Researchers have assessed factors that could impact bone levels surrounding dental implants.
Implant prognosis often depends on the integrity of surrounding tissue. Aspects influencing occlusal stress—such as the relative abutment and implant collar diameters—determine how pressure is distributed to these tissues. Because osseointegrated dental implants lack periodontal ligaments, the occlusal stress is transferred into the alveolar bone, increasing the risk of implant failure. While previous studies have examined how occlusal stress impacts periodontal tissue surrounding dental implants, these analyses have been challenging and the results inconclusive.
In an in-vitro study, researchers used three-dimensional finite element analysis to examine how occlusal stress may affect the bone surrounding natural mandibular first molars (Model 1) as well as 5-mm x 10-mm dental implants with either platform-matched (Model 2; implant abutment connection diameter = 5 mm) or platform-switched abutments (Model 3; implant abutment connection diameter = 4 mm). They applied 100 N of perpendicular concentrated load to each of the models to assess the subsequent occlusal stress.
Although the occlusal stress was higher on the implants compared with the natural teeth, the researchers found that the peri-implant bone surrounding the platform-switched implants endured less occlusal stress compared with the bone surrounding platform-matched implants.
The findings indicated that platform switching could minimize occlusal pressure, extend the survival of osseointegrated implants, and maintain the health of surrounding bone—particularly in patients at high risk of peri-implant bone loss, implant failure, or cosmetic issues. The researchers hope the results of their study can lead to improvements in the design of future implants and abutments to enhance dental implant survival.
Source: Scientific Reports
