Long-term effectiveness of UV functionalised short (≤ 6mm) dental implants placed in the posterior segments of the atrophied maxilla: controlled case series.

Abstract

This study evaluated long-term effectiveness UV functionalised short implants (≤ 6mm) placed in the posterior segments of the atrophied maxilla. The study included 47 patients from 2018 to 2023 (aged 27 to 56years, 24 women and 23 men) without any systemic diseases, with unilateral/bilateral missing teeth and vertical atrophy of the posterior maxillary area. Total installed were 64 short UV-functionalized implants and 62 standard implants over 10mm in length in segments maxilla with sufficient bone parameters. Clinical, laboratory and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) methods were used to plan implant therapy. The clinical indices included the following parameters: ISQ, MBL, OHIP-G scale. For short implants, the median ISQ at placement was 62.2 for primary stability and the median ISQ at 5months was 69.6 ISQ. For standard implant, the mean ISQ at placement was 64.3 ISQ, and ISQ after 5months was 71.6 ISQ. After 6months mean MBL short implants 0.87mm, after 1year 1.13mm, after 5years was 1.48mm. After 6months mean MBL standard implants 0.84mm, after 1year 1.24mm, after 5years was 1.58mm. Mean OHIP-G scores-patients satisfaction with the implant at 4.8 ± 0.3, satisfaction with the operation 4.6 ± 0.4; satisfaction with prosthetics 4.7 ± 0.5. Cumulative success rate 5years short implants was 96.7%, standard implants was 97.4%, and prosthesis cumulative survival rate was 97.2%. Short ultraviolet functionalized implants used in the posterior resorbed segment of maxilla have been shown to be a reliable alternative to sinus lift, demonstrating fewer complications, reduction in the number of additional surgical interventions and showed satisfactory long-term survival.