Long-term retrospective evaluation of short implants in the posterior areas: clinical results after 10-12 years

Aim To evaluate the long-term clinical results of short implants in the posterior areas and analyse the possible influence of different variables on implant success rate and marginal bone loss (MBL). Methods A retrospective study design was used. Patients were included if they had received one or more short implants (<= 8.5mm long) in the posterior jaws at least 10years earlier. All implants were embedded in plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF). The cumulative success rate was the primary outcome. MBL and the influence of different variables as secondary outcomes were assessed. Results A total of 111 short implants (7.0, 7.5 and 8.5mm in length) placed in 75 patients met the inclusion criteria. Of which, 94 were splinted to longer ones. The mean follow-up was 123.3months (SD=10.4months). The mean crown-implant ratio was 1.4 (SD=0.3). The mean MBL was 1.0mm at mesial (SD=0.7) and 0.9mm (SD=0.6) at distal aspect. One short implant failed. Success rate was 98.9% and 98.2% for the implant and patient-based analysis respectively. No relationship was observed between the studied variables and the MBL. Conclusions These clinical results support the use of short implants as an effective and safe long-term treatment option.