Clinical Evaluation of Splinted vs. Unsplinted Short Implants Stability Retaining Mandibular Overdentures

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Short implants non-invasively tackles severely resorbed ridges. In mandibular overdentures, most literature considered splinting of short implants the safest option despite its complications. Therefore, unsplinted short implants is a promising alternative. The stability of implants given their short lengths is an issue that needs to be addressed. AIM OF THE STUDY: Evaluate splinted and unsplinted short implant stability retaining mandibular overdentures in a one year followup. In addition, to evaluate the correlation between marginal bone loss and implant stability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 12 edentulous patients were included in the study and were divided into two groups (n=6), patients received mandibular overdentures. In the test group four short implants were kept unsplinted with ball and socket attachments, while in the control group four short splinted implants with a customized bar with ball attachments were used. Implants stability were evaluated at the time of implant placement and after one year of loading using a Resonance Frequency Analysis device. Marginal bone loss was measured on digital periapical x-rays at the one year mark to evaluate the correlation between bone loss and implant stability. RESULTS: After one year, Implant Stability Quotient (ISQ) values were 81.04 ± 0.89 and 81.54 ± 0.89 for the test and control groups respectively, with no statistically significant differences. Marginal bone loss was 0.97mm ± 0.07 with unsplinted implants, and 0.92mm ± 0.12 with splinted implants. There was a negative correlation between implant stability and marginal bone loss. CONCLUSION: Unsplinted short implants provide similar stability as splinted implants after retaining mandibular overdentures for one year.