Arrangement of Peri-implant Connective Tissue Fibers Around Platform-Switching Implants with Conical Abutments and Its Relationship to the Underlying Bone: A Human Histologic Study

Abstract

The objective of this study was to clarify and evaluate the orientation of the collagen fibers around platform-switching (PS) implants with conical abutments in humans after 8 weeks of healing, and to determine how this orientation would help stabilize the soft tissue and prevent bone resorption. On PS implants, circular orientation of collagen fiber was observed as the main arrangement in a cross-sectional view. The circular collagen fibers might be the key factor in stabilizing the soft tissues around the rehabilitation, inhibiting apical migration of the soft tissues and, in turn, protecting the underlying bone.