Crestal bone loss in ultrashort implants: retrospective study on two different type of fixture.

Aim This was to assess variation of mean crestal bone loss (CBL) when two different types of ultrashort implants are placed in the upper or in the lower jaw and to evaluate differences in terms of success and survival rates.

Materials and methods 99 ultrashort implants were retrospectively evaluated assessing differences at three different time-points (placement, prosthetic loading, end of follow-up) in terms of CBL in the upper and lower jaw. Correlations between CBL and diameter, platform switching, site of placement (upper or lower), type of implants, clinical crown/implant ratio and anatomical crown/implant ratio were statistically performed and success and survival rate were assessed.

Results Statistically significant correlations were found between CBL and implant diameter, kind of screw and anatomical crown/implant ratio at the end of follow up. No correlation was highlighted between CBL and platform switching, and site of placement (upper or lower jaw). Survival and success rates were comparable and were found to be 96.37% in the upper jaw and 94.46% in the mandible.

Conclusion CBL in ultrashort implants is an issue deserving great attention, therefore to know features and behaviours of different ultrashort implants in different quality of bone and clinical conditions represents a cut above to obtain and maintaining success in this particular kind of rehabilitation.