Abstract
PURPOSE: The interest in mechanical properties of membranes derived from different autologous platelet concentrates (PCs) stems from the need to possess certain qualities to bring about the necessary clinical outcomes as regenerative materials. Despite recent advances leading to procurement of membranes from variety of PCs, there is a dearth in studies comparing and evaluating the mechanical characterisation of these potential membranes. Hence, the present study evaluated the mechanical properties of five different PCs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 9 mL of intravenous blood was taken and collected at different intervals for procurement of Leukocyte Rich Platelet Rich Fibrin (L-PRF), Advanced-Platelet Rich Fibrin (A-PRF), Titanium-Platelet Rich Fibrin (T-PRF), Selphyl Platelet Rich Fibrin Matrix (Selphyl PRFM), Merisis Platelet Rich Fibrin Matrix (Merisis PRFM). Dynamic Mechanical Analysis technique by surface indentation test using a Triboindenter at 200 μN load was performed to analyse the mechanical properties (hardness, storage modulus, loss modulus, and Tan δ) of the samples. RESULTS: On comparing the hardness, it was found that A-PRF, Merisis PRFM and Selphyl PRFM demonstrated higher hardness. As for storage modulus, loss modulus and Tan δ, PRFM group (Merisis PRFM and Selphyl PRFM) performed significantly (p < 0.01) better than PRF group (L-PRF, A-PRF, T- PRF). CONCLUSION: Platelet Rich Fibrin Matrix group membranes demonstrated superior mechanical properties in comparison to PRF group membranes, and therefore seem a preferable choice as barrier membranes as well as for various regeneration purposes.