Short Versus Standard Dental Implants: Clinical and Biomarker Outcomes

This study compares two types of dental implants, short implants (6 millimeters or less in length) and standard implants (longer than 8 millimeters), to evaluate their effect on the health of the gum and bone tissue surrounding the implant. Approximately 40 patients receiving a total of 80 dental implants will be followed. Researchers will assess clinical signs of gum health around the implants, measure specific protein levels (biomarkers) in the fluid surrounding the implants associated with gum disease. The goal of this study is to determine whether implant length affects the risk of inflammation or infection around dental implants, which may help guide treatment decisions in the future.

Inclusion Criteria: * Systemically healthy adults aged 18-70 years. * Presence of at least one short (≤6 mm) and/or standard (\>8 mm) dental implant in function for at least 2 years. * Patients presenting to the Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Inonu University, for routine dental examination. * For the peri-implant health group: absence of clinical signs of inflammation (redness, edema, or suppuration), absence of bleeding on probing (BOP), probing pocket depth (PPD) ≤5 mm, full-mouth BOP \10%, no radiographic evidence of pathological peri-implant bone loss, and no clinical implant mobility. Exclusion Criteria: * Age younger than 18 years or older than 70 years. * Presence of any systemic disease. * Immune system disorders or use of immunosuppressive medications. * Requirement for antibiotic prophylaxis before dental procedures. * Bisphosphonate therapy for osteoporosis. * Pregnancy or lactation. * Smoking. * Alcohol consumption. * Antibiotic treatment within the previous 6 months. * Continuous use of systemic medications.