Abstract
Background: The maintenance of periimplant bone is a major factor in the prognosis of prosthetic rehabilitation supported by implants. In an attempt to improve long-term bone maintenance around dental implants, a new implant-to abutment connection referred to as “platform switching” has been proposed.1Lazzara R.J. Porter S.S. Platform switching: a new concept in implant dentistry for controlling postrestorative crestal bone levels.Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent. 2006; 26: 9-17PubMed Google Scholar Objectives: To compare the crestal bone height changes around dental implants with platform- and nonplatform-switched abutment inserted using computed tomography-based software planning and computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) guided surgical template. Methods: A total of 14 implants were placed and patients were divided into two groups. Seven implants with a diameter of 4.6 mm and restored with platform-switched abutments (3.5 mm) served as the test group. Seven implants with a diameter of 4.6 mm and restored with a horizontally matching abutment diameter served as the control group. Standardised digital panoramic images were obtained for evaluation of marginal bone levels at the time of placements of prosthesis (baseline), 6 and 12 months follow-up. All implants were placed with CAD/CAM-generated surgical guides after virtual planning of implant placement. Findings: The platform-switched implants exhibited statistically significant less bone loss at time of insertion of the definitive prosthesis (0.93 ± 0.10 mm versus 1.40 ± 0.26, P < 0.05) and at one year (1.47 ± 0.15 versus 2.19 ± 0.15 mm, P < 0.05) when compared to the nonplatform-switched implants. Conclusion: It can be concluded that platform switching is capable of reducing or eliminating crestal bone loss.
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