The effect of a 2‐mm inter‐implant distance on esthetic outcomes in immediately non‐occlusally loaded platform shifted implants in healed ridges: 12‐month results of a randomized clinical trial

Abstract Background Three millimeter is considered as the minimum distance to obtain soft and bone tissue stability in case of adjacent implants. The possibility to preserve peri‐implant bone level using a platform switching connection has questioned this concept. Purpose The study evaluates soft tissue maintenance and marginal bone stability around implants, placed at 2 or 3 mm of distance. Materials and methods Thirty patients received two immediately loaded implants either at 2‐mm (test) or at 3‐mm (control) of distance in the premolar area. Soft tissue esthetics (papilla height and fill, keratinized tissue, recession) and radiographic peri‐implant bone level changes were measured at 3, 6, and 12 months. Results No significant differences between the two groups were detected neither for all soft tissue esthetic outcomes nor for bone level modifications up to 12 months. Conclusion The results suggested that up to 12 months post‐loading, both 2‐ and 3‐mm inter‐distance platform‐switched implants in healed site, supported adequate esthetic outcomes and peri‐implant bone stability.