Short dental implants in the posterior region. The effect of platform-switching and a nanorough surface on peri-implant bone loss

PhD ceremony: Ms. G. Telleman, 16.15 uur, Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5, Groningen

Dissertation: Short dental implants in the posterior region. The effect of platform-switching and a nanorough surface on peri-implant bone loss

Promotor(s): prof. G.M. Raghoebar, prof. H.J.A. Meijer, prof. A. Vissink

Faculty: Medical Sciences

From the systematic review in this thesis we concluded that short (<10 mm) implants can be placed successfully in the partially edentulous patients. It remains important to select your cases and inform the patient, as the implant survival rate is higher in mandibular than in maxillary areas as well as that the survival rate is higher in non-smokers than in smokers. Furthermore, to obtain less marginal bone resorption and even higher implant survival rates, the search for refining implant design and surface topography continues. This search has included the rather recent introduction of the concept of platform switching (placing a smaller-diameter abutment on a wider-diameter implant) and a changed surface topography and chemistry of the implant (nanometer-sized irregularities and deposits of calcium phosphate on the implant surface). The platform switching concept has some promise in reducing marginal bone loss. Although the beneficial clinical effect is not yet highly relevant at the 1 year post implant placement, further assessment is required to show whether it will hold or even increase in the intermediate and long term. Furthermore, although histologically promising in enhancing peri-implant bone healing, the nanorough surface that we introduced, did not shown a beneficial effect in clinical trials performed thus far. May be the nanorough surface will be promising in compromised cases, e.g., in patients with osteoporosis or a history of radiotherapy, for which further research is required.