Short Implants in Atrophic Posterior Maxilla

Short Implant Placement for Single-Tooth Rehabilitation in the Atrophic Posterior Maxilla

This study aims to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of short implants in the rehabilitation of single-tooth edentulism in the posterior maxilla. By assessing these outcomes, the research seeks to determine the effectiveness and long-term viability of short implants as a minimally invasive solution, particularly in cases where bone height is limited.

The present municentric retrospective study was conducted following the STROBE statement recommendations for observational studies and in compliance to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki on clinical research involving human subjects.The study aims to evaluate short implants placed over the past 15 years by three experienced clinicians, assessing their survival and clinical success. Specifically, the study collects clinical data such as probing depth, the presence or absence of peri-implantitis, and radiological findings.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Good health status according to the classification system of the American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA), and patients were required to be 18 years of age or older.
• No general medical condition that would contraindicate implant therapy.
• No active periodontal disease, defined as a periodontal probing depth of less than 4 mm, or previously treated periodontitis.
• Good oral hygiene, with a full-mouth plaque index of less than 25%.
• Adequate control of inflammation, with a full-mouth bleeding on probing (BOP) of less than 25%.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Smoking more than 15 cigarettes per day
• Presence of untreated periodontal disease
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding at the time of enrollment
• Active infections
• Less than 2 mm of keratinized mucosal tissue.