Short dental implants — what they are and when to use them

What are short dental implants?

Short dental implants are dental implants with a shorter length than standard ones, typically measuring less than 8 mm. They are used in cases where the patient has a limited amount of bone in the jaw or lower jaw, and it is impossible to carry out standard implantation without prior bone regeneration.

When are short dental implants used?

One of the main indications for the use of short implants is patients with insufficient volume of alveolar bone. In cases of significant bone loss, traditional implants require complex regenerative procedures, such as bone grafting or maxillary sinus lift. Short implants, up to 6 mm high, allow effective treatment without the need for these additional procedures, reducing surgical risk and shortening recovery time. Thanks to a special surface treatment, these implants support osseointegration and provide long-term stability.

Short implants are also indicated for patients with limited occlusal space and knife blade bone, where standard implants may encounter difficulties in embedding. Due to their compact design, they can be easily placed in anatomically difficult areas, restoring the bite function. In addition, their self-tapping function reduces tissue trauma during the procedure, which minimizes discomfort and speeds up the healing process.

They are mainly used in the lateral sections of the jaw and lower jaw, where anatomical structures limit the possibility of using implants of standard length. They are also used for patients with osteoporosis or other diseases that cause weakening of the bones, provided that the quality of the bone tissue allows them to be stably seated.

Patients suffering from periodontal diseases, such as advanced periodontitis, often experience significant bone resorption and osteoporosis, which makes it difficult to stably implant traditional implants. Short implants are designed in such a way as to minimize further bone loss and protect the residual structure of the alveolus. Thanks to this, implant treatment becomes possible even in people with severe bone atrophy, and the absence of the need for a transplant simplifies the procedure and reduces the patient's discomfort.

The indication for the use of short implants is also the patient's lack of consent to more complicated procedures, such as maxillary sinus lifting or bone grafting, which require additional time and increase the cost of treatment. Short implants are also a good option for people who, for various health reasons, cannot go through a long recovery process.

Short implants are also used in emergency situations, such as implant fractures, difficulties in removing implants embedded too deeply or large cavities after tooth extraction. Thanks to their compact and wide design, they can be easily adapted to difficult bone conditions, ensuring stability even in the most demanding cases.

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How do short dental implants differ from long ones?

Short and long dental implants differ primarily in length, but this is not the only significant difference.

Lenght

Short implants have a length of less than 8 mm, often in the range of 4—8 mm. Long implants are above 8 mm, usually 10 to 16 mm.

Clinical indications

Short implants are used when the patient has an insufficient amount of bone, especially in the lateral sections of the jaw and lower jaw. They are an alternative to bone regeneration procedures, such as lifting the bottom of the maxillary sinus or bone grafting. Long implants, on the other hand, require more bone volume and are preferred when an adequate amount of bone tissue is available. However, they provide greater stability in cases of normal anatomical conditions.

Stability and durability

Long implants spread the chewing forces over a larger area, which makes them more resistant to overloads. Short implants must have a specially designed surface and a wide diameter to increase adhesion to the bone and compensate for the smaller length.

Surgical procedure

Short implants are less invasive, have a shorter healing time, as well as a lower risk of complications, e.g. damage to the inferior alveolar nerve or maxillary sinus. Long implants may require bone grafting if the patient has too little bone. The procedure for their implementation may be more complicated and require longer healing.

Durability and success of treatment

Studies show that short implants can be just as effective as long ones if they are placed correctly and the patient follows the recommendations. Modern technologies, such as the rough surfaces of implants, improve their osteointegration (adhesion to the bone).

Do you have a bone loss problem, do you want implants without complicated procedures? Short implants can be a great option for them!

What is the lifespan of short dental implants?

In a clinical study within the Master of Oral Surgery and Implantology program and a program carried out at the Department of Implantoprosthetics of the San Carlos Clinical Hospital in Madrid, which included 14 participants (6 men and 8 women) with an average age of 63 years, 61 short implants were implanted - 36 with an external connection and 25 with an internal connection. At 24 months after implantation, the overall survival rate was 85.2%. In the final follow-up, implant survival reached 80% in the group with internal connection and 88.9% in the group with external connection.

Advantages of short dental implants

The unique design and way of embedding short implants in the mouth brings many benefits to both the patient and the implantologist.

1. No need for a bone transplant One of the biggest advantages of short implants is that they can be used in patients with insufficient alveolar bone. Standard implants often require bone augmentation, maxillary sinus floor elevation, or other restorative procedures that extend treatment time and increase its cost. Short implants eliminate this need, allowing treatment without additional surgical procedures.
2. Less invasiveness and shorter healing time Because of their length, short implants require a less invasive surgical procedure. This means a lower risk of complications, a shorter duration of the procedure and a faster recovery of the patient. Smaller incisions and limited violation of bone structures also translate into reduced pain and postoperative swelling.
3. Safe solution near anatomical structures — in the back of the jaw and lower jaw there are often anatomical limitations, such as the maxillary sinus or the inferior alveolar nerve. Standard implants may require advanced surgical techniques to avoid damage. Short implants, thanks to their reduced length, allow them to be embedded without the risk of violating these structures, which makes the procedure much safer.
4. High efficiency and stability — modern technologies used in the production of short implants, such as advanced titanium surfaces or hydroxyapatite coatings, allow for effective osseointegration, i.e. adhesion of the implant to the bone. Despite their shorter length, short implants provide adequate stability, especially when they have a larger diameter, which compensates for the lack of deeper embedding in the bone.
5. Reduction of treatment time In traditional implantology, full treatment can take up to several months, especially if additional bone reconstruction procedures are required. Short implants allow you to significantly shorten the entire process, which is especially important for patients who expect quick results and want to avoid many months of recovery.
6. High aesthetics and patient comfort — thanks to advanced technologies, short implants ensure the natural appearance of restored teeth and the comfort of wearing prosthetic restorations. Because the treatment process is less invasive, patients adapt more quickly to new implants, which translates into a better quality of life.