Effect of Rough Surface Platforms on the Mucosal Attachment and the Marginal Bone Loss of Implants: A Dog Study

The preservation of peri-implant tissues is an important factor for implant success. This study aimed to assess the influence of the surface features of a butt-joint platform on soft-tissue attachment and bone resorption after immediate or delayed implant placement. All premolars and first molars of eight Beagle dogs were extracted on one mandible side. Twelve-weeks later, the same surgery was developed on the other side. Five implants with different platform surface configurations were randomly inserted into the post-extracted-sockets. On the healed side, the same five different implants were randomly placed. Implants were inserted 1 mm subcrestal to the buccal bony plate and were connected to abutments. The primary outcome variables were the supracrestal soft tissue (SST) adaptation and the bone resorption related to the implant shoulder. The SST height was significantly larger in immediate implants (IC95% 3.9–4.9 mm) compared to delayed implants (IC95% 3.1–3.5 mm). Marginal bone loss tended to be higher in immediate implants (IC95% 0.4–0.9 mm) than in delayed implants (IC95% 0.3–0.8 mm). Linear-regression analysis suggested that the SST height was significantly affected by the configuration of the platform (0.3–1.9 mm). Roughened surface platforms resulted in higher SST height when compared to machined surface platforms. Marginal bone loss was less pronounced in roughened designs.