Introduction: Short implants non-invasively tackles severely resorbed ridges. In mandibular overdentures, most literature considered splinting of short implants the safest option despite its complications. Therefore, unsplinted short implants is a promising alternative. The stability of implants given their short lengths is an issue that needs to be addressed.
Aim of the study: Evaluate splinted and unsplinted short implant stability retaining mandibular overdentures in a one year follow-up. In addition, to evaluate the correlation between marginal bone loss and implant stability.
Materials and Methods: 12 edentulous patients were included in the study (test group n=6, control group n=6), patients received mandibular overdentures. In the test group four short implants were kept unsplinted with ball and socket attachments, while in the control group four short splinted implants with a customized bar with ball attachments were used. Implants stability were evaluated at the time of implant placement and after one year of loading using the Osstell device. Marginal bone loss was measured on digital periapical x-rays at the one year mark to evaluate the correlation between bone loss and implant stability.
Results: After one year, ISQ values were 81.04 ± 0.89 and 81.54 ± 0.89 for the test and control groups respectively, with no statistically significant differences. Marginal bone loss was 0.97mm ± 0.07 with unsplinted implants, and 0.92mm ± 0.12 with splinted implants. There was a negative correlation between implant stability and marginal bone loss.
Conclusion: Unsplinted short implants provide similar stability as splinted implants after retaining mandibular overdentures for one year.