Effect of Platform Shift/Switch and Concave Abutments on Crestal Bone Levels and Mucosal Profile following Flap and Flapless Implant Surgery

Inãki Gamborena, Jaebum Lee, Tiago Fiorini, Brent A. Wenzel, Peter Schüpbach, Ulf M E Wikesjö, Cristiano Susin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Crestal remodeling/bone loss appears to be a common sequel to dental implant placement. Several hypotheses/clinical strategies have been proposed to explain/avert crestal remodeling; however, causative mechanisms remain unclear and the efficacy of these clinical approaches uncertain. Objective: The objective of the present study was to provide a histological account of crestal bone levels and mucosal profile at platform shift/switch and concave abutments following flapless and conventional flap surgery and subcrestal implant placement using a dog model. Methods: Four dental implants each were placed in the left/right mandibular posterior jaw quadrants in five adult male Hound/Labrador mongrel dogs using flap surgery with a 1×5mm gap defect or using a flapless approach, both involving placement 2mm subcrestally and platform shift/switch versus concave abutments. Block biopsies for histological/histometric analysis were collected at 8 weeks. Results: No significant differences were observed regarding crestal bone levels, with all groups showing mean bone levels above the implant platform. Similarly, crestal bone-implant contact was not significantly different among groups. Moreover, peri-implant mucosal profiles were not statistically different among groups for buccal sites; average mucosal height reached 4.1 to 4.9mm above the implant platform. Comparison between buccal and lingual sites showed a nonsignificant tendency toward greater crestal resorption at buccal sites, adjusting for other factors. Mean crestal bone-implant contact level approximated the implant platform for lingual sites while consistently remaining below the platform at the buccal sites. Peri-implant mucosal height was significantly higher at buccal than at lingual sites, with the epithelial attachment located a significant distance away from the implant platform at buccal sites. Conclusions: The surgical approaches (subcrestal implant placement by flap surgery or a flapless approach) and abutment designs (platform shift/switch or concave) used in this study seem to have a limited impact on crestal remodeling, associated bone loss, and mucosal profile. Bioclinical strategies should be developed to circumvent the limitations of current clinical protocol.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)908-916
Number of pages9
JournalClinical implant dentistry and related research
Volume17
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2015

Keywords

  • Alveolar bone
  • Animal models
  • Crestal resorption/remodeling
  • Dental implants
  • Platform shift/switch

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oral Surgery
  • General Dentistry

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