Meta-analysis on the survival of short implants

Abstract

To evaluate the success and failure rates of short implants (10 mm or less) for oral rehabilitations in cases of limited bone height. Review of the articles published on the topic between the years 2000 and 2010, and development of a descriptive meta-analysis of the results. The majority of the studies obtain a cumulative success rate (CSR) similar to that of longer implants (92.5%-98.42% for machined and rough-surface implants, respectively). The studies that record lower cumulative success rates (CSR) are later studies that analyze implants with a machined surface. Almost none of the studies compared the success/failure rates with the bone quality or location of the implant (maxilla or mandible). Thus, the results obtained are from a mixture of these parameters. In view of the results analyzed, rehabilitations with short implants are a reliable treatment; however, the lack of consistency in the study designs as well as the presence of bias in all of the studies reviewed make it difficult to analyze the data.