Short implants in deficient posterior jaws: current knowledge.

In clinical situations where bone is severely resorbed and implant-supported prostheses indicated, the strategy may be oriented either towards reconstructive surgery and placement of implants in regenerated bone volume and height or use of short implants. Improvements in surgical technique, surface texture and geometry of components as well as a better understanding of the biomechanics of short implants increased their reliability. Despite unfavorable prosthetic parameters, long-term results in cases of good bone density, good control of occlusion and parafunctions are equal to longer implants.