The concept of platform-switching has been introduced to implant dentistry based on clinical observations of reduced periimplant crestal bone loss. However, published available data are controversial and most studies are limited to 12 months. The aim of the present RCT was to test the hypothesis that platform-switching has a positive impact on crestal bone level changes after 3 years.
Two implants with a diameter of 4 mm were inserted crestally in the posterior mandible of 25 subjects. After three months of submerged healing, single-tooth crowns were randomly placed, either with (3.3mm platform, test) or without platform-switching (4mm platform, control). Patients were followed up at short intervals for monitoring of healing an oral hygiene. Statistical analysis for the influence of time and platform-type on bone levels employed the Brunner-Langer Model.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
25
Change of vertical implant bone level
Time frame: Implant insertion (baseline), 3 months (reopening), 4 months (crown mounting), 12, 25 and 38 months
probing depths
Time frame: 4, 8, 12, 25, 38 months
Bleeding
Time frame: baseline, 4, 8, 12, 25, 38 months
Plaque
Time frame: baseline, 4, 8, 12, 25, 38 months
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