IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS) e-ISSN: 2279-0853, p-ISSN: 2279-0861.Volume 14, Issue 5 Ver. I (May. 2015), PP 15-18 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/0853-14511518 www.iosrjournals.org 15 | Page Effect of Platform switching on peri-implant tissues: A review Dr.Nazish Baig 1 , Dr.Pranit Kadam 2 , Dr.Babita Yeshwante 3 , Dr.Maya Mhaske 4 Dr.Vivek Jadhav 5 1,2,3,5. (Department of Prosthodontics, CSMSS Dental college,Maharashtra University of Health sciences,India) 4 (Department of Periodontics, CSMSS Dental college,Maharashtra University of Health sciences,India) Abstract:The platform switching concept involves the reduction of the restoration abutment diameter with respect to the diameter of the dental implant.Crestal bone loss has been documented as one of the important factors that affect the long term prognosis of a dental implant. Platform switching for maintaining peri-implant bone levels has gained popularity among implant manufacturers over the last few years. However, the assumption that the inward shifting of the implant- abutment junction may preserve crestal bone was primarily based on serendipitous finding rather than scientific evidence. The platform switching configuration led notonly to a relative decrease in stress levels compared to narrow and wide standard configurations, but also to a notable stress field shift from bone towards the implant system, potentially resulting in lower crestal bone overloading.This article shows that platform switching helps to prevent crestal bone loss after implant placement and helps obtain satisfactory aesthetic results. The purpose of this article is to review the biomechanical behavior of platform switching and its influence on bone crestel levels and on peri implant soft tissues I. Introduction Platform switching concept Platform switching refers to the use of an abutment of smaller diameter connected to a implant neck of larger diameter; this connection shifts the perimeter of the implant-abutment junction inwardstowards the central axis (the middle of the implant) improving the distribution of forces It was developed to control bone loss after implant placement 1 Platform switching involves reducing the restoration abutment diameter in comparison with the diameter of the dental implant. 2 ,3 The platform switching effect was accidentally established in the 1980s and early 1990s when different commercial dental implant manufacturers introduced implants of larger diameter before producing the corre- sponding abutments of the same measures. 14 years later, evaluation of those treatments in which abutments of lesser diameter were used revealed better preservation of the hard and soft tissues than the treatment that used abutments with diameters which matched to the implant 2,4,5 Correct location of the soft tissues in dental implant restorations depends on the preservation of bone crestal height. Consequently, hard tissues are the principal determinant of aesthetic outcome 6 In platform switching it is possible to use abutments with a diameter smaller than the implant neck or body width, or alternatively an implant design can be used in which the neck diameter is increased with respect to the implant body width 7 considering the foregoing biological and biomechanical analysis, the concept of platform switching appears to limit crestalresorption and seems to preserve peri-implant bone levels. A certain amount of bone remodeling one year after final reconstruction occurs, but significant differences concerning the peri-implant bone height when compared with the non-platform-switched abutments, are still evident one year after final restoration 8 The purpose of this article is to review the biomechanical behavior of platform switching and its influence on bone crestel levels and on peri implant soft tissues. II. Discussion 2.1Biomechanical behavior: The close relationship between the bone and the implant is the essence of osseointegration. The bone changes occurring at the margins adjacent to the dental implants have been the subject of many clinical and experimental studies 9 Characteristics such as implant design, crestal bone geometry and the location within the oral cavity must be taken into consideration for the optimum support and distribution of occlusal loading forces to the bone components. 10 The stress level in the cervical bone area at the implant was greatly reduced when the narrow diameter abutment was connected compared with the regular-sized one. It was suggested that the platform switching configuration has the biomechanical advantage of shifting the stress concentration area away