Platform switching involves using a smaller diameter abutment on a larger diameter implant. This shifts the implant-abutment junction inward and away from the crestal bone. According to the document, platform switching reduces crestal bone loss in the following ways: 1) It shifts the inflammatory cell infiltrate inward, decreasing its effect on the crestal bone. 2) It maintains the biological width between the implant and bone. 3) It decreases stress levels in the peri-implant bone by shifting the stress concentration area away from the bone-implant interface. The document discusses the concept, history, advantages, and limitations of platform switching.