Outcomes of placing short dental implants in the posterior mandible: a retrospective study of 124 cases.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the overall success of short dental implants (8 mm in length) placed in the partially or completely edentulous posterior mandible restored with fixed and removable prostheses. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 124 patients had 335 8-mm-long implants placed from May 2005 until June 2007. Of the 124 total patients, 35 were men and 89 were women, with a median age of 56 years and an age range of 18 to 80 years at the time of implant surgery. There were 112 patients who were partially edentulous and 12 who were completely edentulous. Of the patients, 32 had a single implant placed whereas the other 92 had multiple implants placed. One patient had the implants immediately provisionally loaded. All of the implants were restored by use of fixed prostheses. Of these fixed prostheses, 245 were splinted together whereas 75 were restored individually. RESULTS: A total of 335 short dental implants were placed in 124 patients. Of the 335 implants placed, 331 integrated successfully. In the 2 cases that failed, the sites were grafted with porous hydroxyapatite and platelet-rich plasma. The implants were replaced at 5 months after the initial failure in the first patient and at 7 months in the second patient. These replacement implants integrated and have been restored and in function for more than 16 months. There was 1 fracture of an implant with a restoration. The implant had been restored with an individually fabricated fixed restoration, with the fracture occurring at the head of the implant, requiring removal. The implant and restoration had been in function for 10 months before fracture.There were no other fractures of implants or restorative hardware noted in this study. The survival rate for 8-mm implants placed in the mandible was 99% from stage I surgery to a functional prosthesis for up to 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: Placement of short dental implants is a predictable treatment method for patients with decreased posterior mandibular bone height.

Dental implants in geriatric patients: a retrospective study of 47 cases.

PURPOSE: To determine the overall success of dental implants placed in geriatric patients. PATIENTS: Dental implants were placed in 47 geriatric patients who were 79 or more years of age at the time of the procedure. The study group was composed of 27 men and 20 women, with a median age of 89 years and a range of 79 to 99 years of age at the time of implant surgery. A total of 73 dental implants were placed in the maxilla and 87 dental implants placed in the mandible. All implants were restored with fixed implant-supported prostheses or removable implant-supported prostheses. Eleven of the patients underwent maxillary sinus augmentation with porous hydroxyapatite and platelet-rich plasma. Seven patients had their implants immediately loaded. RESULTS: A total of 160 dental implants were placed in the 47 geriatric patients. One hundred fifty-nine integrated successfully. In the case of the failed implant, the site was grafted and another implant was placed 5 months subsequent to the initial failure. This replacement implant integrated and has been in function for 6 months. The survival rate for dental implants placed in the maxilla was 99% and in the mandible was 100% in our geriatric population. CONCLUSION: Treatment with dental implants can be predictable and safe for the rapidly growing geriatric population. Geriatric patients who are medically stable are suitable candidates for osseointegrated implant surgery, which facilitates oral function, comfort, and quality of life. A review of the 47 geriatric patients treated supports the conclusion that dental implants can be successfully placed and restored with fixed implant-supported or removable implant-supported prostheses.