Primary and Secondary Stability of Short (4 mm) Versus Standard ( 10 mm) lmplants Placed in the Same Mandible: A Prospective Clinical Study

Purpose: To compare the stability of short vs standard (ie, regular-length) implants in the edentulous mandible. Materials and Methods: In this prospective clinical study, 20 patients with edentulous mandibles received four implants each-two short implants (4 mm) in the region of the first molar and two standard implants (z 10 mm) in the interforaminal region. Implant stability was assessed using resonance frequency analysis immediately after implant placement and at the day of the abutment connection after 3 months of healing in order to provide an implant stability quotient (ISQ). Results: Implant stability in the two implant groups at placement (ISQ: short 66.2; standard 68.2) and at abutment connection (ISQ: short 74.9; standard 75.7) did not differ substantially or statistically significantly (both P > .05). Findings did not change after statistically controlling for potential confounders such as bone quality and bone crest width. At abutment connection, 95% of the short and 97.5% of the standard implants demonstrated sufficient stability for conventional loading (P> .05). Conclusions: Short dental implants demonstrate similar primary and secondary stability compared to standard implants and seem to be a promising treatment option for rehabilitation of patients with edentulous mandibles.IntJOralMaxillofac lmplants 2023;38:733-738. doi: 10.11607/jomi.10096