It is suggested that immediate functional loading of implants that are placed with a conventional installation technique and with sufficient primary stability may be considered as a valid treatment alternative in a single-tooth replacement.

ObjectiveThe aim of this multicenter parallel‐group randomized controlled trial is to compare 6‐mm‐short with 11‐mm‐long implants in the rehabilitation of totally edentulous mandible in a completely comparable clinical situation, from anatomical, surgical, and prosthetic point of view.Material and methodsThirty patients were selected in three study centers to receive a fixed full‐arch mandibular rehabilitation supported by five inter‐foraminal implants. Patients were randomly allocated, at the time of surgery, half to the test group (6‐mm‐long implants) and half to the control group (11‐mm‐long implants). No bone augmentation procedure was performed. After 3 months, a screw‐retained full‐arch prosthesis with distal cantilevers was positioned (baseline). Peri‐implant marginal bone level change (MBLc), implant and prosthesis survival rate, and biological/technical complications were evaluated after 1 and 3 years.ResultsThirty subjects (150 implants) were evaluated after 1 year and 28 (140 implants) after 3 years. No implant or prosthesis loss occurred. No significant inter‐group difference for biological/technical complications was registered. No statistically significant (p > .025) intra‐group or inter‐group difference in the mean MBLc values was registered. The mean MBLc was 0.01 ± 0.19 mm and −0.04 ± 0.21 mm at 1 year, and −0.10 ± 0.24 mm and 0.02 ± 0.25 mm at 3 years (test and control groups, respectively).Conclusions6‐mm‐short implants may be a reliable option when used in the rehabilitation of total edentulous mandibles. These results need to be confirmed by longer follow‐up data from well‐designed randomized controlled clinical trials.

Summary Objectives This observational clinical study evaluated the patient satisfaction and the clinical outcomes of edentulous arches rehabilitated with overdentures retained by CAD‐CAM milled titanium bars. Materials and Methods Edentulous patients were treated with a full‐arch removable overdenture anchored on two milled bars based on a friction retention system. Patient satisfaction was tested using the validated Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP‐14) questionnaire at the pre‐ and post‐treatment visits, up to two years after prosthesis delivery (possible score range: 0‐56. Best: 0). The prosthodontist satisfaction was also assessed through a designed questionnaire (best possible range 0‐4. Best:0). Radiographic and clinical examinations were performed at baseline and after 2 years of function. Implant and prostheses complications were recorded. Results Forty (25 mandible) edentulous patients, mean age 69 ± 9.5 (SD) (52% males, 10% smokers), were treated with a total of 185 implants. The mean difference between pre‐ and post‐treatment OHIP‐14 score was 20.6 ± 8.0 (P < 0.0001) showing a high level of satisfaction for aesthetics, functional and psychological outcomes. This perception was not influenced by patient's age or gender. The clinicians' mean score was 3.4 ± 4.0. There was a marginal bone level (MBL) gain of 0.02 ± 0.22 mm between the two time points. Minor complications were reported in five patients. Conclusions This procedure may lead to satisfaction regarding aesthetics and mastication function. One of the most relevant aspects is the versatility, which allows selection of the most suitable treatment option according to patient needs. The prosthodontist satisfaction questionnaire showed that this procedure met the clinical expectations.

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