Effect of Platform Switching on Peri-implant Bone Preservation: A 12-Month Clinical Trial

Background: Marginal bone loss around dental implants can compromise long-term success. Platform switching (PS), where a narrower abutment is placed on a wider implant platform, has been suggested to reduce crestal bone loss (CBL). Methods: A prospective, randomized clinical trial was conducted with 60 patients requiring single posterior implants. Patients were randomly assigned to either the PS group (n = 30) or PM group (n = 30). All implants were placed using a standardized surgical protocol. Radiographic bone levels were assessed at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months using standardized periapical radiographs and analyzed using digital software. Clinical parameters such as probing depth (PD), plaque index (PI), and bleeding on probing (BOP) were also recorded. Results: At 12 months, the mean CBL in the PS group was 0.32 ± 0.15 mm, significantly lower than the PM group (0.81 ± 0.22 mm, P < 0.001). PD and BOP were also slightly lower in the PS group (PD: 2.5 ± 0.6 mm vs. 2.9 ± 0.7 mm; BOP: 10% vs. 17%), though these differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion: PS significantly reduces peri-implant CBL over 12 months, supporting its use as a biomechanical strategy for implant longevity. Further long-term studies are warranted to confirm its clinical relevance.