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. Keywords: dental implants, oxidized surface, posterior teeth, short implants