Shoulder Design

4. Conclusion

Based on the current body of trial data, the question of whether machined or microstructured implant shoulders are preferable for implant dentistry cannot be answered adequately. Microstructured implant shoulders appear to have an advantage in terms of the marginal bone resorption because the rough surface that encourages the formation of bone continues to the implant shoulder.

Machined implant shoulders have lower plaque accumulation and are thus associated with a lower risk of infection if the healing proceeds with complications, including exposure of the implant.

The choice between implants with machined or microstructured implant shoulder should therefore be made based on the experience of the dentist and also depends on the patient’s wishes and compliance as well as the oral hygiene status of the patient.