The Effect of Platform Switching on Periimplant Crevicular Fluid Content During Early Wound Healing.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the soft tissue response and periimplant crevicular fluid (PICF) content around platform-switched (PS) and platform-matched (PM) implants during early healing. Nonsmokers treatment planned to receive a single implant in 2 quadrants were recruited. Two-stage implant placement protocol with 1 PM and 1 PS implant was implemented. Periimplant probing depths (PDs), modified sulcus bleeding index, and plaque indices were recorded, and PICF was collected at 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks after abutment connection. PD readings were higher at week 1 than at week 6 for both groups (P = 0.0005). PD was statistically deeper in PM than in PS at week 1 (P = 0.03). There was a time-dependent decrease in total PICF volume for both groups. This decrease was statistically significant for PS (P = 0.0005), with no differences between the 2 groups at any time (P > 0.05). The decrease observed in both PM and PS for PICF interleukin 6 and macrophage inflammatory protein-1β, and in PS for tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was statistically significant (P ≤ 0.03). TNF-α was statistically higher in PS than in PM at week 1 (P = 0.005). Within the limits of this study, it seems that periimplant soft tissue response around PM and PS implants is mostly similar during the early healing period.