Short Implants: A Descriptive Study of 273 Implants

PURPOSE: The study aims to assess the performance of short implants in a series of patients with severe alveolar resorption. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A review is made of 273 implants measuring 10 mm or less, placed by conventional surgery or using osteotomes, and with a postloading follow-up of between 18 months and 12 years (mean 81 months). RESULTS: A total of 20 failures were recorded (7.33%), with a global implant survival of 92.67%. The survival rate for 10 mm implants was 92.82%, versus 92.5% in the case of those measuring less than 10 mm. Overall, the failure rate was lowest for the treated surface implants (2.56% vs 4.76%). On considering the implants measuring under 10 mm, the failure rates were similar in both groups (3.77%). CONCLUSIONS: Short implants are a good treatment alternative for patients with severe alveolar resorption of both jaws.