Abstract
Background: Recent data have shown that short dental implants can be the preferred treatment in most of cases of posterior atrophic alveolar ridges, offering higher survival and lower complication rates than long implants. The survival rates, stability, and marginal bone level changes were compared between short implants (7 and 8.5 mm) and standard-length implants (≥10 mm). Methods: Prospective observational study in which adult patients requiring ≥1 osseointegrated implants to replace missing teeth were recruited consecutively. A clinical examination was performed on the day the definitive prosthesis was placed and after 6 and 12 months. Implant stability quotient (ISQ), marginal bone level (MBL) changes, and the correlation between these parameters and the characteristics of the implants were evaluated. Results: A total of 99 implants were inserted (47 short, 52 standard) in 74 patients. The 12-month survival rate was 100%. ISQ values showed a similar pattern for both types of implants. No correlation was found between ISQ changes after one year and MBL values, nor between the latter and the characteristics of the implants. Conclusions: With clinical treatment criteria, shorter implants (7 and 8.5 mm in length) can be just as useful as standard-length implants in atrophic alveolar ridges, demonstrating similar rates of survival, stability, and crestal bone loss.
Highlights
Introduction published maps and institutional affilPartial edentulism in the posterior regions of the maxilla and the mandible is a common clinical condition
Long implants are generally thought to be more reliable than short implants as they have more surface area contact with the bone and lower crownto-implant ratios, which is a more favorable feature [3], but recent systematic reviews on the use of short implants in the posterior region have concluded that there are no significant differences with regard to survival rate, crestal bone loss, and prosthesis survival rate compared to standard-length implants [2,4,5]
With regard to implant site, 28 implants were placed in the maxilla and 19 were placed in the mandible in the group with short implants; 44 (93.61%) of these were in the molar and premolar regions
Summary
Partial edentulism in the posterior regions of the maxilla and the mandible is a common clinical condition. The ideal solution is to use implants that support a fixed prosthesis, with a length greater than 10 mm to ensure a good long-term prognosis [2]. Long implants are generally thought to be more reliable than short implants as they have more surface area contact with the bone and lower crownto-implant ratios, which is a more favorable feature [3], but recent systematic reviews on the use of short implants in the posterior region have concluded that there are no significant differences with regard to survival rate, crestal bone loss, and prosthesis survival rate compared to standard-length implants [2,4,5].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
