Effect of Slopped Shoulder Implant Neck vs Conventional Implant Neck Design on Crestal Bone Level in the Maxilla

Implant prosthesis allows normal muscle function, and the implant stimulates the bone and maintains its dimensions in a manner similar to healthy natural teeth. Crestal bone loss can result in increased bacterial accumulation resulting in secondary peri-implant inflammation and bone loss which can further result in loss of alveolar support, which in turn can lead to occlusal overload resulting in implant failure. In implant dentistry, platform switching is a method used to preserve alveolar bone levels around dental implants. The concept refers to using an implant with slopped shoulder neck of narrower diameter on implants of wider diameter, rather than placing abutments of similar diameter, referred to as platform matching. The authors developed the concept of slopped shoulder implant which results in an inward bone creeping at the coronal part of the implant to be in continuity with the alveolar bone crest. The rational to use this type of implant allows an increase at residual crestal bone volume around the implant neck and has 3 merits: 1. Reduced mechanical stress at the implant neck area; 2. Repositioning of gingival papillae on the beveled neck implant (that is the physiologic condition); 3. proper vascular supply to the implant investing structure and bone tissue also because of reduced inter-implant space. The aim of the study is to compare the effect of bone-level implants versus the conventional implant on oral soft tissues