Dental Implant Surrounding Marginal Bone Level Evaluation: Platform Switching versus Platform Matching—One-Year Retrospective Study

Abstract

The benefits and feasibility of platform switching have been discussed in several studies, reporting lesser crestal bone loss in platform-switched implants than in platform-matched implants. <i>Objective.</i> The aim of the present study was to observe the changes in vertical and horizontal marginal bone levels in platform-switched and platform-matched dental implants. <i>Materials and Methods.</i> 51 patients received 60 dental implants in the present study over a 1-year period. Measurement was performed between the implant shoulder and the most apical and horizontal marginal defect by periapical radiographs to examine the changes of peri-implant alveolar bone before and 12 months after prosthodontic restoration delivery. <i>Results</i>. These marginal bone measurements showed a bone gain of 0.23 ± 0.58 mm in the vertical gap and 0.22 ± 0.53 mm in the horizontal gap of platform matching, while in platform switching a bone gain of 0.93 ± 1 mm (<i>P</i> < 0.05) in the vertical gap and 0.50 ± 0.56 mm in the horizontal gap was found. The average vertical gap reduction from the baseline until 12 months was 0.92 ± 1.11 mm in platform switching and 0.29 ± 0.85 mm in platform matching (<i>P</i> < 0.05). <i>Conclusions.</i> Within the limitations of the present study, platform switching seemed to be more effective for a better peri-implant alveolar bone vertical and horizontal gap reduction at 1 year.