Effect of Platform Switching on Peri-Implant Bone Levels

Objective: To radiographically assess and compare mean marginal bone loss (MBL) between platform-switched (PS) and platform-matched (PM) dental implants after functional loading Study Design: Quasi-experimental Study Place & Duration of Study: 89 MDC, Kohat, Pakistan; Oct 2022 to July 2023. Methodology: Thirty subjects were selected, divided into 02 study groups (PS and PM), and provided with dental implants. In PS group, implants were platform – switched with a narrow abutment while in PM group, implants were restored with matching diameter abutments. Peri – implant MBL was evaluated radiographically on the mesial and distal aspect of each implant at the time of implant placement (T0), at the time of implant loading (T1) and at 06 months after implant loading (T2). Mean MBL was calculated and compared using independent sample’s t – test. Results: For PS group, mean MBL on the mesial and distal aspect was 0.59 ± 0.40 mm and 0.75 ± 0.61 mm respectively. For PM group, mean MBL on the mesial and distal aspect was 1.37 ± 0.72 mm and 1.65 ± 0.74 mm. Mean difference in MBL between the two groups was statistically significant for both mesial and distal aspects (p=0.001). A moderately strong negative correlation was observed between extent of implant-abutment diameter mismatch and mean MBL around implants. Conclusion: Platform switching helped in limiting marginal bone loss around dental implants. It may serve as a preventive measure in cases where increased bone loss is anticipated.