RESUMEN
AIM: The aim of this nonrandomized controlled preliminary clinical trial was to compare treatment using short and conventional implants in the posterior region of the mandible after prosthesis installation by means of clinical, resonance frequency, and radiographic analyses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 10 patients with 40 dental implants already installed were included in this study. Four implants were installed for each subject, in which the length of the implants (short and conventional) was distributed according to the reminiscent alveolar bone in the left and right side of the mandible. All implants received splinted prosthesis after the osseointegration period. Analyses were performed immediately after prosthesis installation (T1), and 3 (T2) and 6 months (T3) after prosthesis placement. RESULTS: The 6-month survival and success rates were 100% for the short and conventional implants. Probing depths (PDs) after 6 months did not show statistical differences between short and conventional implants. All groups showed mean implant stability quotient (ISQ) values above 60 in all periods evaluated, demonstrating great implant stability, and no differences were found between groups at T3. Radiographic measurements showed an increased bone loss for conventional implants compared with short implants in all the three periods evaluated. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that treatment of resorbed posterior regions in the mandible with shorter dental implants is as reliable as treatment with conventional implants after 6 months of splinted prosthesis installation. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Short implants might be considered a predictable treatment alternative to bone augmentation or extensive surgical techniques in regions of restricted vertical bone height in the posterior region of the mandible.