Immediate loading short implants inserted on low bone quantity for the rehabilitation of the edentulous maxilla using an All-on-4 design

Summary 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.