Abstract: Platform switching for maintaining peri-implant bone levels has gained popularity among implant manufacturers over the last few years. The platform switching technique refers to the use of a smaller diameter prosthetic abutment, which is placed on a larger diameter implant so that the outer edge of the implant-abutment junction is horizontally repositioned inwardly and away from the outer edge of the implant platform. A large number of literatures support that the platform switching technique is conducive to the stability of hard and soft tissues around implants. In this paper, the influence of platform switching technique on soft and hard tissue and its causes, mechanical complications are reviewed.

Key words: platform switching, marginal bone loss, biological width, implant-abutment junction