To verify the influence of platform-switching (PS) on soft tissue behavior by comparing the soft tissue stability around implants with and without PS, during three years of follow-up. The study included patients treated with fixed dentures supported by implants with an internal connection. The radiographic distance between the first bone-to-implant contact (FBIC) and the implant shoulder was assessed. Additionally, the presence of keratinized facial mucosa and the prosthetic crown height (TH) were monitored for three years from the delivery of the definitive crown. These parameters were measured for two different groups: platform-switched implants in the PS group and non-platform-switched (NPS) implants in the NPS group. Seventy-seven implants were considered in the statistical analysis. After three years, the overall FBIC mean value was 0.31 ± 1.00 mm. However, the mean FBIC was 0.66 ± 0.97 mm for the NPS group and -0.05 ± 0.91 mm for the PS group. Moreover, a mean recession of 0.54 ± 1.39 mm was measured for the NPS group, whereas a mean coronal migration of 0.17 ± 0.95 mm was measured for the PS group. A significant correlation was also found between the presence of PS and ΔTH (p ≤ 0.01) over the three years of follow-up. The absence or presence of platform-switching would appear to affect the tendency of the gingival buccal margin towards recession or creeping. Additionally, implant-abutment platform-switching seems to help prevent peri-implant soft tissue recession over time when compared to implants without PS.
Keywords: dental implants; implant connection; platform-switching; soft tissue maturation; tissue engineering.