A prospective, multicenter study assessing the DENTSPLY Implants, OsseoSpeed ™ TX , length 6 mm in the posterior maxilla and mandible: a 1‐year follow‐up study

Objective The aim of this multicenter study was to prospectively assess clinical and radiographic outcomes of short implants (length 6 mm) in the posterior region and early‐loading with splinted‐fixed dental prostheses. Materials and methods A total of 45 subjects (77.8% with chronic periodontitis) were enrolled at three study sites. In total, 95 implants (diameter 4 mm, length 6 mm; OsseoSpeed ™ 4.0 S; DENTSPLY Implants; Mölndal, Sweden) were placed, two or three implants per subject, using one‐stage surgery and loaded with a screw‐retained splinted ceramic‐fixed prosthesis 6 weeks later. Clinical and radiographic examinations were performed preoperatively, post‐surgery, at loading, and 6 and 12 months after prosthesis placement. Results Four implants failed before loading; all other implants showed favorable clinical and radiographic findings throughout the observation period (1‐year survival and success rate: 95.8%). Postoperative pain and swelling were negligible. Mean changes in marginal bone levels measured from loading were minimal (0.01 ± 0.37 and −0.13 ± 0.46 mm after 6 months and 1 year, respectively). Bone loss less than 1.00 mm was found in 77.5% implants, and bone gain was found in 15.5% implants. Probing depth change less than 2 mm was found in 98.7% of the implants between loading and 1‐year follow‐up. Prosthetic complications included one ceramic veneer chipping. Conclusion One‐year data indicate that the use of 6‐mm‐long implants is a predictable treatment. This provides a good treatment option in situations with limited bone height in posterior regions.