上颌单颗前牙不翻瓣即刻种植的临床应用研究

目的：研究上颌单颗前牙不翻瓣即刻种植的短期临床效果。方法：17例上颌单颗前牙微创拔除后不翻瓣即刻植入种植体,经软组织塑形后,完成最终上部结构。随访3-9个月,对种植体周围软硬组织进行评价。结果：17例种植体均获得良好骨结合,种植体无松动脱落。种植体周围软硬组织状态良好,美学效果满意。结论：上颌单颗前牙不翻瓣即刻种植短期内可获得较满意的临床效果。     

下颌磨牙即刻种植临床探讨

目的：介绍一种简单易行的下颌磨牙即刻种植方法并对其临床效果进行评估。方法：20颗下颌磨牙经微创拔牙后,不翻瓣植入特定形状的种植体和愈合基台,无须植入人工骨或覆盖胶原膜,种植体采用穿龈愈合方式。种植体植入3个月后常规印模,完成上部结构修复。种植体完成修复后随访3-24月。结果：所有的种植体均获得良好的骨结合,种植体周软硬组织保持完好,美学效果令人满意。随访期内所有种植牙正常行使功能。结论：下颌磨牙不翻瓣即刻种植方法简单易行,临床效果可靠,减少了手术次数,缩短了治疗时间,降低了治疗费用,值得临床推广。     

Benex微创拔牙技术在前牙不翻瓣即刻种植中的临床应用

目的:探讨Benex微创拔牙技术在前牙不翻瓣即刻种植中的技术要点,并评价其临床效果.方法:25例无法保留、需要拔除并具备即刻种植适应证的上前牙残根患者,接受Benex微创拔牙不翻瓣即刻种植.种植体植入同期安装愈合基台,4～6个月后行纵向螺钉固定,暂时冠修复,进行软组织塑形,3个月后完成永久修复.记录拔牙所需时间并应用视觉模拟评估量表(VAS)评估该方法的难易程度.影像学检查评估种植术后即刻及种植修复后1年种植体骨结合及边缘骨吸收.根据改良软组织美学指数(PES)评价拔牙术前及修复1年后的牙龈美学效果.采用SPSS13.0软件包对数据进行统计学分析.结果:25颗种植体均获得良好的骨结合,随访期间无种植体脱落,修复后1年种植体边缘骨吸收(0.21±0.23) mm.拔牙后PES为8.8±1.19,与拔牙前相比,差异无显著性(P＞0.05).拔牙平均需时6.87 min,操作相对简便,VAS值为3.32.所有患者对拔牙过程及修复效果满意.结论:Benex微创拔牙技术操作简单,适用于上颌前牙不翻瓣即刻种植,对软、硬组织无损伤,患者对治疗过程及种植修复效果满意.     

后牙即刻种植的临床观察

目的 :评价后牙即刻种植的方法、效果以及临床意义。方法 :对能满足即刻种植的20颗后牙经微创拔牙后,翻瓣或不翻瓣植入种植体,种植体周围植入骨粉,翻瓣者则覆盖生物膜。种植体植入3~6个月后常规取模,完成上部修复结构。种植体完成修复后随访6~34个月。结果:所有种植牙随访期间内正常行使功能,美学效果令人满意。CT示颊侧骨板骨吸收为(-0.65 mm±1.29 mm);近远中骨吸收为(1.23 mm±0.23 mm)。统计显示:即刻种植术前与术后龈乳头指数及种植体近远中骨吸收无明显差异,即刻种植后种植体颊向骨板吸收及种植体稳定系数与拔牙后牙槽嵴吸收有差异。结论:后牙即刻种植能有效维持种植体周围软硬组织的高度和宽度,对有即刻种植适应证的患者,可减少手术次数,缩短治疗时间,临床效果可靠。     

不翻瓣即刻种植近期临床效果观察

目的 探讨不翻瓣即刻种植术的近期临床效果.方法 拟行种植修复的患者65例,患牙拔除后行不翻瓣即刻种植术,共植入种植体86枚.随访24～48个月,通过临床、X线检查,分析种植体植入后牙龈情况、种植体松动度及种植体周围牙槽骨的吸收情况.结果 随访期间,86枚种植体中2枚因松动拔除,其余种植体周围牙龈无异常,种植体无松动,X线片检查种植体周围无透射影区,获得良好的骨结合,种植体周围软硬组织保持完好,美学效果满意.种植体2年成功率为97.7％.结论 不翻瓣即刻种植的近期临床效果满意.     

数字化导板辅助下左上根折中切牙不翻瓣即刻种植即刻自体冠修复1例报告

评估前牙美学区外伤牙在数字化导板辅助下行不翻瓣即刻种植,即刻自体冠修复的临床美学效果,探讨影响美学区种植修复的临床因素。患者左上中切牙因外伤根折,微创拔除患牙后,在数字化导板辅助下行不翻瓣即刻种植,并当日采用自体冠行即刻临时修复,6个月后制备个体化取模柱行精确取模,完成个体化全瓷基台-氧化锆全瓷冠修复。在18个月的随访期内,本病例获得了良好的“红白”美学修复效果,影像学检查显示种植体周围骨结合良好,边缘骨水平无吸收。该病例表明在数字化导板辅助下,美学区外伤牙行不翻瓣即刻种植,即刻自体冠修复,可以获得良好的“红白”美学修复效果。     

薄龈生物型患者前牙区的即刻种植即刻修复

目的 评估美学区不翻瓣即刻种植即刻修复+软组织增量技术在薄龈生物型患者中的临床应用效果。方法 选择12例薄龈生物型患者,上颌中切牙或侧切牙无法保留,进行不翻瓣即刻种植、即刻修复,4个月后进行软组织移植,再过3个月后完成最终修复。修复后随访1年,观察种植体周围软硬组织情况,统计种植体存留率、种植体唇侧骨板厚度、种植修复体与邻牙唇侧牙龈的协调性和患者主观满意度。结果 在观察期内,所有种植体均获得了良好的骨整合,存留率100%。CBCT测量,3例种植体唇侧骨板厚度大于1.5 mm,9例大于2 mm。10例种植修复体唇侧龈缘位置与邻牙协调无差异,2例轻度差异;全部12例种植修复体与邻牙牙龈颜色质地协调无差异。患者主观满意度VAS平均值为95。结论 不翻瓣即刻种植即刻修复+软组织增量是针对薄龈生物型患者美学区种植的有效技术,能减少美学并发症,获得稳定的美学效果以及很高的患者满意度。     

Straumann种植体在上颌前牙区即刻种植修复中的应用

目的 评估Straumann种植体即刻种植修复上颌前牙区的近期临床效果。方法 临床选择28例上前牙残根患者,在拔牙后即刻植入Straumann种植体40枚。其中11例15个牙位行不翻瓣种植,17例25个牙位采取翻瓣GBR技术即刻种植。3～9个月后行永久性修复。随访3～36月,临床观察种植体、基台和牙冠的稳固性,牙龈组织、龈乳头情况及牙冠美观状况。结果 所有种植体均发生骨结合,无松动现象,未见种植体周围炎表现,即刻种植存活率为100%。不翻瓣种植病例的唇侧龈缘无明显退缩,牙龈乳头无明显丧失;翻瓣植骨的病例唇侧牙龈缘少许退缩,牙龈乳头轻度丧失。修复体外形美观,周围牙龈形态正常,功能良好,患者满意。结论 在严格掌握适应证和注意术中术后各种细节的情况下,应用Straumann种植体即刻种植修复上颌前牙区可获得理想的美学修复效果。     

微创拔牙即刻种植的临床观察

目的:探讨微创拔牙即刻种植技术的临床可行性。方法:25例上前牙单个缺失病例,行不翻瓣微创拔牙后即刻植入28枚种植体,同期安装愈合基台直接暴露于口腔中,即非埋入式种植术,六个月后行永久修复。结果:28枚种植体均获得良好的骨性结合。其中21颗牙位种植修复体与邻近天然牙唇侧牙龈位置及牙龈色泽协调一致,7颗牙位不协调,有轻度差异。结论:微创拔牙即刻种植是一项要求较高的技术,须严格掌握适应征,严格操作规程,才能达到理想的远期修复效果。     

牙龈原位扩增技术在上颌前牙即刻种植中的应用

目的研究牙龈原位扩增技术在上颌前牙即刻种植中的短期临床效果。方法对16例拟行即刻种植的上颌前牙残根残冠使用牙龈原位扩增技术,待获得足够牙龈软组织后进行即刻种植,经软组织塑形后,完成最终上部结构。随访3～12个月,对种植体周围软硬组织进行评价。结果16例种植体均获得良好骨结合,种植体无松动、无脱落。种植体周围软硬组织状态良好,美学效果满意。结论上颌前牙即刻种植应用牙龈原位扩增技术短期临床效果满意。     

微创拔牙即刻种植的牙龈美学效果观察

目的探讨微创拔牙即刻种植技术的临床特点及修复后的牙龈美学效果。方法21例上前牙单个缺失病例，行不翻瓣微创拔牙同期23颗种植体即刻植入，并且同期安装愈合基台直接暴露于口腔，即非埋入式种植术式，种植体愈合6个月后进行永久修复。种植永久修复后观察时间平均27．6个月（13～51个月）。根据Jemt牙龈乳头指数（papilla index score，PIS）观察种植体永久修复12个月后的近远中牙龈乳头状况，根据Flirhauser的改良红色美学指数观察种植体永久修复1年后与相邻天然牙唇侧龈缘位置的协调性；唇侧软组织与相邻天然牙唇侧牙龈色泽协调性。结果23颗种植体均获得良好的骨结合；种植修复体近远中PIS均为Ⅱ级以上。种植修复体与相邻天然牙唇侧牙龈缘水平位置协调性一致的15颗，8颗不协调；唇侧软组织色泽与相邻天然牙协调一致的18个牙位，5个牙位有轻度差异。结论微创拔牙即刻种植术是一项要求较高的技术，多因素影响软组织美学效果，严格掌控适应证，才能获得理想修复效果。     

前牙区即刻种植的美学效果观察

目的：探讨前牙区即刻种植永久修复后的牙龈美学效果。方法：22例前牙缺失病例,行不翻瓣拔牙同期植入28颗种植体,上前牙24颗采用非埋入式种植术式,下前牙4颗采用埋入式种植术式,种植体愈合3-4个月进行永久修复。随访时间为12-30个月（平均18个月）。根据Miller牙龈边缘组织退缩分类及Jemt牙龈乳头指数,分别观察种植体永久修复12个月后的牙龈边缘退缩及牙龈乳头状况;根据Albrektsson种植体成功标准,观察所植入的种植体状况。结果：28颗种植体留存率100%。Miller分类,18颗种植体牙龈边缘无退缩;8颗种植体牙龈边缘Ⅰ类退缩;2颗种植体牙龈边缘Ⅱ类退缩。种植修复体近远中Jemt牙龈乳头指数均为Ⅱ级以上。结论：前牙区即刻种植,延期修复是一项较成熟的手术方法,但须严格掌握适应症,才能获得良好的修复效果。     

Ridge alterations following immediate implant placement and the treatment of bone defects with Bio-Oss in an animal model

Background: Conflicting data exist on the outcome of placing Bio‐Oss® (Geitslich Pharm AG, Wolhausen, Switzerland) into extraction sockets. It is therefore relevant to study whether the incorporation of Bio‐Oss into extraction sockets would influence bone healing outcome at the extraction sites. Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess peri‐implant bone changes when implants were placed in fresh extraction sockets and the remaining defects were filled with Bio‐Oss particles in a canine mandible model. Materials and Methods: Six mongrel dogs were used in the study. In one jaw quadrant of each animal, the fourth mandibular premolars were extracted with an elevation of the mucoperiosteal flap; implants were then placed in the fresh extraction sockets and the remaining defects were filled with Bio‐Oss particles. After 4 months of healing, micro‐computed tomography at the implant sites was performed. Osseointegration was calculated as the percent of implant surface in contact with bone. Additionally, bone height was measured in the peri‐implant bone. Results: Average osseointegration was 28.5% (ranged between 14.8 and 34.2%). The mean crestal bone loss was 4.7 ± 2.1 mm on the buccal aspect, 0.4 ± 0.5 mm on the mesial aspect, 0.4 ± 0.3 mm on the distal aspect, and 0.3 ± 0.4 mm on the lingual aspect. Conclusion: The findings from this study demonstrated that the placement of implants and Bio‐Oss® particles into fresh extraction sockets resulted in significant buccal bone loss with low osseointegration.     

Healing of marginal defects at implants placed in fresh extraction sockets or after 4-6 weeks of healing. A comparative study

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical healing of buccal marginal defects around implants placed in fresh extraction sockets or after several weeks together with barrier membranes and bone graft. Two implant placement protocols were compared: delayed-immediate sites primarily closed by a rotated (full thickness) palatal flap (RPF) at the time of tooth extraction and implantation after 4-6 weeks (Group 1, 24 patients, n = 31 implants) and immediate procedures (into fresh extraction sockets) primarily closed by a rotated split palatal flap (RSPF) (Group 2, 19 patients, n = 23 implants). One or two proximal maxillary implants were simultaneously placed. Height and width of the marginal defect were measured at the time of implant placement and after 6-8 months, at second stage surgery. For Groups 1 and 2, the mean percentage of the reduced defect height was 91.2% (+/- 9.12) and 77.4% (+/- 16.92), respectively, and the mean percentage area of the reduced defect was 97.2% (+/- 3.85) and 90.2% (+/- 9.15), respectively. Differences between groups were statistically significant. Groups were subdivided according to number of implants placed (one or two). Spontaneous implant cover screw exposure was seen only in Group 2. There was an association between the number of implants simultaneously placed and the occurrence of spontaneous exposure. The mean percentage reduction of the defect height and area was significantly smaller where there was spontaneous exposure. Significant differences were found for mean percentage reduction of the defect height and area only between the two implant subgroups within each group.     

Factors affecting soft tissue level around anterior maxillary single‐tooth implants

Background: Peri‐implant soft tissue recession is a major esthetic concern for the anterior implants. The aim of this study was to determine the factors that affected the facial marginal mucosal level and papilla level around single‐tooth implants in the anterior maxilla. Methods: Forty single‐tooth implants in the anterior maxilla were studied. Variables possibly associated with the soft tissue level were obtained from clinical measurements, study models, peri‐apical radiographs, and computerized tomograms. Fisher's exact test, analysis of variance, and binary logistic regression analysis were used to determine the influence of each factor on the facial marginal mucosal level and papilla level. Results: The majority of the implants (75%) replaced the upper central incisors. The facial mucosal margin of the implant was 0.5±0.9 mm more apical than that of the contralateral tooth. Half or more of papilla fill was observed in 89% of the samples. More apical level of the facial mucosal margin at the implant sites was significantly influenced by many factors including a thin peri‐implant biotype, a proclined implant fixture angle, more apical level of the facial bone crest, increased distance from the contact point to the bone crest, contact point to the platform, and contact point to implant bone. A thin biotype was the most significant factor in determining the facial marginal mucosal level. Increased distance from the contact point to the bone crest was the only factor significantly associated with less papilla fill. Conclusions: The papilla level around single‐tooth implants in the anterior maxilla was mainly influenced by the interproximal bone crest level of the adjacent tooth. Facial marginal mucosal level, on the other hand, was affected by multiple factors including the peri‐implant biotype, the facial bone crest level, the implant fixture angle, the interproximal bone crest level, the depth of implant platform, and the level of first bone to implant contact. To cite this article:
Nisapakultorn K, Suphanantachat S, Silkosessak O, Rattanamongkolgul S. Factors affecting soft tissue level around anterior maxillary single‐tooth implants.
Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 21 , 2010; 662–670.
doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐0501.2009.01887.x     

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??Objective    To observe the clinical efficacy of implant treatment following alveolar ridge preservation in the molar extraction sockets with severe periodontitis and compare it with the natural healing control group. Methods    Ten patients with a total of 13 molar extraction sockets with severe periodontitis receiving implant placement following alveolar ridge preservation??6 patients??6 tooth??or natural healing??5 patients??7 tooth??were recruited in Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology from 2013 to 2016. In a 12-30 months follow-up period??each implant was examined with the following parameters??probing depth??bleeding index??plaque index??papilla index??PI?? and food impaction. Parallel periapical radiographs were taken every 6 months to evaluate the peri-implant marginal bone loss. Success rate was defined using the criteria from Karoussis et al??2004??. Additionally??each patient completed retrospectively a satisfaction questionnaire using Visual Analog Scale ??VAS??. Results    There was a 100% survival rate of implants in both groups. The success rate was around 100% for implants in ridge-preserved sites and around 42.9% for implants in natural healing sites. There were no statistically significant differences in the BI??PLI or PI between two groups except for the PD??P < 0.05??. Marginal bone loss of the implant in both groups at the 12th month after implant loading was <1 mm. After the first year of service??annual marginal bone loss did not exceed 0.2 mm in ridge preservation group??the mesial and distal sites were??0.03 ± 0.16??mm and??0.05 ± 0.10??mm on average. All the patients were satisfied with the implant with VAS ≥ 85. There were no statistically significant differences between PI and food impaction. Conclusion    Implant placement at ridge-preserved molar sites with severe periodontitis is a predictable procedure resulting in very high survival rates and higher success rates compared to implant placement in natural healing sites.     

A retrospective analysis of peri-implant tissue responses at immediate load/provisionalized microthreaded implants

PURPOSE: The aim of this retrospective study was to examine the peri-implant tissue status at immediately provisionalized anterior maxillary implants 12 to 30 months following tooth replacement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 43 microthreaded, TiO2 grit-blasted implants placed in healed ridges and immediate extraction sockets to restore maxillary anterior and premolar teeth in 28 patients. The cortical bone position relative to the implant reference point was evaluated at implant placement and 6 to 30 months following restoration. Radiographs were assessed using 7x magnification. The distance from the reference point to the cortical bone was measured to +/- 0.1 mm. The relationship of the peri-implant mucosa to the incisal edge of the definitive prosthesis was recorded. RESULTS: Four implants in 3 individuals failed during the first 6 weeks following placement and provisional loading. Cortical bone adaptation from the time of implant placement up to 30 months following restoration ranged from 0.0 mm to 1.5 mm (average, 0.33 +/- 0.40 mm mesially and 0.28 +/- 0.37 mm distally). The mean radiographic measurements from the interproximal crestal bone to the contact point were 4.53 +/- -0.91 mm (mesial) and 4.06 +/- 0.98. Maintenance and growth of papilla was observed in this group of immediate provisionalized single-tooth implants. Definitive abutment or abutment screw loosening was not observed. DISCUSSION: The linear clinical and radiographic measures of peri-implant tissue responses suggest that proper implant placement is followed by supracrestal biological width formation along the abutment and preservation of toothlike tissue contours. This may influence buccal peri-implant tissue dimensions. CONCLUSIONS: Generalized maintenance of crestal bone and the increased soft tissue dimension with maintenance of peri-implant papilla were identified as expected outcomes for immediate loading/provisionalization of microthreaded, TiO2 grit-blasted implants. Control of peri-implant tissues can be achieved to provide predictable and esthetic treatment for anterior tooth replacement using dental implants.     

Immediate restoration of implants placed into fresh extraction sockets for single-tooth replacement: a prospective clinical study

The aim of the present clinical study was to evaluate the placement of transmucosal implants into fresh extraction sockets and their immediate restoration with temporary crowns. A series of 22 cases with a 12-month follow-up is presented. Twenty-two patients (15 women and 7 men; mean age 39 years) who needed a single tooth replaced because of vertical or horizontal root fracture, caries, endodontic lesions, or periodontal disease were treated with immediate postextraction implant placement. The implant was then restored with a screw-retained prosthetic restoration within 24 hours. Radiographic assessments were made at baseline and 12 months after implant placement. Clinical parameters, such as plaque score, mucositis score, probing attachment level, mucosal margin position, variation of gingival level, and variation of papilla position, were also measured at baseline and after 12 months of follow-up. At 12 months, no implants had failed. Radiographic examination revealed mean bone resorption of 0.5 mm at 12 months compared to baseline. The mean variation of gingival level, compared to the neighboring teeth, was -0.75 mm. Probing attachment levels were 0.79, 0.45, and 0.54 mm at proximal, buccal, and lingual sites, respectively. The values for the mucosal margin position were 2.9, 2.2, and 2.4 mm at proximal, buccal, and lingual sites, respectively. Regarding variation of papilla position, according to Jemt's index, 27 papillae presented with a score of 2 (61%) and 17 with a score of 3 (39%). An examination of oral hygiene and peri-implant soft tissue conditions at the 12-month follow-up visit revealed an overall frequency of plaque-carrying implant surfaces of 13%. Furthermore, mucositis (score 2) was not observed at any of the peri-implant units. Primary implant stability did not significantly increase over time. The immediate restoration of dental implants placed into fresh extraction sockets was shown to be a safe and predictable procedure. The success rate and radiographic and clinical results were comparable to those obtained following the standard protocol. Within the limits of the present investigation, immediate restoration of single-tooth implants placed in fresh extraction sockets can be considered a valuable option to replace a missing tooth. However, long-term clinical trials are needed to confirm the present results.     

Replacement of teeth exhibiting periapical pathology by immediate implants: a prospective, controlled clinical trial

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to test whether or not immediate implantation leads to more biological complications, when performed at extraction sockets of teeth exhibiting periapical pathology compared with teeth not exhibiting periapical pathology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 17 consecutively admitted patients, immediate implant placement was planned in order to replace single teeth exhibiting periapical pathology (test group). These teeth demonstrated pain, periapical radiolucency, fistula, suppuration or a combination of these findings. Another 17 consecutively admitted patients in need of single tooth replacement in the absence of periapical pathology served as the control group. Implant placement and accompanying bone regeneration were performed according to standard clinical procedures. Implants were loaded after a healing period of 3 months. Clinical and radiographical parameters were assessed at the time of implant placement (baseline) and at 12 months thereafter. RESULTS: Out of the 34 patients, four test and one control patient had to be withdrawn from the study due to the inability to obtain primary implant stability. The residual 29 implants revealed a survival rate of 100% 1 year after placement. Clinical and radiographical differences between 12 months and baseline comparing test and control groups showed no statistical significances for any of the parameters assessed. Within test and control groups there was a statistically significant loss of vertical bone height at the adjacent teeth (mesial test=0.4+/-0.6 mm, control=0.4+/-0.5 mm; distal test=0.3+/-0.2 mm, control=0.7+/-0.8 mm) as well as at the implant site (mesial test=1.9+/-1.4 mm, control=1.8+/-1.1 mm; distal test=1.7+/-1.4 mm, control=1.6+/-1.1 mm) and of buccal keratinized mucosa (test=-2.2+/-1.2 mm; control=-1.3+/-1.6 mm) between baseline and 12 months. During the first 13 weeks of healing, two sites of the test and one site of the control group showed signs of infection, which required intervention. Neither the incident of early exit nor of signs of infection was statistically significantly different between the test and the control group (Mann-Whitney U test). CONCLUSION: It is concluded that for those implants where primary stability was achieved, the immediate implant placement performed at extraction sockets exhibiting periapical pathology did not lead to an increased rate of complications and rendered an equally favorable type of tissue integration of the implants in both groups. Implant placement into such sites can, therefore, be successfully performed.     

Preservation of peri-implant soft and hard tissues using platform switching of implants placed in immediate extraction sockets: a proof-of-concept study with 12- to 36-month follow-up

PURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to evaluate the soft- and hard-tissue response to immediately placed implants. In addition, assessment was conducted of the soft tissue response to a transmucosal abutment which was narrower than the implant platform. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted to evaluate 10 consecutively placed immediately loaded implants placed in extraction sockets in maxillae without compromised bone tissue. The infection control phase of periodontal therapy was completed in the areas of hopeless teeth prior to extraction. Implants with a 6-mm-platform diameter were placed immediately into the fresh extraction sockets. A provisional 4-mm-diameter transmucosal abutment was subsequently connected, and a provisional crown was adapted and adjusted for nonfunctional immediate positioning. Three months following implant placement, definitive prosthetic rehabilitation was performed. At the time of prosthesis insertion (baseline) and every 6 months thereafter, radiographic assessments, pocket probing depth (PPD), recession, and papilla height were measured. An image analysis software application was used to compare the radiographic bone crestal bone heights at the mesial and distal aspects of the implants. RESULTS: Nine patients with 10 sites were treated. Mean follow-up time was 22 months (range, 18 to 36 months). All 10 implants were found to be clinically osseointegrated. Software analysis of radiographic films showed a bone resorption of 0.78 +/- 0.36 mm. The mean values were significantly lower (P < or = .005) than a mean reference value of 1.7 mm. PPD did not exceed 3 mm in any site (average, 2.8 mm). Rather than recession, there was a mean gain in the buccal margin of 0.2 mm and a mean gain in papilla height of 0.25 mm. CONCLUSION: This proof-of-concept study suggests that immediate loading with platform switching can provide peri-implant hard tissue stability with soft tissue and papilla preservation. (Case Series)