Effect of a platform switch and a laser-microgrooved coronal design on short dental implants: A multicenter retrospective study.

BACKGROUND

The presence of severe atrophy in proximity to the maxillary sinus or the inferior alveolar nerve is a primary indication for the use of short dental implants. The placement of standard-length implants in such cases often requires complex regenerative procedures, leading to prolonged healing time and an increased invasiveness of the surgical procedure.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to evaluate crestal bone remodeling, implant success, complications, and implantand patient-related risk factors associated with the use of short, platform-switched dental implants with a laser-microgrooved collar for prosthetic rehabilitation of atrophic posterior jaws.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

This multicenter retrospective study involved a chart review of medical records from 5 private dental clinics. Variables such as age, sex, smoking, periodontal disease, systemic diseases, medications, anatomical location, implant diameter and length, crown-to-implant ratio, and type of placement were collected. A total of 132 short implants placed in 84 patients were analyzed, with a follow-up of 3-5 years (mean (M): 4.2 ±0.8 years).

RESULTS

Eight short implants failed, including 62.5% of those affected by peri-implantitis. The implantlevel and patient-level success rates were 93.9% and 95.0%, respectively. The mean crestal bone loss (CBL) was 0.385 ±0.7 mm. Univariate regression analysis revealed that female sex, smoking status and periodontal disease were significantly associated with implant success at both the implant and patient levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Platform-switched short implants with a laser-microgrooved coronal design demonstrated high success rates in atrophic posterior jaws after 3-5 years of function, with stable crestal bone levels.