title: Hard and soft tissue responses to the platform-switching technique.
abstract: Platform switching is a concept recently introduced in implant dentistry. It is intended to reduce the crestal bone loss that is commonly found around implants exposed to the oral environment. The aim of this study was to examine biopsy specimens to help explain the biologic processes occurring around a platform-switched implant. A mandibular implant was removed 2 months after placement because of prosthetic rehabilitation difficulties. The implant was then sectioned and subjected to histologic and histomorphometric analysis. An inflammatory connective tissue infiltrate was localized over the entire surface of the implant platform and approximately 0.35 mm coronal to the implant-abutment junction, along the healing abutment. A possible reason for bone preservation around a platform-switched implant may lie in the inward shift of the inflammatory connective tissue zone at the implant-abutment junction, which reduces its injurious effect on the alveolar bone.
authors.affiliation: Dental School, University G d'Annunzio, Chieti-Pescara, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Luongo
authors.forename: Tonino
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Traini
authors.forename: Placido Carlo
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Guidone
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bianco
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cocchetto
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Celletti
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000473:pathology*; D001557:Benzenesulfonates; D001706:Biopsy; D003094:Collagen; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D000044:Dental Abutments; D015921:Dental Implants; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D008334:Mandible / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008859:Microscopy, Polarization; D016348:Osseointegration / Q000502:physiology; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000473:pathology; D010011:Osteocytes / Q000473:pathology; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000473:pathology; D013499:Surface Properties; D014048:Tolonium Chloride
chemical_list: D001557:Benzenesulfonates; D004396:Coloring Agents; D015921:Dental Implants; D014048:Tolonium Chloride; C086337:acid fuchsin; D003094:Collagen