Search

Aim To gain further insights and resolve conflicting results in the literature regarding prevalence, predominant location and morphologic variability of maxillary sinus septa. Material and Methods Electronic and hand searching of English literature identified 33 investigations published from 1995 to 2011. Septa were defined as at least 2–4 mm in height. Results Septa were present in 28.4% of 8923 sinuses investigated (95% confidence interval: 24.3–32.5%). Prevalence was significantly higher in atrophic sinuses compared with dentate maxillae (p

Pommer B, Frantal S, Willer J, Posch M, Watzek G, Tepper G. Impact of dental implant length on early failure rates: a meta-analysis of observational studies. J Clin Periodontol 2011; 38: 856–863. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-051X.2011.01750.x. Abstract Aim: To test the null hypothesis of no difference in failure rates of short (minimum length: 7 mm) and longer dental implants (10 mm), a meta-analysis was performed on prospective observational trials. Materials and Methods: A systematic electronic and hand search was performed to identify eligible studies. Having additional data supplied by the authors, 54 publications were included (19,083 implants). Results: In case of mandibular implants, the null hypothesis of no impact of reduced implant length on failure within the first year of prosthetic loading could not be rejected. A significant impact of implant length could be substantiated for short machined implants in the anterior [odds ratio (OR) 5.4] and posterior maxilla (OR 3.4), while short rough-surfaced implants demonstrated increased failure rates in the anterior maxillary sites. No influence of implant diameter and denture type on the failure rate of short implants could be revealed. Conclusion: In areas of reduced alveolar bone height the use of short dental implants may reduce the need for invasive bone augmentation procedures.

To test the null hypothesis of no difference in failure rates of short (minimum length: 7 mm) and longer dental implants (≥ 10 mm), a meta-analysis was performed on prospective observational trials.A systematic electronic and hand search was performed to identify eligible studies. Having additional data supplied by the authors, 54 publications were included (19,083 implants).In case of mandibular implants, the null hypothesis of no impact of reduced implant length on failure within the first year of prosthetic loading could not be rejected. A significant impact of implant length could be substantiated for short machined implants in the anterior [odds ratio (OR) 5.4] and posterior maxilla (OR 3.4), while short rough-surfaced implants demonstrated increased failure rates in the anterior maxillary sites. No influence of implant diameter and denture type on the failure rate of short implants could be revealed.In areas of reduced alveolar bone height the use of short dental implants may reduce the need for invasive bone augmentation procedures.