Long‐term clinical performance of short 6‐mm implants supporting single crowns in the posterior region: A 10‐year cohort study

Abstract Introduction Long‐term clinical success of non‐splinted, posterior, and short implants still is unclear. This prospective cohort study reports the 10‐year follow‐up of 6‐mm implants supporting single crowns in the posterior region, and patient‐reported outcomes. Methods Baseline sample comprised 20 patients treated with 46 screw‐retained crowns supported by 6‐mm implants with moderately rough implant surface. Participants were recalled for a 10‐year clinical follow‐up to assess survival rates, biologic and mechanic conditions, quality of life (OHIP‐14), and treatment satisfaction. Data were collected with clinical‐radiographic exams and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results Fourteen patients with 35 implant‐crown units were examined after 127.6 ± 11.8 months. For the entire cohort period, 7/46 implants were lost (survival estimate: 77.7% at 133 months), and mechanic complications occurred in 14/46 units (survival estimate: 66.4% at 116 months). In the Cox models, “maximum occlusal force” had a significant effect for implant loss ( p = 0.038) and for prosthetic screw loosening ( p = 0.038); “arch” and “bruxism” were not significant. Peri‐implant bone loss was 0.4 ± 0.6 mm at 10 years. For peri‐implant bone level, “crown‐to‐implant ratio” ( p < 0.001) and “time” ( p = 0.001) were significant. Bone levels differed from baseline to 12, 48, and 120 months. Satisfaction VAS was 94.0 ± 7.9 mm and OHIP‐14 was 2.3 ± 2.2. Conclusion Single screw‐retained crowns supported by 6‐mm implants have an acceptable long‐term clinical performance, with stable peri‐implant bone levels after 10 years of function.