Pertinencia del uso de implantes dentales cortos en pacientes con atrofia ósea severa: revisión de la literatura

Abstract

The purpose of this review is to determine the relevance of the use of short implants, defining them as "those whose length is ≤8 mm" according to the existing bibliography about it. We have centred the search on the use of implants of this length in comparison to alternative treatments (bony grafts, bone augmentation, dental nerve transposition, etc.) in patients with severe maxillary atrophy. It provides answers to the following questions: Is the use of short dental implants a treatment of foreseeable results? Are the percentages of success in the medium and long term comparable to those of implants with an average standard length? In certain clinical situations, can they be used as a substitute for other advanced surgical techniques (bony grafts, bone augmentation, distalization of the dental nerve), diminishing with it the morbidity, the rehabilitation periods and the cost for the patient? Is it required a specific prosthetic and clinical protocol to guarantee the success in the rehabilitation? In which cases of maxillary atrophy is this technique/treatment contraindicated in favour of other ones like zygomatic implants or bone grafts? Through an almost-systematic search in meta-search engine, agencies of evidence (systematic reviews) and bibliographical databases, we expose the evolution of the evidence on the matter, the most recent data published and the conclusions obtained.