Comparison of clinical and radiographic parameters around short (6 to 8mm in length) and long (11mm in length) dental implants placed in patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus: 3-year follow-up results

ObjectiveTo compare the clinical and radiographic parameters aroundshort (6 to 8mm in length) and long (11mm in length) dental implants placed in patients with and withouttype 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Material and MethodsForty-five male patients with T2DM (Group-1) and 42 male non-diabetic controls (Group-2) who had undergone implant therapy in the posterior mandible were included. Depending upon the length of the implant, patients were divided into two subgroups: (a) patients with short implants (6-8mm long) and (b) patients with long implants (11mm long). Peri-implant plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD) and crestal bone loss (CBL) were measured at 18 and 36months of follow-up in both groups. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels were measured at baseline and after 18 and 36months of follow-up in both groups. P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. ResultsThe mean age of patients in groups 1 and 2 was 42.5 and 40.6years, respectively. The mean HbA1c levels at baseline among patients in groups 1 and 2 were 7.7% and 4.5%, respectively. At 18 and 36months of follow-up, the mean HbA1c levels among patients in groups 1 and 2 were 6.6% and 4.5% and 6.5% and 4.4%, respectively. The mean duration of T2DM among patients that received short and long implants was 4.3years and 4.1years, respectively. There was no significant difference in PI, BOP, PD and CBL around implants placed in both groups at 18 and 36months of follow-up. Success rate of shortand long dental implants was 100% in both groups. ConclusionShort implants can demonstrate clinical and radiographic stability in a manner similar to conventional long implants in patients with and without T2DM. The role of oral hygiene and glycemic maintenance in this scenario cannot be disregarded.