Evaluation of platform switching and its clinical application

Yang,  Byoung-Eun; Song,  Sang-Hun; Kim,  Seong-Gon

J Korean Dent Assoc > Volume 45(9); 2007 > Article

The Journal of The Korean Dental Association 2007;45(9):562-570.
Published online September 30, 2007.

Platform switching(또는 Platform shifting) 개념 및 임상적용에 관한 고찰

양병은¹, 송상훈², 김성곤³

^¹한림대학교 임상치의학대학원 구강악안면임프란트학과
^²한림대학교 성심병원 구강악안면외과
^³한림대학교 임상치의학연구소

Evaluation of platform switching and its clinical application

Byoung-Eun Yang¹, Sang-Hun Song², Seong-Gon Kim³

¹Dept. fo Oral and Maxillofacial Implantology, Graduate School of Clinical Dentistry. Hallym University
²Dept. of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital
³Clinical Dentistry Research Institute, Hallym University

Abstract

Many dentists and patients expect that implant function and esthetics will not change over time. However, even the most successful implant restorations with ideal position, vertical height, and occlusion can be aesthetically pleasing, but may hide a common problem. Many dentists noticed that there can be some circumferential bone loss around the neck of the implants. To circumvent this bone loss, a "platform switching" concept was introduced recently. The basic concept of platform switching is by moving the fixture-abutment interface further away from the crestal bone to minimize crestal bone loss. Since crestal bone loss is a multifactor problem, it is important to consider microgap formation and micromotion between the implant and abutment because platform switching does not solve the problem on its own. In this article, we reviewed studies concerning platform switching and discussed the clinical application and the problems that may occur with its use.

Key Words: platform switching;microgap;micromotion;