Influence of implant neck design on facial bone crest dimensions in the esthetic zone analyzed by cone beam CT: a comparative study with a 5-to-9-year follow-up

Aim To examine the influence of two different neck designs on facial bone crest dimensions in esthetic single implant sites after a 5‐to‐9‐year follow‐up analyzed by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and methods Sixty‐one patients with an implant‐borne single crown following early implant placement in the esthetic zone were enrolled. The test group consisted of a bone level (BL) neck design exhibiting a hydrophilic micro‐rough surface combined with a platform‐switching interface (PS) (n = 20). The control group comprised a soft tissue level (STL) neck design exhibiting a hydrophobic machined surface with a matching butt‐joint interface (n = 41). Standardized clinical, radiologic, and esthetic parameters were applied. The facial bone crest dimensions were assessed by CBCT. Results Soft tissue parameters and pink esthetic scores yielded no significant differences between the two designs. Major differences were only observed at the implant shoulder level. The height of the facial bone crest for the BL design was located 0.2 mm above the implant shoulder level, whereas for the STL design, its location was 1.6 mm below. The width of the peri‐implant saucer‐like bone defect was reduced by 40% for the BL implant design. No differences were observed 2 mm below the shoulder level. Conclusions The results of this comparative study suggest better crestal bone stability on the facial aspect of single implant sites in the esthetic zone for a BL design with a platform‐switching concept when compared with STL implants with a butt‐joint interface.