Short Dental Implants (5 mm) Versus Long Dental Implants (10 mm)

34 patients requiring an implant to replace an upper missing tooth in the premolar or 1st molar area with a bone crest height from 5 to 8 mm will be recruited for this trial. Patients will be randomized to either the test (5-mm implant) or control group (10-mm implant) using a computer-generated randomization list . 17 patients will receive a sinus lift procedure, bone graft, and 10 mm implant while the other 17 patients will receive a 5 mm short implant.

Inclusion criteria

• Age 20-70 years at enrollment
• Systemically healthy patients
• Full-mouth plaque score and full-mouth bleeding score ≤ 30% (measured at four sites per tooth)
• In need of one premolar or 1st molar dental implant in the maxillary area
• Neighboring teeth to the planned implant must have natural root(s) or implant supported restoration.
• 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 as likely to present an initially stable implant situation
• Residual bone height under the maxillary sinus between 5 to 7 mm and a width of at least 7 mm, as measured on cone beam computer tomography (CBCT) scans.

Exclusion criteria

• Unlikely to be able to comply with study procedures
• Uncontrolled pathologic processes in the oral cavity
• History of head and neck 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 HbA1c >8
• Taking corticosteroids, IV bisphosphonates, or any other medication that could influence post-operative healing and/or osseointegration
• Smokes more than 10 cigarettes/day
• Bruxer
• Present alcohol and/or drug abuser
• Pregnant, unsure pregnancy status, or lactating females (self-reported)