: the GTR group had 1210 sites, and the Flap group had 1071 sites. In the GTR group, demineralized freeze-dried bone (DFDBA) particles in combination with resorbable collagen membrane were used. No regenerative material was applied to the Flap group. CBCT images were taken twice at baseline and at least 2.5 months postoperatively. Bone heights were measured using software on CBCT images. Results: The bony change between the GTR and Flap groups was significantly different (p = 0.00001). Both males and females in the GTR group had smaller bone loss than in the Flap group. In age groups, significant differences of bony height between the GTR and Flap groups were observed in the subgroups consisting of those 29–45 and 46–53 years old. The non-smoking subjects in the GTR group had higher bone heights than those in the Flap group. In the absence of systemic disease and medicine, bone formation was higher in the GTR group than in the Flap group. In terms of oral position, the #14–17, #34–37, and #44–47 subgroups of the GTR group showed higher levels of bone heights than those of the Flap group. Conclusions. The results of this study indicated that the GTR procedure offers the additional benefit of higher bone heights than the Flap procedure does.

Mussel-inspired antimicrobial coating on PTFE barrier membranes for guided tissue regeneration

Guided tissue regeneration procedures to treat periodontitis lesions making use of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membranes exhibit large variability in their surgical outcomes, due to bacterial infection following implantation. This work reports on a facile method to obtain antimicrobial coatings for such PTFE membranes, by exploiting a mussel-inspired approach and in-situ formation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). PTFE films were initially coated with self-polymerized 3,4-dihydroxy-DL-phenylalanine (DOPA) (PTFE-DOPA), then incubated with AgNO3 solution. In the presence of catechol moieties, Ag+ ions reduced into Ag0, forming AgNPs of around 68 nm in the polyDOPA coating on PTFE membranes (PTFE-DOPA-Ag). The x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy analyses indicated that the AgNPs were distributed quite homogeneously in the polymeric membrane. The antimicrobial ability of PTFE-DOPA-Ag membranes against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was assessed. In vitro cell assay using NIH 3T3 fibroblasts showed that, although cells were adhered to PTFE-DOPA-Ag membranes, their viability and proliferation were limited demonstrating again the antibacterial activities of PTFE-DOPA-Ag membranes. This work provides proof-of-concept study of a new versatile approach for AgNPs coating, which may be easily applied to many other types of polymeric or metallic implants through exploiting the adhesive behavior of mussel-inspired coatings.

Jelly-Inspired Injectable Guided Tissue Regeneration Strategy with Shape Auto-Matched and Dual-Light-Defined Antibacterial/Osteogenic Pattern Switch Properties.

Periodontitis is a bacterial infectious disease leading to the loss of periodontal supporting tissues and teeth. The current guided tissue regeneration (GTR) membranes for periodontitis treatments cannot effectively promote tissue regeneration for the limited antibacterial properties and the excessively fast degradation rate. Besides, they need extra tailoring according to variform defects before implantation, leading to imprecise match. This study proposed an injectable sodium alginate hydrogel composite (CTP-SA) doped with cubic cuprous oxide (Cu2O) and polydopamine-coated titanium dioxide (TiO2@PDA) nanoparticles for GTR. Inspired by the gelation process of the jelly, the phase change (liquid to solid) of CTP-SA after injection could automatch variform bone defects. Meanwhile, CTP-SA exhibited broad-spectrum antibacterial capabilities under blue light (BL) irradiation, including Streptococcus mutans (one of the most abundant bacteria in oral biofilms). Moreover, the reactive oxygen species released under BL excitation could accelerate the oxidation of Cu+ to Cu2+. Afterward, osteogenesis could be enhanced through two factors simultaneously: the stimulation of newly formed Cu2+ and the photothermal effect of CTP-SA under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation. Collectively, through this dual-light (blue and NIR) noninvasive regulation, CTP-SA could switch antibacterial and osteogenic modes to address requirements of patients at different healing stages, thereby realizing the customized GTR procedures.

Quantification of growth factors in advanced platelet-rich fibrin and concentrated growth factors and their clinical efficacy as adjunctive to the GTR procedure in periodontal intrabony defects.

The development of platelet concentrated biomaterials has gained increasing awareness for regenerative medicine. With different protocol, derivatives such as advanced platelet-rich fibrin (A-PRF), injected platelet-rich fibrin, and concentrated growth factor (CGF) have been demonstrated effectively in preclinical and clinical studies. The aim of this study was to compare the level of growth factors releasing from A-PRF and CGF, and their clinical efficacy in the regenerative management of intrabony defects (IBDs). Thirty-two blood samples were collected from eight healthy donors and assessed for platelet-derived growth factor-αβ, vascular endothelial growth factor, bone morphogenetic protein-2, and transforming growth factor-β1 release at indicated times. In addition, the clinical records of 45 patients (15 per group) who had undergone guided tissue regeneration (GTR) with or without A-PRF/CGF were retrieved. The probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were recorded preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. Intrabony component (IC) depth, radiographic bone level (RBL), and bone defect filling were assessed radiographically. A-PRF had a looser fibrin network than the CGF but presented larger amounts of growth factors with a more sustained release period. Although there was no difference in PD reduction, CAL gain, RBL height change and defect filling (%) between A-PRF and CGF group, both achieved a more favorable clinical result in IC height reduction and defect filling (%) than the control. A-PRF and CGF have the ability to stimulate a continual and steady release of total growth factors over a 14-day period. A-PRF and CGF show a similar effectiveness in periodontal bone regeneration with a potential benefit of improving GTR outcomes in IBD treatment.

Surgical Treatment of Periodontal Diseases—a Review of Current Clinical Research

This manuscript reviews the literature concerning the surgical treatment of periodontal diseases focusing on studies published within the last three years (2016–2019). A thorough review of four databases was completed including clinical human research studies and systematic reviews. Several recent studies have focused on evaluating the effects of combining alloplastic materials with autologous platelet-rich products and growth factors. The results of most of these studies are similar to those with traditionally used allografts. New membranes of human, animal, stem cell, or alloplastic origin, used for guided tissue regeneration procedures, perform similarly to the traditionally used resorbable collagen membranes. Addition of pharmacologic agents to regenerative procedures presents moderately favorable results. Tissue engineering and stem cell research are also expanding, although most of these studies are in vitro or in animal models. Newer minimally invasive surgical techniques and equipment that allow for better visibility and less invasive surgical approach have shown favorable results. Finally, systematic reviews conclude that there is lack of evidence to support LASERs as an alternative to more traditional surgical periodontal treatment. The focus of many recent human clinical studies has been to evaluate the combination of alloplastic and xenogeneic materials with autologous platelet-rich products, growth factors, and pharmacologic agents. The results of these combinations are similar to traditionally used allografts. The great variability between study design, materials, and techniques highlights the need for well-designed randomized controlled trials and longitudinal studies.

Incorporation of Fibrin Matrix into Electrospun Membranes for Periodontal Wound Healing.

Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) aims to regenerate the lost attachment apparatus caused by periodontal disease through the use of a membrane. The goal of this study is to create and characterize a novel hybrid membrane that contains biologically active fibrin matrix within a synthetic polycaprolactone (PCL) electrospun membrane. Three-dimensional fibrin matrices and fibrin-incorporated electrospun membrane were created from fresh frozen plasma by centrifugation in glass vials under three different conditions: 400 g for 12 min, 1450 g for 15 min and 3000 g for 60 min. Half the membranes were crosslinked with 1% genipin. Degradation against trypsin indicated biologic stability while uniaxial tensile testing characterized mechanical properties. Continuous data was analyzed by ANOVA to detect differences between groups (p = 0.05). Fibrin-incorporated electrospun membranes showed statistically significant increase in mechanical properties (elastic modulus, strain at break and energy to break) compared to fibrin matrices. While crosslinking had marginal effects on mechanical properties, it did significantly increase biologic stability against trypsin (p < 0.0001). Lastly, membranes generated at 400 g and 1450 g were superior in mechanical properties and biologic stability compared to those generated at 3000 g. Fibrin-incorporated, crosslinked electrospun PCL membranes generated at lower centrifugation forces offers a novel strategy to generate a potentially superior membrane for GTR procedures.

Split Thickness Skin Grafts (STSG): Approach in necrotising fasciitis, a rare case report

Treatment of necrotising fasciitis including systemic antibiotic and radical surgical debridement is often resulting in large wounds that need to be closed using methods such as split-thickness skin grafts, local flaps, or guided tissue regeneration procedures. In this case report, 53 year-old male was diagnosed with necrotising fasciitis and treated surgically. The wound was treated initially with extensive debridement, wound treatment with platelet-rich plasma and finally closing the wound with split-thickness skin grafts. Split-thickness skin grafts can provide fast recovery and functional skin.

Kronik Periodontitisli Bir Hastada Kemik İçi Defektlerin Rejeneratif Tedavisi: Vaka Raporu

New attachment achieved by conventional periodontal surgery performed to gain access to diseased root surfaces and to remove local factors such as plaque and endotoxins, usually results in the formation of long junctional epithelium. On the contrary, guided tissue regeneration procedure in which a barrier is utilized to exclude gingival epithelium and connective tissue from the root surface, has been shown to partially regenerate lost periodontal tissues. This case report presents regenerative periodontal treatment of a 38-year old female attending with a complaint of painless swelling in the mandibular left second molar region. The patient was diagnosed as chronic periodontitis based on clinical and radiographic findings and intrabony defects were observed at teeth #14, #15, #16, #25 and #37. After initial periodontal treatment, flap operation with the principles of guided tissue regeneration was performed for treatment of intrabony defects. After 4-year follow-up period, evidence of bone fill and no sign of recurrence were seen at defect sites. It was concluded that regenerative treatment of intrabony periodontal defects by the use of bovine xenograft and collagen membrane combination provides favourable clinical and radiographic outcomes in chronic periodontitis patients and could be maintained up to 4 years successfully.

Processing of Biopolymers-based, Efficiently Integrated Bilayer Membranes for Use in Guided Tissue Regeneration Procedures

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the tooth supporting structures - the alveolar bone in particular, to extent of eventual tooth loss. Among others, the guided tissue regeneration (GTR) procedure including placement of occlusive barrier membrane is very promising approach. Herein we develop chitosan (CHT) / gelatin (GEL) bilayer membranes via successive solvent– and freeze-casting procedures and genipin (GEN)-mediated cross-linking chemistry. By utilizing the auto-fluorescence signal from GEN cross-linking products (i.e. the secondary CHT (GEL) amines and GEN esters), the Confocal Fluorescent Microscopy (CFM) identifies the chemical as well as physical integration between layers´ interfaces, supported also by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) data. The presence of non- and highly μ-porous and pore-interconnecting regions is demonstrated within cross-sections of GEL-prevalent membranes in contrast to the sheet-like organization in membrane with equal components presence. The constant processing conditions onto variable compositions did not significantly affect the pore size distributions (in 1-230 μm range), while pore wall thickness increases up to 220 μm with GEL increase, which also improves the yield stress at compression from 10 to 19 kPa and elastic modulus from 26 to 34 kPa. The further applied rapid mineralization resulted in deposition of non-regular to spherical minerals, containing nonstoichiometric carbonated apatite with Ca/P ration in 1.7-2 range, which demonstrates formation of osseointegrative interface. The intensive, composition-dependent swelling (up to 580%), as well as 67% to 100% weigh loss in 4 weeks in vitro degradation experiment imply on bilayer membranes GTR relevance.

Periodontal regeneration of dehisence defects using a modified perforated collagen membrane. A comparative experimental study

Placement of occlusive barrier membranes in guided tissue regeneration procedures is thought to deprive the wound area from the regenerative capacity of periosteal and gingival mesenchymal stem cells. The current study was performed to determine the effect of perforated collagen membranes in enhancing periodontal tissue regeneration when compared to conventional occlusive barriers. Sixteen critical-sized dehiscence defects (4 × 5 mm) were surgically created in the mandibular canine teeth of eight dogs, bilaterally. Eight defects were managed by β-Tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) alloplast and modified perforated collagen membrane, the contra lateral defects were managed by β-TCP alloplast and occlusive collagen membrane. Dogs were sacrificed after one and two months. Defect sites were dissected, fixed and processed for histologic examination. Both test and control groups resulted in complete periodontal regeneration including; alveolar bone, cementum and periodontal ligament. However thicker, denser and more organized bone trabeculae with higher maturation rate and significantly higher bone surface area were noted in the perforated membrane group. Hence it was concluded that perforated membranes enhance periodontal regeneration probably by allowing periosteal and gingival mesenchymal stem cells to participate in the regenerative procedure.

PR342: Clinical outcomes of guided tissue regeneration procedure utilized with two different surgical approaches – a comparative study

PR342: Clinical outcomes of guided tissue regeneration procedure utilized with two different surgical approaches – a comparative study

3D-printed membrane for guided tissue regeneration

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is currently being intensely studied for a diverse set of applications, including the development of bioengineered tissues, as well as the production of functional biomedical materials and devices for dental and orthopedic applications. The aim of this study was to develop and characterize a 3D-printed hybrid construct that can be potentially suitable for guided tissue regeneration (GTR). For this purpose, the rheology analyses have been performed on different bioinks and a specific solution comprising 8% gelatin, 2% elastin and 0.5% sodium hyaluronate has been selected as the most suitable composition for printing a structured membrane for GTR application. Each membrane is composed of 6 layers with strand angles from the first layer to the last layer of 45, 135, 0, 90, 0 and 90°. Confirmed by 3D Laser Measuring imaging, the membrane has small pores on one side and large pores on the other to be able to accommodate different cells like osteoblasts, fibroblasts and keratinocytes on different sides. The ultimate cross-linked product is a 150μm thick flexible and bendable membrane with easy surgical handling. Static and dynamic mechanical testing revealed static tensile modules of 1.95±0.55MPa and a dynamic tensile storage modulus of 314±50kPa. Through seeding the membranes with fibroblast and keratinocyte cells, the results of in vitro tests, including histological analysis, tissue viability examinations and DAPI staining, indicated that the membrane has desirable in vitro biocompatibility. The membrane has demonstrated the barrier function of a GTR membrane by thorough separation of the oral epithelial layer from the underlying tissues. In conclusion, we have characterized a biocompatible and bio-resorbable 3D-printed structured gelatin/elastin/sodium hyaluronate membrane with optimal biostability, mechanical strength and surgical handling characteristics in terms of suturability for potential application in GTR procedures.

Guided Tissue Regeneration in Four Teeth Using a Liquid Polymer Membrane.

Periodontal disease is one of the most common diseases diagnosed in dogs and cats. Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) is a treatment alternative to extraction of strategically important teeth. The barrier membrane used in the GTR procedure is of key importance. The purpose of this case series was to evaluate a liquid polymer gel as a membrane for GTR. The polymer gel ( N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and poly [DL-lactide]) combined with 8.5% doxycycline hyclate was used in place of a traditional membrane in 4 teeth. The teeth were re-examined 6 months postoperatively for radiographic evaluation. A decrease in probing depth and new alveolar bone formation was seen 6 months postoperatively. Improvement in periodontal disease stage was seen in 2 of the 4 teeth. Larger controlled trials with histopathologic evaluation are indicated to further assess the use of this polymer as a membrane in GTR. However, the clinical outcomes of all 4 treated teeth were considered successful.

Guided Tissue Regeneration to Treat Mucogingival Defects Using a Collagen Sponge as a Space‐Filler Material for Cell Proliferation: Clinical Case Reports With Long‐Term Follow‐Up

Introduction: Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) protocols for root coverage have proposed space‐filler artifacts to create an area between the membrane and the root surface to provide adequate space for cell migration. Extensive instrumentation of the root to obtain a concave shape, suturing of the membrane to keep it convex, or the use of titanium‐reinforced membranes are some of the most common techniques for creating the space needed for regeneration. The primary objective of these case reports is to show the clinical application of collagen sponge as a space‐filler material in cases in which GTR procedures were used to treat marginal tissue recession.Case Presentation: These case reports describe the results obtained with root‐coverage procedures of a Miller Class I defect on the buccal surface of tooth #11 in two patients. Bioabsorbable polyglactin 910 and non‐absorbable expanded polytetrafluoroethylene barrier membranes were used along with a collagen sponge interposed on the root surface. It should be emphasized that the use of the collagen sponge was to create a biologic space and thereby induce cellular proliferation at the site of the recession. Three years after surgery, the treated areas showed complete root coverage with an increase of keratinized and attached gingiva with appropriate contour and thickness.Conclusion: These results demonstrate the possibility of using a collagen sponge as a space‐filler material in cases in which the principles of GTR are used in the successful treatment of root recession.

The influence of root surface distance to alveolar bone and periodontal ligament on periodontal wound healing.

PurposeThe purpose of this animal study was to perform a 3-dimensional micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) analysis in order to investigate the influence of root surface distance to the alveolar bone and the periodontal ligament on periodontal wound healing after a guided tissue regeneration (GTR) procedure.MethodsThree adult Sus scrofa domesticus specimens were used. The study sample included 6 teeth, corresponding to 2 third mandibular incisors from each animal. After coronectomy, a circumferential bone defect was created in each tooth by means of calibrated piezoelectric inserts. The experimental defects had depths of 3 mm, 5 mm, 7 mm, 9 mm, and 11 mm, with a constant width of 2 mm. One tooth with no defect was used as a control. The defects were covered with a bioresorbable membrane and protected with a flap. After 6 months, the animals were euthanised and tissue blocks were harvested and preserved for micro-CT analysis.ResultsNew alveolar bone was consistently present in all experimental defects. Signs of root resorption were observed in all samples, with the extent of resorption directly correlated to the vertical extent of the defect; the medial third of the root was the most commonly affected area. Signs of ankylosis were recorded in the defects that were 3 mm and 7 mm in depth. Density and other indicators of bone quality decreased with increasing defect depth.ConclusionsAfter a GTR procedure, the periodontal ligament and the alveolar bone appeared to compete in periodontal wound healing. Moreover, the observed decrease in bone quality indicators suggests that intrabony defects beyond a critical size cannot be regenerated. This finding may be relevant for the clinical application of periodontal regeneration, since it implies that GTR has a dimensional limit.

In vitro evaluation of mechanical properties of platelet-rich fibrin membrane and scanning electron microscopic examination of its surface characteristics.

Background:The aim of this study was to evaluate the mechanical properties of the platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) membrane and to compare these properties with that of commercially available collagen membranes used for guided tissue regeneration (GTR) procedures. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) examination of PRF membrane was also performed to determine the cell distribution pattern within the different regions of the membrane.Materials and Methods:Modulus of elasticity and hardness of (i) PRF membrane (ii) bovine collagen membrane and (iii) fish collagen membrane were assessed by performing surface indentation test using T1 950 Triboindenter. The in vitro degradation tests were conducted by placing the (i) PRF membrane (ii) bovine collagen membrane and (iii) fish collagen membrane of equal sizes (10 mm × 5 mm) in 5 ml of pH 7.4 phosphate buffer solution on a shaker set at 40 rpm for 1-week. The degradation profiles were expressed as the accumulated weight losses of the membrane. SEM evaluation of the PRF membrane was done under both low and high magnification.Results:Young's Modulus of elasticity was found to be 0.35 GPa for PRF membrane, 2.74 GPa for bovine collagen membrane and 1.92 GPa for fish collagen. The hardness was 10.67 MPa for PRF membrane, 110.7 MPa for bovine collagen membrane and 90.5 MPa for fish collagen membrane. PRF membrane degraded by about 36% of initial weight after a 1-week in vitro shaking test. Fish collagen membrane degraded by about 8% of initial weight, bovine collagen membrane degraded by about 3% of initial weight. Dense clusters of platelets formed due to extensive aggregation, and few leukocytes were observed in buffy coat area.Conclusions:The preliminary findings from the assessment of the mechanical properties of PRF membrane showed that it was lacking in several desired properties when compared to commercially available collagen membranes. Lack of rigidity and faster degradation may limit its application in GTR procedures.