Dental implants are a replacement solution for missing teeth. They come in all shapes and sizes to suit each patient’s unique needs.
One of the most critical factors in the success of a dental implant is the quality and quantity of bone available. If you lack adequate bone volume for a traditional implant, alternative options like pterygoid implants can be considered.
In this article, we’ll discuss pterygoid implants and how they can be used for smile restoration.
What Are Pterygoid Implants?
Traditional dental implants are placed in a bone in the jaw known as the “alveolar bone”. In patients who lack bone quality and quantity due to bone resorption, pterygoid implants can be placed in the “pterygoid process”.
The pterygoid process is a bony landmark in the posterior region of the upper jaw. In most cases, there’s sufficient bone in this region to anchor pterygoid implants and successfully replace missing teeth.
The Benefits of Pterygoid Implants
Some of the most notable benefits of pterygoid implants include:
1. No Need for Bone Grafting
Since pterygoid implants use native bone, there’s no need for additional bone grafting procedures. Bone grafting adds various costs and healing time to your surgery, making pterygoid implants a more efficient option.
2. Avoid Sinus Lifting
When posterior implants are placed in the upper jaw, a “sinus lift” is often necessary. It involves augmenting the sinus to create room for the dental implant.
Pterygoid implants bypass the sinuses, avoiding the need for a sinus lift procedure.
3. Can Be Combined With Traditional Implants
Since pterygoid implants can be used in conjunction with traditional implants, there’s no need to decide between one or the other.
Traditional implants can be placed in areas of adequate bone volume, leaving pterygoid implants for specific cases where they’re needed.
Dental Implant Solutionz offers a variety of innovative surgical techniques for restoring your missing teeth with dental implants. If you’d like to learn more about dental implants, contact us to schedule a consultation!
