ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Short implants have been presented as an option for posterior rehabilitation in cases of poor bone height. PURPOSE: To compare the survival rate of short implants and standard implants when used in posterior single crowns, in addition to reporting marginal bone loss, prosthetic failures, and surgical complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Electronic search (PubMed, LILACS, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science) and hand search were performed to identify all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials (CCTs) that evaluated both short and standard implants in posterior single crowns. RESULTS: Out of 345 articles identified by both electronic and hand search, four studies were selected (one CCT and three RCTs). The meta-analysis for the survival rate showed that there was no significant difference between the short implants and the standard ones (P = 1.00; RR:1.00; CI:0.97-1.03) performed with three RCTs for a one-year follow-up. The mean marginal bone loss ranged from 0.1 mm to 0.54 mm. Only one study reported the presence of prosthetic failures and surgical complications. CONCLUSIONS: The survival rate of short implants was similar to the standard ones in posterior single crowns, for the one-year follow-up period. They also presented low surgical complications, prosthetic failures and marginal bone loss, being a predictable treatment for single rehabilitation in posterior tooth loss.