Impact of platform switching on inter‐proximal bone levels around 8.5 mm implants in the posterior region; 5‐year results from a randomized clinical trial

Aim To assess the medium‐term results of 8.5 mm implants supplied with a conventional platform‐matched implant‐abutment connection or a platform‐switched design. Materials and Methods Eighty patients with one or more missing teeth in the maxillary or mandibular posterior zone were randomly assigned for treatment with implants with a conventional (control group) or platform‐switched (test group) implant‐abutment connection. Follow‐up visits were conducted 1 month, 1 year and 5 years after functional loading. Inter‐proximal bone loss, assessed with standardized peri‐apical radiographs, clinical parameters, survival of implants and satisfaction of patients were the outcome parameters studied. Results After 5 years of loading, five of the 80 patients were lost to follow‐up. The inter‐proximal bone loss in the test group (0.38 ± 0.61 mm) was comparable to the bone loss in the control group (0.41 ± 0.47 mm; p = 0.201). Remarkably, bone loss has not progressed compared to the 1‐year results. Implant survival, clinical parameters and satisfaction of the patients were favourable and comparable for the test and control group. Conclusion The 5‐years results showed that inter‐proximal bone resorption was minor and comparable around platform‐matched and platform‐switched implants, and implant survival, peri‐implant health and patients’ satisfaction were favourable.