Evaluation of Short Implants Installed in Atrophic Jaws

We herein report on the usefulness of short implants in the posterior mandibular region of a 51-year-old woman with chief complaint of untreated caries of the lower second molar on the left side. Implant surgery was performed using standard Astra Tech protocol. We determined the final drill diameter according to bone quality, and a 4.0×10-mm (diameter×length) implant was inserted into the left mandibular molar region. After 3 months of submerged healing, provisional, screw-retained, reinforced, acrylic restorations rigidly joining the implant were placed on the abutment. The occlusal surface was adjusted to be in slight contact with the opposite dentition. Four months after the placement of the provisional prosthesis, the implant was manually tested for stability, and a definitive metal–ceramic restoration rigidly joining the implant with occlusal surface in metal was embedded on the titanium- based abutment. There have been no serious problems for more than 5 years.