title: Narrow-diameter implants with conical connection for restoring the posterior edentulous region.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective of this retrospective study was to show results from platform-switched narrow-diameter implants in the posterior edentulous region, which we followed up for more than 1 year after functional loading.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-eight narrow implants were inserted into 66 patients. After healing, fixed implant-supported prostheses were delivered to the patients, and Periotest and radiographic examinations were performed. After the first year of loading, the implant outcome was again evaluated clinically and radiographically using the Periotest analysis. Crestal bone loss and Periotest values (PTVs) were used to evaluate the effect of surgery, prosthesis, implant, and a host-related factor. A general linear model was used to statistically detect variables statistically associated with crestal bone loss and Periotest value.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We followed up on the implants over 1 to 4 years after loading; their survival rate was 100 %, and pronounced differences from PTVs were noted among jaw location, bone quality, and loading period. No difference was detected in bone loss among the variables studied. Bone loss after functional loading was 0.14 ± 0.39 mm. The stability value from the Periotest was -3.29 ± 0.50.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Within the limitations of this study, judicious use of platform-switched narrow implants with a conical connection must be considered an alternative for wide-diameter implants to restore a posterior edentulous region.
authors.affiliation: Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea ; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Implantology, Graduate School of Clinical Dentistry, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: In-Hee
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Woo
authors.affiliation: Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea ; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Implantology, Graduate School of Clinical Dentistry, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ju-Won
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Statistical Analysis Department, Korea Health and Welfare Information Service, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: So-Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Young-Hee
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea ; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Implantology, Graduate School of Clinical Dentistry, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Byoung-Eun
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Yang
keywords: Conical dental implant-abutment connection; Dental implant platform switching; Narrow-diameter implants; Posterior edentulous