Immediate loading short implants inserted on low bone quantity for the rehabilitation of the edentulous maxilla using...

More studies evaluating the outcome of short-length dental implants in immediate loading are needed. To evaluate the use of short-length tapered implants in immediate loading for complete edentulous maxillae rehabilitations using an All-on-4 design. This retrospective clinical study included a cohort of 43 patients with 172 implants (74 short-length implants) inserted in low bone quantity. The patients were followed between 4 months and 6 years (average = 3 years). Outcome measures were implant survival, marginal bone remodelling, biological and mechanical complications. Two patients with four short-length implants were lost to follow-up during the first year. Three short and three long implants failed in four patients, rendering an overall cumulative survival rate implant and patient level, respectively, of 95.7% and 95.1% for short implants, 100% for regular implants and 96.6% and 95.2% for long implants. The average marginal bone remodelling at 1 and 3 years was 0.97 and 1.25 mm for the short implants, 0.82 and 0.87 mm for regular implants and 0.87 and 0.98 mm for long implants. Three patients presented 4 short-length implants with peri-implant pockets (3 implants in 2 patients were pseudo-pockets). Mechanical complications were registered in 13 patients (7 provisional prostheses fractures and 6 abutment screw loosening). All complications were treated successfully. Within the limitations of this clinical study, the short-term outcome of fixed prosthetic complete edentulous maxillae rehabilitations supported by short-length implants inserted in low bone quantity areas is viable. Long-term clinical studies are necessary for evaluating the outcome of these implants.