Short threaded implants with an oxidized surface to restore posterior teeth: 1- to 3-year results of a prospective study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this multicenter prospective study was to provide data from a case series supporting the use of short dental implants with oxidized surfaces to treat partially edentulous patients.MATERIALS AND METHODS: The implants used had an oxidized surface, a tapered design, and a short length (8.5 mm or shorter). All implants were placed in posterior edentulous areas that were affected by high bone resorption (available bone height < 10 mm). Implant success was established according to predetermined criteria.RESULTS: Records were available for 107 implants used to treat 46 patients (69.2% were 7 mm long, and 30.8% were 8.5 mm long); 80.4% were placed in the posterior mandible, and 19.6% were placed in the posterior maxilla. With regard to restorations, 27.1% of implants were restored with single crowns, 16.8% with a single cantilever, and 56.1% with fixed prostheses. After a 1- to 3- year follow-up, 105 implants are still functioning; only 2 implants have been lost, for a survival rate of 98.1%. In all, 4 of the 107 implants placed failed to meet the success criteria, resulting in a success rate of 96.3%. The mean marginal bone loss was 0.6 ± 0.2 mm.CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that short oxidized implants should be regarded as a possible solution for the restoration of posterior teeth in highly resorbed areas.