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Short implants

Where bone height is limited, shorter implants can be an option.

In suitable cases, short implants can make implant treatment possible without extensive bone grafting — which can mean fewer surgical procedures and a shorter treatment process.

They are not right for everyone: bone quality, bite forces and the planned prosthesis are assessed together. Patients who have been told their bone is insufficient can be assessed in advance from a panoramic X-ray or CBCT.

  • Graft-free treatment where suitable
  • Aim of less surgical intervention
  • Pre-assessment from your X-ray
Send your X-ray for this treatment

This page is for general information. The right treatment for you is decided after examination and imaging.

Latest articles

One Anatomy. Two Surgical Philosophies.

One anatomy, two surgical philosophies.

When bone height in the upper back jaw is limited, two different paths can be taken. Both are documented in the literature. Which one fits depends on the anatomy, the available bone and the patient.

Atrophic posterior maxilla: after tooth loss, bone height decreases and the sinus floor moves closer to the mouth.

Path 1

Augmentation-driven path

Lateral window sinus floor elevation

Augmentation-driven path: Lateral window sinus floor elevationMaxillary sinusSchneiderian membraneLimited bone heightGum← Cheek sidePalate side →Lateral windowGraft
  1. A small window is opened in the side wall of the sinus.
  2. The membrane is lifted and the space is filled with graft material.
  3. Depending on bone height, a longer implant is placed in the same session or after healing.
Path 2

Anatomy-driven path

Short implant + internal (transcrestal) sinus lift

Anatomy-driven path: Short implant + internal (transcrestal) sinus liftMaxillary sinusSchneiderian membraneLimited bone heightGum← Cheek sidePalate side →Osteotome
  1. Access is through the implant site itself; no separate window is opened.
  2. The sinus floor is gently raised with an osteotome; the membrane forms a small dome.
  3. A short implant suited to the existing bone is usually placed in the same session.
Characteristics of each approach (a description, not a ranking)
Augmentation-driven pathAnatomy-driven path
Surgical accessSide wall of the sinusImplant site
Graft volumeLargeLimited, autogenous if needed
Implant lengthUsually standard / longShort
TimingSame session or stagedUsually same session

Two philosophies, one goal:

Minimally invasive implantology.

References (3)
  1. Pjetursson BE, Tan WC, Zwahlen M, Lang NP. A systematic review of the success of sinus floor elevation and survival of implants inserted in combination with sinus floor elevation. J Clin Periodontol 2008;35(8 Suppl):216–240. doi:10.1111/j.1600-051X.2008.01272.x
  2. Tan WC, Lang NP, Zwahlen M, Pjetursson BE. A systematic review of the success of sinus floor elevation and survival of implants inserted in combination with sinus floor elevation. Part II: transalveolar technique. J Clin Periodontol 2008;35(8 Suppl):241–254. doi:10.1111/j.1600-051X.2008.01273.x
  3. Thoma DS, Haas R, Tutak M, Garcia A, Schincaglia GP, Hämmerle CHF. Randomized controlled multicentre study comparing short dental implants (6 mm) versus longer dental implants (11–15 mm) in combination with sinus floor elevation procedures. Part 1: demographics and patient-reported outcomes at 1 year of loading. J Clin Periodontol 2015;42(1):72–80. doi:10.1111/jcpe.12323

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