title: Histological and Histomorphometrical Analysis on a Loaded Implant With Platform-Switching and Conical Connection: A Case Report.
abstract: The association of Morse taper implant-abutment design with the use of a smaller abutment diameter (platform switching) may improve dental implant success rate and prevent peri-implant bone loss. The aim of the present study was to histologically and histomorphometrically evaluate the behavior of peri-implant tissues around an implant with a conical connection associated with platform switching. A platform-switched Morse-cone connection implant was inserted in the left posterior mandible of a 61-year-old patient. The implant was inserted at the level of the alveolar crest. After 11 months from placement and 6 months of loading, the implant was retrieved for psychological reasons and processed for histological evaluation. The retrieved implant was wholly surrounded by bone tissue, except for a small area in the apical portion. At higher magnification, in the coronal portion of the implant, it was possible to observe bone directly at the implant platform level. No resorption of the coronal bone was present, except for 0.2 mm on the vestibular aspect. Crestally, bone remodeling with areas of newly formed bone was detected; the bone-implant contact was 73.9%. Apposition of bone was detected even upon the platform. Peri-implant crestal bone preservation can be achieved with the combination of Morse taper conical internal implant-abutment connection with the use of a smaller abutment diameter (platform-switching).
authors.affiliation: 1   Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Iezzi
authors.affiliation: 1   Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Flavia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Iaculli
authors.affiliation: 2   Department of Social Dentistry, National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Calcaterra
authors.affiliation: 1   Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Adriano
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piattelli
authors.affiliation: 3   School of Dentistry, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Girolamo
authors.affiliation: 2   Department of Social Dentistry, National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty, Rome, Italy.|3   School of Dentistry, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Baggi
mesh_terms: D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D059605:Dental Implant-Abutment Design; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000379:methods; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D016348:Osseointegration
keywords: Morse taper connection; implant success; marginal bone loss; platform-switching