Introduction: Atrophic mandibular jaws have been challenging to treat, using long implants. Techniques as jaw ridge augmentations, mandibular canal lateralization, and osseous distraction were proposed to allow the insertion of long Implants. However, complications as nerve injuries, tissue morbidity and prolonged healing have been inconvenient. Therefore, short implants with advanced surface treatments have been suggested.
Objectives: Clinical and radiographic evaluation of splinted and single short implants, before and after loading, for teeth replacement in atrophic posterior mandibular alveolar ridges.
Materials and Methods: A prospective study was done on 16 Patients with missing posterior teeth, with 6-8 mm of crestal height above the mandibular canal, and at least 7mm of bone width. Group A: 8 patients received 2 short implants loaded by splinted crowns. Group B: 8 patients received single short implants loaded by single crowns. Osstell and CBCts were used for implant stability and bone condition assessment.
Results: Both groups maintained high implant stability with a mean of (68.79±4.61) for group A and (71.71±3.55) for group B, 6 months postoperative. Mean marginal bone loss for group A and group B was (0.11±0.04) and (0.16±0.10) respectively; however the difference is insignificant with P value 0.535. A remarkable increase in bone density for both groups among the follow up time with P value Conclusions: Short Implant is a useful solution for teeth replacement in atrophic posterior mandibular ridges, with an 87.5% of success recorded.