Clin Oral Implants Res. 2017 Nov;28(11):1342-1347. doi: 10.1111/clr.12990. Epub 2016 Oct 14.

Soft tissue changes and crestal bone loss around platform-switched implants placed at crestal and subcrestal levels: 36-month results from a prospective split-mouth clinical trial.

Al Amri MD¹, Al-Johany SS¹, Al Baker AM¹, Al Rifaiy MQ¹, Abduljabbar TS¹, Al-Kheraif AA².

Author information

1: Department of Prosthetic Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
2: Dental Health Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of the present 36-month prospective split-mouth clinical trial was to investigate the peri-implant soft tissue changes and crestal bone loss (CBL) around delayed loaded platform-switched implants placed at crestal and subcrestal levels.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

Twenty-three individuals with bilaterally missing either mandibular first or second molars were included. The test and control sites were defined as follows: (i) test sites: implants placed 2 mm below the alveolar crest (subcrestal); (ii) control sites: implants placed at bone level (crestal). Forty-six implants (23 implants in test sites and 23 in control sites) were placed in the center of the healed alveolar ridge in the posterior mandible. Peri-implant bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD ≥ 4 mm), and CBL was compared at 6, 18, and 36 months of follow-up. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS:

Sixteen males and seven females with a mean age of 43.5 years (29-50) were included. In the control group (n = 23), the highest mean percentage of sites that showed BOP and PD ≥ 4 mm were at 6 months (7.4% and 1.4%, respectively). In the test group (n = 23), the highest mean percentage of sites that showed BOP and PD ≥ 4 mm were at 6 months (2.4% and 1.2%, respectively). The total amount of CBL around crestal and subcrestal implants after 36 months of loading was 0.45 ± 0.2 and 0.3 ± 0.2 mm, respectively. At all follow-up intervals, all intragroup and intergroup comparisons showed no significant differences in BOP, PD ≥ 4 mm, and CBL around implants placed at crestal and subcrestal levels.

CONCLUSION:

Up to 36 months of follow-up, soft tissue parameters and crestal bone levels can remain equally stable around dental implants placed at crestal and subcrestal levels. The need for long-term follow-up clinical trials is also emphasized.