Short Dental Implants as Strategic Support for Removable Partial Dentures in Mandibular Free‐End Situations: A 3‐Year Prospective Cohort Study

ABSTRACT Objectives This study aimed to assess the mid‐term clinical performance of short implants as strategic support for mandibular removable partial dentures (RPDs) with free‐end situations. Methods Subjects wearing lower RPDs in Kennedy Class I situations received two supporting posterior implants. After the healing phase, all participants received ball abutments. The clinical data recorded at implantation and 36 months included probing depth, bleeding on probing, presence of plaque, and a radiological evaluation. For descriptive analyses, mean values and standard deviations (SD) were calculated. Linear mixed‐effects models with patient as a random effect were applied ( α = 0.05), correcting for multiple comparisons, to analyze the evolution of peri‐implant parameters. Results Twenty‐four patients with a mean age 70.8 years (SD 8.0) with bilateral mandibular free‐end situations received 48 short dental implants (6 mm length). One implant failure was reported, resulting in a 97.9% survival rate [95% CI: 93.9–100] over a mean follow‐up of 4.2 years (SD 1.1). Implant success (ICOI Criteria) was 80.1% [95% CI: 66.9–93.3]. Probing depths remained stable from baseline to 36‐month follow‐up: 2.55 mm (SD 1.19) vs. 2.58 mm (SD 1.19), p > 0.05. Mean marginal bone loss was 1.08 mm. Plaque accumulation increased significantly ( p < 0.001). Keratinized mucosa was present at all sites at the 3‐year follow‐up. Conclusions Strategic placement of 6 mm short dental implants represents a viable treatment option for converting Kennedy Class I RPDs into implant‐assisted RPDs, with high survival rates and stable peri‐implant parameters in the 3‐year follow‐up.