Short implants with a nanometer-sized CaP surface provided with either a platform-switched or platform-matched abutment connection in the posterior region: a randomized clinical trial

ObjectiveTo assess the performance of short nanorough implants (8.5mm in length) provided with either a platform-matched or a platform-switched implant-abutment connection, placed in the resorbed posterior region of partially dentate patients.

Materials and MethodsA total of 149 implants with a dual-acid surface and a discrete crystalline deposition of nanometer-sized CaP particles, with either a platform-matched (control) or a platform-switched implant-abutment connection (test) were placed (randomly assigned) in 92 patients. Follow-up visits were conducted 1month and 1year after placing the implant crown. Outcome measures were implant survival, radiographic peri-implant bone loss, clinical parameters, and patient's satisfaction.

ResultsOne year after loading, 6 of 76 implants in the control group (survival 92.1%) and 3 of 73 implants in the test group (survival 95.9%) were lost (P=0.33). Radiographic bone loss around test implants (0.500.53mm) was significantly less than around control implants (0.74 +/- 0.61mm; P

ConclusionsFor teeth replacements in the resorbed posterior region of partially dentate patients, short implants with a platform-switched implant-abutment connection showed significantly less peri-implant bone loss after 1year in function, while implant survival, clinical parameters, and patient's satisfaction were independent of the implant-abutment connection design.