Short implants (5-8 mm) vs long implants (≥10 mm) with augmentation in atrophic posterior jaws: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

The aim of this systematic review was to compare the survival rate, marginal bone loss changes and complications between short implants (5-8 mm) and long implants (≥10 mm) with a bone-augmented procedure in the posterior jaw. An electronic search of the MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase and Cochrane Library databases through September 2018 was done to identify randomised controlled trials (RCT) assessing short implants and long implants with at least a 1-year follow-up period after loading. A quantitative meta-analysis was conducted on the survival rate, marginal bone loss changes and complications. Ten RCTs met the inclusion criteria. There were no significant differences in the survival rate (RR: 1.01; 95% CI: [0.99, 1.03]; P = .32) and complications (RR: 0.48; 95% CI: [0.20, 1.17]; P = .11) between the two groups. Compared with the long implant group, the short implant group had a lower marginal bone loss change, and the effect measure was significant (mean difference: -0.13; 95% CI: [-0.20, -0.06]; P < .05). This systematic review showed no difference between the survival rates and complications of short implants (5-8 mm) and long implants (≥10 mm). The marginal bone loss changes in short implants are lower than those in long implants.