Rehabilitation of an atrophic posterior mandible with 4-mm short implants: a 3-year post-loading case report.

AIM: We describe a successful implant-prosthetic rehabilitation of an atrophic posterior mandible with 4 mm long implants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The patient refused to undergo any reconstructive surgery and, because the available bone up to the inferior alveolar nerve was only 4.5 and 5 mm, the patient received 4 implants of 4 mm length. RESULTS: Four months after implant positioning, a temporary prosthesis was put in place which was then replaced by a permanent prosthesis after another four months. The follow-up time is at three years after implants loading. CONCLUSION: With the limits of this case report the use of such short implants can allow a fixed prosthetic solution without the need for vertically augmenting of the mandibular bone. This procedure considerably reduces intra and postoperative patient discomfort compared to reconstructive surgery for the placing of longer implants.