Retrospective Assessment of Survival Rate for Short Endosseous Dental Implants

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the survival rate of short implants that were placed in a residency program. In addition, the potential influence of diabetes, smoking, sinus grafting, guided bone regeneration, and implant type on survival was analyzed. Methods: Through a retrospective chart review, patient information and parameters for short implants being equal or less than 10 mm and regular implants being more than 10 mm were collected. The cumulative survival rate and implant and patient information from 213 consecutively placed implants from May 2002 through October 2011 were analyzed. Results: The average survival time for short implants was 47.3 months, with a range of 6 to 141 months. The implant survival rate was 95.77% for short implants, which was not statistically significant from the regular implants. Smoking had a statistically significant negative effect on the survival rate of short implants. No statistical differences were found with implant survival rates for other factors. Conclusion: It can be concluded that short implants can be predictably placed in the mouth with a high survival rate and that smoking has a negative influence on the survival rate of the short implants.