Assessment of the Survival Rate of Short Dental Implants in Medically Compromised Patients.

AIM:To assess the survival rate of short dental implants in medically compromised patients. MATERIALS AND METHOD:This follow-up study was conducted on 342 medically compromised patients of both genders (580 dental implants). The failure rate of dental implants was assessed. RESULTS:There were 142 diabetes mellitus patients with 254 dental implants, 108 patients with hypertension with 190 dental implants, 26 patients with mental disabilities with 40 dental implants, 20 oral cancer patients with 36 dental implants, and 46 osteomyelitis subjects with 60 dental implants. There were 60 (10.5%) short dental implant (SDI) failures of which a maximum of 25 (22.7%) were seen with 4 mm diameter. Maximum failure was seen with osteomyelitis patients 8 (13.3%) followed by diabetes mellitus 32 (12.5%). Out of 270 dental implants in 130 control patients, implant failure was seen in 11 (4.07%). There was a significant (p < 0.05) bone loss on follow-up at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years. CONCLUSION:Medically compromised patients are more prone to dental implant failure as compared to healthy subjects. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE:Since medically compromised patients are prone for implant failure, careful selection of cases is necessary.