Any Association Between Platform-Switching and Bone Loss/Implant Survival?

Objectives: To retrospectively evaluate the association between platform-switched healing abutments and post-operative bone loss and implant survival.
Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on 461 isolated patient charts, from patients at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (TUSDM) who received single dental implants in the maxillary anterior (#7-10) region, from 2014-2018. Patient demographic characteristics, and corresponding bone loss and implant survival data were extracted from the electronic health record system Axium, the records system used for the documentation of implant procedures conducted at TUSDM (Table 1.). Radiographic bone level was measured on periapical radiographs, baseline being at time of placement, and at a follow-up appointment 12 (+/- 6) months thereafter. Mesial and distal bone levels, as well as implant length were measured using the ruler tool in Axium. These measurements were then applied to a formula (Figure 1), resulting in a real bone level calculation that accounted for radiographic distortion in the periapical images. Multivariable linear regression and logistic regression models, adjusting for covariates, was then used to compare bone levels and evaluate bone loss and implant survival between groups.
Results: No significant differences in bone loss or implant survival were observed between platform-switch and platform-match groups (Table 1.) Straumann and other implant systems had more bone loss than Nobel implant system. Bone loss and implant survival increased with the increase of implant length (Table.2)
Conclusions: There were no associations between platform-switched healing abutments, and decreased bone loss or increased implant survival that can be drawn from this study. Implant system and implant length were significantly associated with bone loss and implant survival.