SHORT IMPLANTS AND THEIR INDICATIONS IN COMPARISON TO OTHER SYSTEMS: LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

This article aimed to analyze clinical guidelines and compare the performance of short implants in relation to occasional implants and other implant systems used in oral rehabilitation. The research aimed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and predictability of short implants in regions with reduced alveolar bone height, considering their application as a less invasive alternative to traditional reconstructive procedures. This is a systematic literature review, developed in the format of a scientific article, with searches conducted in the PubMed, Virtual Health Library, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Studies published between 2021 and 2026, in Portuguese and English, related to the clinical use of short implants were included. After applying the eligibility criteria, 18 studies were selected, representing the final sample of the review. The results demonstrated that short implants present survival and clinical success rates similar to conventional implants, in addition to providing lower surgical morbidity, reduced treatment time, and less need for bone grafts. In conclusion, short implants represent a safe and effective therapeutic alternative in oral rehabilitation, with the choice of implanted system depending on anatomical and biomechanical conditions, as well as appropriate individualized clinical planning.