Immediate provisionalization on a new implant design for esthetic restoration and preserving crestal bone

PURPOSE: This article describes how the concept of platform switching has been incorporated into a new implant design as a method of reducing crestal bone loss and maintaining the gingival papillae. A 6-month study of the effects of this implant on bone loss is described. MATERIALS: Ten new platform switched implants were placed into fresh anterior maxillary extraction sites in 3 men and 7 women, ranging in age between 29 and 45 years old, and immediately provisionalized. The adjoining bone height was evaluated with digital radiography on the day after implant placement, and at 15 days, 1, 2, 3, and 6 months later. RESULTS: After 6 months, the mean bone loss on the mesial of the central-incisor implants was 0.05 mm. The mean bone loss was 0.07 mm on the distal of the central incisor implants, 0.07 mm on the mesial of the lateral-incisor implants, and 0.06 mm on the distal of the lateral-incisor implants. CONCLUSIONS: An implant design that incorporates the concept of platform switching is a simple and effective way to control circumferential bone loss around dental implants, helping to ensure a predictable esthetic result.