Objective: To evaluate the predictability of narrow-diameter implants as a treatment option in routine clinical practice. A literature review was performed of studies reporting clinical results obtained with these implants. Survival rates, peri-implant bone loss and related complications were evaluated. The working hypothesis was that narrow-diameter implants offer clinical results similar to those obtained with implants of greater diameter. Material and Methods: A Medline-PubMed search covering the period between 2002 and 2012 was carried out. Studies published in English and with a follow-up period of at least 12 months were considered for inclusion. A manual search was also conducted in different journals with an important impact factor. Results: Twenty-one studies meeting the screening criteria were included in the literature review. A total of 2980 narrow-diameter implants placed in 1607 patients were analyzed. Conclusions: The results obtained from the literature indicate that narrow-diameter implants are a predictable treatment option, since they afford clinical results comparable to those obtained with implants of greater diameter. Key words:Narrow implant, survival rate, peri-implant bone loss, related complications.

BackgroundShort implants (< 10 mm) are one of the treatment options available in cases of limited vertical bone. A purpose of this paper is to evaluate the predictability of short implants as an alternative to technically molthough such implants are now widely used, there is controversy regarding their clinical reliability. There complex treatments in patients with atrophic maxillae, based on a systematic review of the literature and the analysis of the implant survival rates, changes in peri-implant bone level, and associated complications. It is postulated that short implants offer clinical results similar to those of longer implants.Material and MethodsA Medline-PubMed search was made covering the period between January 2004 and December 2014 (both included). Studies in English published in indexed journals, involving at least 20 implants and with a follow-up period of at least 12 months were considered. A manual search in four high impact journals was also conducted.ResultsA total of 37 studies meeting the inclusion criteria were included in this review. 9792 implants placed in over 5000 patients were analyzed.ConclusionsBased on the results of this review, short implants are seen to offer clinical results in terms of survival, bone loss and complications similar to those of longer implants. Key words:Survival rate, clinical results, dental implants, oral implants, short implants, short lengt