Early loading of 6‐mm‐short implants with a moderately rough surface supporting single crowns – a prospective 5‐year cohort study

Aim To evaluate prospectively the clinical and radiographic outcomes after 5 years of early loading of 6‐mm implants with a moderately rough ( SLA ctive ® ) surface supporting single crowns in the posterior regions. Material and methods Thirty‐five consecutive patients received 40 SLA ctive ® ( S traumann) 6‐mm implants with a diameter of 4.1 mm ( n  = 19) or 4.8 mm ( n  = 21). Insertion torque and resonance frequency analysis ( RFA ) were measured at implant installation. RFA was also measured at abutment connection. S yn O cta abutments were tightened with 35 Ncm after 6 weeks of healing, and single porcelain fuse to metal crowns was cemented within 1 week. Implant survival rate and marginal bone loss were evaluated at various time intervals until 5 years after loading. The clinical crown/implant ratio was calculated as well. Results Two of 40 implants were lost before loading (incorporation rate 95%), and no further implant loss or technical complications were encountered during the 5‐year follow‐up period. A mean marginal bone loss of 0.7 ± 0.6 mm was found after 5 years of function. The clinical crown/implant ratio increased with time from 1.6 at the delivery of the prosthesis to 2 after 5 years of loading. Conclusion Six millimeter implants with a SLA ctive ® moderately rough surface supporting single crowns in the posterior region and loaded after 6–7 weeks maintained full function for at least 5 year with low marginal bone resorption.