Management of a Failed Implant in an Atrophic Mandible: A Case Report, Literature Review & Clinical Considerations For General Practitioners

Dental implants are considered the gold standard for replacing missing teeth; however, implant placement is often limited by inadequate alveolar bone height or proximity to vital anatomical structures such as the maxillary sinus and inferior alveolar nerve. Although procedures such as sinus augmentation and vertical ridge augmentation can facilitate implant placement, they are invasive, technique-sensitive, costly, and may not be suitable for all patients. Furthermore, vertical ridge augmentation typically achieves only limited bone gain.

Short dental implants, defined as implants measuring 4–8 mm in length, have emerged as a predictable, minimally invasive alternative for patients with reduced bone height. Current evidence suggests that implant diameter has a greater influence on stress distribution and long-term success than implant length, making short, wider implants a reliable treatment option.

This case report describes the successful placement of a short dental implant in a patient with a failed long-term conventional implant. The case highlights clinical decision-making, surgical management while avoiding the need for extensive bone augmentation procedures. The increasing availability of short implants across multiple implant systems allows clinicians to incorporate this treatment modality without changing their preferred implant system. Short dental implants represent a cost-effective, less invasive, and clinically predictable solution for managing anatomically challenging implant cases while reducing patient morbidity and treatment time.