Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 15, 2026
11:51
An Improved Mechanical Testing Method to Assess Bone-implant Anchorage
Published on: February 10, 2014
Evaluation of hard tissue response around wider platform-switched implants
Roberto Cocchetto1, Tonino Traini, Floriana Caddeo
1Dental School, University G d'Annunzio, Chieti-Pescara, Italy.
Summary
Increasing the gap between implant and abutment diameters may reduce bone loss around dental implants. This platform switching technique helps preserve crestal bone, improving long-term implant success.
Area of Science:
- Dental Implantology
- Periodontology
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Platform switching, using a narrower abutment on a wider implant platform, is known to reduce peri-implant bone resorption.
- The implant-abutment microgap is a critical factor influencing bone levels around dental implants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if increasing the platform discrepancy (implant diameter vs. abutment diameter) further reduces crestal bone loss.
- To evaluate the effect of enhanced platform switching on peri-implant bone levels.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 10 patients with 15 Certain PREVAIL implants (5.0 mm body, 5.8 mm platform) connected to 4.1 mm healing abutments.
- Radiographic analysis of peri-implant bone levels at multiple time points: pre-surgery, post-surgery, 8 weeks, prosthesis insertion, and 12 and 18 months post-loading.
Main Results:
- The average peri-implant bone loss observed was 0.30 mm over 18 months post-loading.
- Implants with a greater discrepancy between platform and abutment diameters showed minimal bone loss.
Conclusions:
- Increasing the diameter difference between the implant platform and the restorative abutment may decrease coronal bone loss.
- Enhanced platform switching appears to be a viable strategy for preserving peri-implant bone height.
