Preliminary results of fixed, fiber-reinforced resin bridges on four 4- x 5-mm ultrashort implants in compromised bony sites: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: To determine the effectiveness of fixed, fiber-reinforced resin bridges on 4 ultrashort implants with a sufficient implant survival success rate of at least 90% in highly atrophic jaws. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective temporal cohort study was designed, with the inclusion of 10 patients. Of the 10 patients, 8 had atrophic jaws (7 women, 1 man; mean age at implant placement 58.5 years, range 40.7 to 73.9) and 2 had fibula-mandibular transplants (1 woman, aged 76.5 years; and 1 man, aged 69.3 years). All 10 patients had their dentition restored with 4 ultrashort implants. The implant dimensions were 4 mm in diameter and 5 mm long, with a locking taper abutment connection supporting a fixed, fiber-reinforced and composite resin-facetted bridge. The postoperative follow-up period averaged 19.5 months (range 9.1 to 33.1). RESULTS: The survival and success rate was 97.25%. The average mesial and distal bone level was 0.2 +/- 0.3 mm in the atrophic mandibles and 0.4 +/- 1.2 mm in the fibula transplants at the last follow-up visit. Prosthetic-related patient issues were limited to decementation events. No chipping or fracturing of the prostheses was observed. CONCLUSION: Retention of fixed prosthetic restorations using 4 ultrashort implants showed promising short-term cumulative survival and success rates.