Short implants in the posterior maxilla to avoid sinus augmentation procedure: 5-year results from a retrospective cohort study

Robert A Sader,Jonas Lorenz,Maximilian Blume,Shahram Ghanaati,Tadas Korzinskas

doi:10.1186/s40729-018-0155-1

Robert A Sader, Jonas Lorenz + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40729-018-0155-1

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Abstract

BackgroundShort implants present a promising approach for patients with advanced atrophy to avoid augmentative procedures. However, concerns about increased biological and technical complications due to an unfavorable implant-crown ratio are still present.PurposeThe aim of the present retrospective study was to evaluate whether a reduced implant length has any impact on implant success and peri-implant hard and soft tissue health in implants placed in the posterior maxilla to avoid sinus augmentation procedures.Materials and methodsFourteen patients received a total of 30 implants of 7-mm length in the posterior maxilla. Implants with a mean loading period of 5 years (range 2–7 years) were followed up clinically and radiologically, with a focus on the peri-implant soft tissue parameters probing pocket depth (PPD), bleeding on probing (BoP), and the stability of the marginal peri-implant bone level.ResultsNone of the implants were lost, and no technical failures occurred. A mean PPD of 2.5 mm, a mean BoP of 13.3%, and a mean marginal bone loss (MBL) of 0.5 mm indicate healthy peri-implant hard and soft tissue conditions without signs of peri-implantitis.DiscussionThe present results indicate the suitability of implants of 7-mm length to replace missing teeth in the posterior maxilla. An unfavorable implant-crown ratio or reduced bone-implant contact length seems to have no negative influence on midterm implant success or on peri-implant hard and soft tissue health.

Highlights

In the past few decades, technical developments of dental implants in combination with continuous development of surgical techniques and biomaterials have led to an expansion of the indications for implant-retained prosthetics
The present results indicate the suitability of implants of 7-mm length to replace missing teeth in the posterior maxilla
The aim of this study was to analyze whether a reduced implant length has any impact on implant success and peri-implant hard and soft tissue health

Summary

Introduction

In the past few decades, technical developments of dental implants in combination with continuous development of surgical techniques and biomaterials have led to an expansion of the indications for implant-retained prosthetics. Due to compromised general health, anamnestic data, or individual demands of the patient, minimally invasive methods to restore oral function should be considered. In this context, the development and scientific investigation of so-called short implants, which are implants with reduced length, play an important role, as they seem to allow placement of dental implants in the molar region of the atrophic maxilla and, at the same time, avoid the need for sinus augmentation procedures. While in the present study short implants with a length of 7 mm are investigated, Mangano et al considered short implants to have a length of 8 mm [5] This guiding value has been reported as 8.5 mm, and even 10 mm, which indicates scientific disagreement on this topic [6, 7]. Purpose: The aim of the present retrospective study was to evaluate whether a reduced implant length has any impact on implant success and peri-implant hard and soft tissue health in implants placed in the posterior maxilla to avoid sinus augmentation procedures

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