Editorial Type:
Article Category: Case Report
 | 
Online Publication Date: 13 Mar 2025

Full-Arch Treatment of Atrophic Edentulous Mandible Using Short Implants With Immediate Loading: Case Report

DDS, PhD,
DDS,
DDS,
DDS, MSc, PhD, and
DDS, MSc, PhD
Page Range: 67 – 73
DOI: 10.1563/aaid-joi-D-24-00104
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Full-arch implant rehabilitation in extremely atrophic edentulous mandibles is still challenging due to the high risk of fracture and the limited bone availability. The approach proposes using short implants with immediate loading for final prostheses as a treatment option, which offers shorter treatment times and fewer invasive procedures. A 66-year-old female patient with an edentulous mandible and severe alveolar bone resorption was treated with 4 short implants in the interforaminal area. The final hybrid metal-plastic full-arch lower prosthesis was delivered 3 days after the surgery, and the patient was instructed on cleaning methods and requested to maintain a soft diet for the first 2 postoperative months. After 6 months of follow-up, the patient experienced no problems; the prosthesis underwent a mechanical examination, each multiunit abutment’s peri-implant tissue was assessed, and implants presented no mobility, fibrointegration, or signs of failure. X-ray images demonstrated stable bone levels around implants. Also, it was observed that the integrity of the entire jaw was preserved, and no signs of fracture were observed.

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<sc>igure 1.</sc>
F igure 1.

(a) Pre-op orthopantomography with dot lines showing every view of CBCT measurement (b, c, d, e) from right to left of interforaminal area in mandible.


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<sc>igure 2.</sc>
F igure 2.

(a) Multifunctional guide positioned in lower jaw, (b) intraoral view of dentures designed for prosthetic planning, (c) frontal, (d) angled, (e) profile portraits of prosthetic plan.


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<sc>igure 3.</sc>
F igure 3.

Transurgical steps. (a) Incision design, (b) Mucoperiosteal Flap released, (c) implants placed between the interforaminal area, (d) Multiunit abutment screwed over the implants and flap closure.


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<sc>igure 4.</sc>
F igure 4.

Immediate post-op at delivery of prosthesis. (a) intraoral occlusal view of soft tissues and multiunit abutments with healing caps, (b) occlusal, (c, d, e) lateral both sides, frontal intraoral view, and (f) a portrait of the installed prosthesis.


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<sc>igure 5.</sc>
F igure 5.

Immediate post-op orthopantomography control.


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<sc>igure 6.</sc>
F igure 6.

Control at 6 months of follow-up. (a) intraoral occlusal view of soft tissues and multiunit abutments, (b) occlusal, (c, d, e) lateral both sides, frontal intraoral view, and (f) portrait of the installed prosthesis.


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<sc>igure 7.</sc>
F igure 7.

Orthopantomography at 6-month follow-up control.


Contributor Notes

Corresponding author, e-mail: earroyo.alexis@gmail.com
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