Methods:

A meta-analysis on prospective clinical trials yielded thirteen studies with 1,955 dental implants, of which 914 were short implants < 10 mm in length.

Results:

Short implants had an estimated survival rate of 88.1% at 168 months, compared to a similar survival rate of 86.7% for standard implants (P=0.254).  The peak failure rate for short dental implants occurred between 4 and 6 years of function.  The peak failure rate for standard implants occurred between 6 and 8 years of function.

Conclusions:

Similar long term survival rates for implants < 10 mm in length compared to longer implants.  When implant failure did occur, it was at an earlier stage for the shorter implants.

Dr. Gebrael’s Comments:

Bone augmentation procedures have limitations and may not be acceptable to many patients due to increases in cost, treatment duration, and site morbidity.  Short implants can be used with a good long term survival rate. This meta-analysis however was not able to determine the influence of bone density or type of prosthetic reconstruction on implant survival.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE REFER TO:

Are Short Dental Implants (< 10mm) Effective?

A Meta-Analysis on Prospective Clinical Trials

Monje A, Chan HL, Fu JH, Suarez F, Galindo-Moreno P, Wang HM

Journal of Periodontology July 2013, Vol. 84, No. 7, Pages 895- 904