title: Extra short dental implants supporting an overdenture in the edentulous maxilla: a proof of concept.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigates the outcome of short implants additionally placed with longer implants to support a maxillary overdenture.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve patients received six implants to support a maxillary overdenture. Only one patient still had two molars in the maxilla, while the others had no remaining teeth. The status of the opposing arch was diverse. The distal implant in each quadrant was 6 mm in height (S) and the middle implants ranged between 10 and 14 mm (L). All implants were placed following a one-stage procedure and early loaded (6 weeks). Clinical and radiological parameters were assessed 6, 12 and 24 months after loading.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One short implant failed 2 weeks after surgery, probably due to early mobilization by the provisional prosthesis. The mean bone loss on the rough part of the implant was 0.7 mm (S) vs. 1.3 mm (L) during the first year and 0.3 mm (S) vs. 0.2 mm (L) during the second year after loading. The mean implant stability quotient values were 67 (S) vs. 70 (L) at placement and 75 (S) vs. 78 (L) after 1 year. At the 2-year follow- up, all prostheses were still stable and comfortable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An overdenture on six implants, of which two have a reduced length, might represent a successful treatment option. No significant difference could be found between both implant lengths at 2 years' follow-up. However, bone loss with short implants may increase the likelihood of failure.
authors: Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Medicine, Catholic University Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Van Assche
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Michels
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Quirynen
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Naert
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015921:Dental Implants; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003828:Denture, Overlay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057893:Immediate Dental Implant Loading; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants