Short vs. Standard Laser-Microgrooved Implants Supporting Single and Splinted Crowns: A Prospective Study with 3 Years Follow-Up

Purpose The aim of this study was to compare survival rates, marginal bone loss (MBL), and peri-implant soft tissue parameters between short and standard laser-microgrooved implants supporting single or splinted crowns 3 years after loading. Materials and Methods 30 subjects received 1 short (<= 7 mm ) and 1 standard length (>= 9 mm ) laser-microgrooved implant in adjacent sites of the premolar and molar regions of the mandible or maxilla. Peri-implant soft tissue parameters and intraoral radiographs were recorded at the delivery of definitive crowns (baseline) and 3 years later. Cumulative survival rate (CSR) and marginal bone loss (MBL) in relation to crown/implant (C/I) ratio, implant length, location, type of antagonist, and type of prosthetic design (single or splinted), were evaluated. Results CSR of short implants was 98%, compared to 100% for standard implants, without significant statistical difference. MBL was not significantly different over the observation period, with an average of 0.23 +/- 0.6 mm and 0.27 +/- 0.3 mm for short and standard implants, respectively. No statistical differences were found between short and standard implants regarding plaque (14.7% vs. 15.7%), number of sites BOP (8.3% vs. 5.9%), probing depth (1.13 +/- 0.6 mm vs. 1.04 +/- 0.8 mm), and mean mucosal recession (0.18 +/- 0.3 mm vs. 0.22 +/- 0.3 mm). Analyzing MBL in relation to the C/I ratio, implant length, location, type of antagonist, and type of prosthetic design, no statistically significant differences were found. Conclusion Regardless of C/I ratio, implant length, location, type of antagonist, and type of prosthetic design, short and standard laser-microgrooved implants had similar survival rates, MBL, and peri-implant soft tissue conditions over the observation period of 3 years.