Short Implants - An Alternative to Bone Grafting?

Inclusion Criteria: * Provision of informed consent * Aged 20-75 years at enrolment * History of edentulism in the study area of at least four months * In need for 1-4 implants in either side of the posterior maxilla (premolar and molar region) * Neighboring tooth/teeth to the planned implant/s must have natural root(s) or implant supported restoration, with absence of pathology or excessive bone loss, as judged by the investigator * Presence of natural tooth/teeth, partial prosthesis and/or implants in the opposite jaw in contact with the planned crown/s * Deemed by the investigator to have a bone height between 5 and 7 mm and a bone width of a minimum of 6 mm * Deemed by the investigator as likely to present an initially stable implant situation Exclusion Criteria: * Unlikely to be able to comply with study procedures, as judged by the investigator * Earlier bone graft procedures in the study area * Uncontrolled pathologic processes in the oral cavity * Known or suspected current malignancy * History of radiation therapy in the head and neck region * History of chemotherapy within 5 years prior to surgery * Systemic or local disease or condition that could compromise post-operative healing and/or osseointegration * Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus * Corticosteroids, iv bisphosphonates or any other medication that could influence post-operative healing and/or osseointegration * Smoking more than 10 cigarettes/day * Bruxism * Present alcohol and/or drug abuse * Involvement i…