Radiographic Evaluation of Marginal Bone Level Around Internal-Hex Implants with Switched Platform: A Clinical Case Report Series

Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective investigation was to evaluate the influence on the adjacent cervical bone of moving the implant-abutment microgap inward from the outer edge of an internal-hex implant platform (ie, a platform-switched configuration). Materials and Methods: A convenience sample of 26 patients received 42 Frialit-2 (Dentsply-Friadent) implants for single tooth replacement and were divided into two groups. One group followed the original protocol (control group), and the other (study group) received narrower replaceable components. Follow-up time varied between 6 and 60 months (mean, 33.45 months). Results: The control group showed noticeable bone remodeling (mean bone loss = 2.30 mm), and all the remodeled crests were apical to the implant platform. In contrast, all patients in the study (platform-switched) group showed stable levels (mean bone loss = 0.27) of the peri-implant crestal bone, coronal to the implant platform. Conclusion: The relocation of the implant-abutment microgap through platform switching with Frialit-2 System implants seems to be an effective means to minimize marginal bone loss in all circumstances employed. Keywords: marginal bone level, peri-implant bone loss, platform switching