title: Platform switching: a narrative review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bone loss around the implant is 1 of the important factors affecting its success. Fitting an abutment of smaller circumference in comparison with the implant is known as platform switching. The concept gained importance as investigations found reduced crestal bone loss around such implants. Several studies have been conducted to understand its efficacy, mechanism of action, and the extent of switching that would provide best results.
  
  
  METHODS
  Public databases were researched to assess if the concept of platform switching was helpful in reducing bone loss around dental implants using relevant keywords.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most of the studies supported the use of switched platforms with only 1 reporting no effect of switching. No study reported any harmful effect of switched platform either on bone quality or on success of implants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Platform switching seems to be successful in reducing bone loss around dental implants. Further research regarding its exact mechanism of action would help explain and improve the success rate of implants.
authors.affiliation: *Scientist, Division of Endocrinology, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. †Assistant Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, Dental Faculty, KG Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. ‡MDS student, Department of Prosthodontics, Dental Faculty, KG Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Rajender
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Saumyendra V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Varuni
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Arora
mesh_terms: D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000517:prevention & control; D059605:Dental Implant-Abutment Design / Q000379:methods; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D006801:Humans