Mind the Gap: The Platform Switching Concept

After exposing a submerged implant to the oral environment, bone loss occurs downwards along the implant body and stops at some predefined position. A current area of hot debate is the significance of the implant abutment interface and its influence on crestal bone level in relation to the first thread. In recent years, the microgap which exists at the connection between the implant body and the restorative abutment has been implicated. Recently, it has been suggested that the presence and position of the microgap may not be the principal cause of bone resorption phenomenon, but instead that it is due to the relative diameters of the abutment and the implant platform. It appears desirable to incorporate features into implant design which reduce microleakage or limit its effects. A tapered implant abutment creates a microseal and the hermetic seal produced eliminates the microgap preventing the passage of bacteria. Hence platform switching may limit or confine the effect.