What Are Pterygoid Dental Implants, and Who Is a Good Candidate?
Dental implants are an excellent and reliable way for patients to replace missing teeth. However, they are not for everyone. Some patients with issues such as significant jawbone loss may be considering other options, including dentures and bridges. Fortunately, at Dr. Edward Liu Sedation and Implant Dentistry, patients can educate themselves further on solutions such as pterygoid dental implants that are used in specific situations.
What is a pterygoid dental implant?
Dr. Liu describes the pterygoid dental implant as a unique type and implant technique designed for patients with less bone structure. The success rate of these dental implants for those with moderate bone loss is much higher than with traditional implants. Pterygoid implants are much longer and larger and are used in the upper molar region. They are inserted far back in the mouth, typically where wisdom teeth once remained. They are placed at a specific angle, which allows them to be placed in places where a lack of jawbone may cause a patient to be a poor candidate for conventional implants. With a thorough evaluation and a series of dental x-rays, our team can determine if pterygoid dental implants are appropriate for a patient. Additionally, other implant types, such as zygoma implants, may be used along with pterygoid implants.
Clinical Case 01
- Age: 57
- ASA 2: No medications taken. Healthy Female Terminal Dentition with failing dentition due to caries & extractions.
- Patient request: To give her a smile back!
- Tx Plan: Extraction of remaining teeth and place Anterior implants and single zygo and pterygoids
- Tx performed: placed two anterior implant and two Unilateral zygo and one pterygoid (right)
- Prosthesis: upper and lower fix implant bridge with Zr dentures.
Clinical Case 02
- Age: 45
- ASA 1: No drug allergy or medications. Patient came to see us because his previous dentist placed lower dental implants but unable to finish the
- Prosthesis: We successfully placed a new bridge and he is asking us to make his upper jaw with permanent implant bridge.
- Tx Plan: Place two unilateral zygo and pterygoid implant with two transnasal (anterior) to avoid quad zygos. This allow us to save bone to receive superior zygo if there is a need.
- Prosthesis: Ti bar with Zr bridge to achieve a fixed permanent bridge
Why should I consider a pterygoid dental implant?
Implants such as this are used in cases where patients need to replace missing teeth but might not be appropriate candidates for traditional dental implants. During an evaluation, our team can assess the patient’s current situation and make recommendations based on this information. These implants are best for those who might otherwise not be able to have implants placed.
Request an appointment at Dr. Edward Liu Sedation and Implant Dentistry to discuss pterygoid implant placement and restoration
Our team provides Holt, MI, area patients with solutions for their smiles, even when significant bone loss has occurred. If you live in or around the area and want to speak to our professionals about tooth replacement options that are right for you, connect with Dr. Edward Liu and his team by calling (517) 777-8878. Our dental practice is conveniently located at 2123 Aurelius Road.
Technique and Instruments of Pterygoid
- Osteotome (Norris Medical) No 1 (2mm) and no 2 (3mm).
- Drills (Just no 1).
- The average length of the implant is 16-20mm. Same trajectory, your drill.
- Long driver (45mm) to place the implant and test torque value should be around 35-45cm.
- AP position: 3rd molars entry. Feel for the hamular notch. Anterior 10mm. 30 degrees inward.
- Remember to have proper Medial-lateral angulation to engage into the PterygoMaxillary complex.
- Blind osteotome and drilling for insertion and hear the audible difference into dense type 1 bone.
