Does crown-to-implant ratio affect marginal bone loss around a single short implant at the posterior of the mandible?

Context: Short implants are acceptable treatment options for atrophic ridges; however, they increase the crown-to-implant (C/I) ratio compared to regular length implants. The study aimed to assess the correlation between the C/I ratio and marginal bone loss (MBL) in single short implants at the posterior of the mandible.

Aims: The study aimed to assess the correlation between the C/I ratio and MBL in single short implants at the posterior of the mandible.

Settings and design: Cross-sectional study.

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study assessed short implants with 6 mm lengths at the posterior of the mandible. The long-cone peri-apical digital radiographs were taken immediately after loading and 24 months later. Age, gender, implant diameter, gingival biotype, and implant brands were the study variables, and the C/I ratio was the predictive factor. The mean MBL at 2 years was considered the study outcome.

Statistical analysis used: The Pearson correlation test was applied to assess the correlation between MBL and C/I.

Results: Seventy implants (36 Straumann and 34 SGS implants) were studied. A significant difference was observed in the mean MBL between the two implant brands (P < 0.001). Besides, a correlation was found between MBL and the C/I ratio (P = 0.002).

Conclusions: It seems that the C/I ratio is associated with an MBL increase in single short implants at the posterior of the mandible.