Effect of a platform switch and a laser-microgrooved coronal design on short dental implants: A multicenter retrospective study

BACKGROUND: The presence of severe atrophy in proximity to the maxillary sinus or the inferior alveolar nerve is a primary indication for the use of short dental implants. The placement of standard-length implants in such cases often requires complex regenerative procedures, leading to prolonged healing time and an increased invasiveness of the surgical procedure. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate crestal bone remodeling, implant success, complications, and implantand patient-related risk factors associated with the use of short, platform-switched dental implants with a laser-microgrooved collar for prosthetic rehabilitation of atrophic posterior jaws. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This multicenter retrospective study involved a chart review of medical records from 5 private dental clinics. Variables such as age, sex, smoking, periodontal disease, systemic diseases, medications, anatomical location, implant diameter and length, crown-to-implant ratio, and type of placement were collected. A total of 132 short implants placed in 84 patients were analyzed, with a follow-up of 3-5 years (mean (M): 4.2 ±0.8 years). RESULTS: Eight short implants failed, including 62.5% of those affected by peri-implantitis. The implantlevel and patient-level success rates were 93.9% and 95.0%, respectively. The mean crestal bone loss (CBL) was 0.385 ±0.7 mm. Univariate regression analysis revealed that female sex, smoking status and periodontal disease were significantly associated with implant success at both the implant and patient levels. CONCLUSIONS: Platform-switched short implants with a laser-microgrooved coronal design demonstrated high success rates in atrophic posterior jaws after 3-5 years of function, with stable crestal bone levels.