Rehabilitation of a severe mandibular atrophy with four-millimeter extra-short implant and guided bone regeneration (GBR): case report with 7-years follow-up

The aim of this study was to report the use of extra-short and short implants in combination with Guided Bone Regeneration (GBR) to rehabilitate a case of severe mandibular reabsorption. A 55-year-old female patient asked for a fixed implant supported rehabilitation in 4.5 - 4.6 zone which showed severe atrophy. It was decided to use an extra-short 4 mm length and 4.1 mm Ø, Roxolid and SLActive implant (Straumann Standard Plus Regular Neck, Institut Straumann AG) in 4.5 position and a short 6 mm length and 4.8 mm Ø, Roxolid and SLActive implant (Straumann Standard Plus Wide Neck, Institut Straumann AG)in 4.6 position. The implants supported cemented fixed prosthesis. Examinations were performed at the day of the surgery and up to 7-years in function to evaluate implant stability and periapical radiography. One extra-short implant and one short implant were placed. After 7 years in function no biological or prosthetic complication were recorded. Within the limitation of this case report, the use of short and extra-short implants to support fixed prosthesis seem to be a feasible treatment alternative in severe mandibular atrophy.