Extra short implants in the prosthetic rehabilitation of the posterior maxilla

AIM: To compare clinical outcomes of 'extra-short' and regular bone level implants in the posterior maxilla for 12 months after loading. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three systemically healthy, non-smoking patients received 30 extra-short, 24 regular bone level implants. Acrylic stents were fabricated for each patient for correct implant positioning. Implant lengths were 4-6 mm in the test, 8/10 mm in the control group. Radiographic evaluation was performed at baseline, 6, and 12 months after loading. Crestal bone level (CBL), CBL change (CBLC), true crown length (TCL), implant/crown ratio (ICR) and residual bone height (RBH) below maxillary sinus floor were calculated digitally. Data were tested statistically. RESULTS: Residual bone height was significantly lower, and TCL and ICR were higher in the test than the control group (P 0.05). No correlation was found between the CBLC and implant/prosthetic parameters. CONCLUSION: Extra-short and regular implants might provide similar clinical outcomes in prosthetic rehabilitation of atrophic maxilla, during 12 months follow-up.