Full-Arch Treatment of Atrophic Edentulous Mandible Using Short Implants With Immediate Loading: Case Report

Full-arch implant rehabilitation in extremely atrophic edentulous mandibles is still challenging due to the high risk of fracture and the limited bone availability. The approach proposes using short implants with immediate loading for final prostheses as a treatment option, which offers shorter treatment times and fewer invasive procedures. A 66-year-old female patient with an edentulous mandible and severe alveolar bone resorption was treated with 4 short implants in the interforaminal area. The final hybrid metal-plastic full-arch lower prosthesis was delivered 3 days after the surgery, and the patient was instructed on cleaning methods and requested to maintain a soft diet for the first 2 postoperative months. After 6 months of follow-up, the patient experienced no problems; the prosthesis underwent a mechanical examination, each multiunit abutment's peri-implant tissue was assessed, and implants presented no mobility, fibrointegration, or signs of failure. X-ray images demonstrated stable bone levels around implants. Also, it was observed that the integrity of the entire jaw was preserved, and no signs of fracture were observed.