Radiological comparison of laser‐microtextured and platform‐switched implants in thin mucosal biotype

Abstract Objective To compare how laser‐microtextured implants and implants with platform switching maintain crestal bone stability in thin peri‐implant tissues. Material and methods Thirty laser‐microtextured implants of 4.6 mm diameter ( T apered I nternal L aser‐ L ok, B io H orizons, B irmingham, AL , USA ; G roup 1) and 30 implants with platform switching of 5/4 mm diameter ( C ertain P revail; B iomet/3i, P alm B each G ardens, FL , USA ; G roup 2) were placed in 30 patients (12 males and 18 females, mean age 42.3 ± 2.4) with thin mucosal tissues (≤2 mm). Implants were placed in posterior mandible in one‐stage approach and after integration were restored with screw‐retained metal‐ceramic restorations. Radiographic examination was performed after implant placement, 2 months after healing, at prosthetic restoration delivery and after 1‐year follow‐up. Mean crestal bone loss was calculated, M ann– W hitney U ‐test was applied, and significance was set to 0.05. Results After 2 months of healing, the crestal bone loss was 0.71 ± 0.25 mm SD (range, 0.25–1.6 mm) and 1.02 ± 0.25 mm SD (range, 0.6–1.55 mm) in groups 1 and 2, respectively ( P = 0.001). At restorations' delivery, the crestal bone loss was 1.10 ± 0.30 mm SD (range, 0.65–1.85 mm) and 1.37 ± 0.27 mm SD (range, 0.90–1.80 mm) in groups 1 and 2, respectively ( P = 0.001). After 1‐year follow‐up, the crestal bone loss was 1.41 ± 0.42 mm SD (range, +0.1–2.30 mm) and 1.43 ± 0.23 mm SD (range, 1–1.80 mm) in groups 1 and 2, respectively ( P = 0.976). Conclusions Laser‐microtexturing of implant collar or platform‐switched implant/abutment connection did not eliminate crestal bone loss, if at the time of implant placement vertical soft tissue thickness was ≤2 mm. However, laser‐microtextured implants may present less proximal bone loss than platform‐switching implants in the period before implant loading.