Friction of Laser-Textured Zirconia Coated with a Platelet-Rich Fibrin

In the present in vitro study, we evaluated the adhesion of an injectable platelet-rich fibrin (i-PRF) to laser-textured zirconia surfaces and their resultant friction behavior against bone tissue. Three types of zirconia surfaces were compared regarding the i-PRF coating effects: 1) grit blasted with 250-μm spherical alumina particles and acid etched with 20% hydrofluoric acid (ZLA), 2) laser textured with a random (RD) surface pattern, or 3) laser textured with a designed pattern based on 16 lines and 8 passages (L16N8). The coefficient of friction (COF) of the specimens was assessed on a reciprocating sliding pin-on-plate tribometer at 1-N normal load, 1 Hz, and a 2-mm stroke length. Sliding wear tests were carried out against bovine femoral bone tissue in 0.9% sodium chloride solution at room temperature. Surfaces were then assessed by scanning electron microscopy. COF mean values for test groups (0.35, ZLA; 0.45, L16N8) were lower when compared with the control groups (0.52, ZLA; 0.60, L16N8), with the exception of the RD group (0.47, test; 0.43, control). Results did not show significant differences in COF mean values between RD and L16N8 surfaces after coating with i-PRF. The 3-dimensional fibrin network embedded with leukocytes, platelets, and red blood cells was responsible for decreasing COF mean values over the zirconia surfaces, thus providing a lubricant effect. Also, the morphologic aspects of the laser-treated zirconia surfaces increased the adhesion of the platelet-rich fibrin, which could speed up the osseointegration process of zirconia implants.