title: Influence of platform switching on periimplant bone loss: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This meta-analysis aims to systematically review and draw a comparison between conventional implant designs and "platform-switched" implants in terms of crestal bone loss.
  
  
  METHODS
  Electronic (PubMed) and hand searches were conducted. Literature, clinical studies, and case reports pertaining to reduction of crestal bone loss and obtaining better esthetic outcome by platform switching were reviewed till October 2011. Controlled trials comparing marginal bone-level changes around platform-switched and platform-matched implants were selected. For the assessment of accuracy, meta-analysis was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The marginal bone loss around platform-switched implants was significantly lesser than platform-matched implants (mean difference [MD]: -0.34; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.37 to -0.30; P < 0.00001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to this review and meta-analysis, platform switching seems to preserve periimplant bone and soft tissue levels. However, long-term clinical studies on the proper diameter of abutment without deformation and the effective degree of platform switching in terms of the bone resorption are still awaited.
authors.affiliation: *Professor and Head of the Department, Department of Prosthodontics, Maratha Mandals NGH Institute of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Belgaum, India. †Postgraduate Student, Department of Prosthodontics, Maratha Mandals NGH Institute of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Belgaum, India. ‡Ex Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, Goa Dental College and Hospital, Panaji, India; and Private Practice, Prosthodontics, Implantology, Goa, India. §Principal, Professor, and Head of Department, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Tatyasaheb Kore Dental College and Research Centre, Warnanagar, India.
authors.forename: Manisha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Herekar
authors.forename: Megha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sethi
authors.forename: Shahnawaz
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mulani
authors.forename: Aquaviva
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: Harish
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kulkarni
mesh_terms: D015921:Dental Implants; D006801:Humans; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants