ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:Research on rough-surfaced implants has demonstrated similar survival rates for short and conventional-length implants. It is not clear whether ultrashort implant in limited alveolar bone of the posterior maxila can achieve good clinical results. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the clinical effect of ultrashort implants in limited alveolar bone of the posterior maxila. METHODS:Eighteen patients with 21 ultrashort implants in limited alveolar bone of posterior maxila (the mean residual alveolar height=3.19 mm) were included in the study, including 10 males and 8 females, aged 25-68 years. At 12 months after restoration, the patients were detected with cone-beam CT to evaluate the osseointegration and marginal bone level around the implant. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Al the 18 patients completed the 12-month folow-up, and the 21 pieces of implants had good osseointegration. No soft tissue inflammation was found. At 12 months after restoration, the marginal bone height in the mesial and distal was (-0.21±0.78) mm and (-0.16±0.55) mm, respectively. Implant marginal bone changes in the mesial and distal had no statistical difference (P > 0.05). Ultrashort implants in limited alveolar bone of the posterior maxila can have good osseointegration, maintain the marginal bone mass around the implant, but stil need long-term clinical observation.