Purpose: To compare the stability of short vs standard (ie, regular-length) implants in the edentulous mandible.
Materials and Methods: In this prospective clinical study, 20 patients with edentulous mandibles received four implants each—two short implants (4 mm) in the region of the first molar and two standard implants (≥ 10 mm) in the interforaminal region. Implant stability was assessed using resonance frequency analysis immediately after implant placement and at the day of the abutment connection after 3 months of healing in order to provide an implant stability quotient (ISQ).
Results: Implant stability in the two implant groups at placement (ISQ: short 66.2; standard 68.2) and at abutment connection (ISQ: short 74.9; standard 75.7) did not differ substantially or statistically significantly (both P > .05). Findings did not change after statistically controlling for potential confounders such as bone quality and bone crest width. At abutment connection, 95% of the short and 97.5% of the standard implants demonstrated sufficient stability for conventional loading (P > .05).
Conclusions: Short dental implants demonstrate similar primary and secondary stability compared to standard implants and seem to be a promising treatment option for rehabilitation of patients with edentulous mandibles.
Keywords: dental implants, short implants, implant stability, resonance frequency analysis
