Maintaining interimplant crestal bone height via a combined platform-switched, laser-lok implant/abutment system: A proof-of-principle canine study

Interimplant papillae are critical for achieving esthetic implant-supported restorations in the maxillary esthetic zone. Stable papillary anatomy, however, depends upon a stable volume of underlying crestal bone for support. Multiple studies have documented a critical interimplant distance of 3 mm under which crestal bone resorption occurs. This preclinical proofof- principle canine study examines a novel implant-abutment system design, combining platform switching with precisely configured laserablated abutment and implant microgrooves to maintain interimplant crestal bone at interimplant distances of 2 and 4 mm. Results of this initial preclinical study suggest that it is possible through precise implant/ abutment design modifications to place adjacent implants at distances of 2 to 4 mm without inducing subpapillary crestal bone loss.