In a perfect world, all patients would have sufficient bone tissue for conventional dental implants. Unfortunately, we’re not living in a perfect world, and many circumstances can lead to severe bone loss in the mouth.
What Causes Bone Loss?
Bone loss can occur due to tooth extractions, periodontal disease, or metabolic bone diseases. If you’ve had a tooth extracted more than a year ago, the bone that was holding the tooth in place is slowly resorbing.
The placement and stability of dental implants rely on adequate bone volume in the jaw. Bone loss can complicate the process, warranting the use of bone outside the mouth to anchor an implant.
What Are Pterygoid Implants?
Pterygoid implants are the solution for patients with missing teeth and severe bone loss. These implants are placed in the pterygoid plates and can be restored with dental crowns, implant-supported bridges, or overdentures.
Some of the advantages that pterygoid implants offer over conventional implants are:
- Avoiding sinus augmentation
Conventional implants placed in the upper jaw often require a sinus lift to create room for the implant. Pterygoid implants bypass the sinuses and may require fewer steps to complete the procedure.
- No need for bone grafts
Pterygoid implants don’t require bone grafting, unlike most conventional implants. This is due to the presence of adequate bone volume in the pterygoid plates.
- High success rate
Due to the high density of the bone in the pterygoid plates, the pterygoid implant has a great success rate when performed by a skilled surgeon.
At Dental Implant Solutionz, our surgeons are skilled in placing pterygoid implants and have the expertise to restore your bite. If you’re looking to replace missing teeth after experiencing bone loss in the jaw, contact us to schedule an appointment!
