The platform switching concept revisited. An experimental study in dogs

Area of Science:

• Dental Implantology
• Periodontology
• Biomaterials Science

Background:

• Immediate implant placement into extraction sockets is a common dental procedure.
• Preservation of peri-implant hard tissues, particularly the buccal bone crest, is crucial for long-term implant success.
• The marginal aspect of dental implants influences bone adaptation and resorption patterns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of implant coronal configuration on peri-implant hard tissue adaptation.
• To compare bone level changes around implants with conventional versus reduced coronal diameters.

Main Methods:

• Six Labrador dogs received immediate implants in extraction sockets.
• Control group: standard cylindrical implants. Test group: implants with a reduced coronal diameter (platform switching).
• Histological analysis was performed after 4 months of healing to assess bone adaptation.

Main Results:

• Significantly less buccal bone resorption was observed with the reduced coronal diameter implants (test group) compared to control implants.
• Osseointegration at the buccal coronal level was more apical in the control group than in the test group.
• All observed differences between the groups were statistically significant.

Conclusions:

• Implants featuring a reduced coronal diameter (platform switching) effectively preserve the buccal bony crest.
• This configuration leads to a more coronal level of bone preservation compared to conventional implants.
• The study validates the efficacy of the platform switching concept in enhancing peri-implant bone stability.