Numerous studies have shown that crestal bone resorption around the implant was related to the location of the implant abutment junction(IAJ). Recently it was hypothesized that platform switching termed the inward horizontal repositioning of the IAJ might limit bone resorption around the implants. The purpose of this clinical study was to evaluate the effect of platform switching on crestal bone resorption.

The crestal bone loss of 65 external hex implants in 26 patients were radiographically measured at crown placement and follow-up examinations. 23 standard implants(non-platform switching group, NP) were connected with the matching abutments and 42 wide implants(platform switching group, PS) were connected with the 1 mm smaller diameter abutments.

There was significant difference of crestal bone loss between NP group and PS group. For implants in the NP group, mean crestal bone loss was 1.18±0.68 mm at crown placement and 1.42±0.41 mm at follow-up. The meal bone loss in PS group was 0.47±0.52 mm at crown placement and 0.60±0.65 mm at follow-up. When the crestal bone changes according to placement depths of implants were compared, subcrestal position of IAJ had a significantly less bone loss in PS group, but it was not in NP group.

Within the limits of the present study, it was concluded that platform switching technique might decrease crestal bone loss around the implants. Additionally, when the IAJ of implant was placed 1 mm deeper in the alveolar bone, the effect of platform switching on bone loss was enhanced.