Survival of immediately versus delayed loaded short implants: a prospective case series study

Background: To assess and compare survival rates of immediately and delayed loaded short implants (7 mm) in free ends of a partially edentulous jaw with moderate-severe alveolar bone resorption. Material and Methods: 24 patients with atrophic edentulous free-ends were included in this prospective study. Four study groups were monitored monthly and their behavior was evaluated: bridges supported only by short implants and mixed short and long implant bridge groups, both with immediate and delayed loading. Failures, bone loss, probing depth and bleeding on probing were evaluated. Results: 54 Mk III Shorty TiU and 15 Brånemark System®MK III TiU implants with a length longer than 7mm were inclu…