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. Followup 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. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants 2011;26:587–592