Minimally Invasive Approach Based on Pterygoid and Short Implants for Rehabilitation of an Extremely Atrophic Maxilla: Case Report
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Published on: October 18, 2021
Alessandro Cucchi1, Elisabetta Vignudelli, Simonetta Franco
1*Resident in Surgical Sciences, Unit of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science (DIBINEM), Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. †MSc Student, Unit of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science (DIBINEM), Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. ‡Researcher in Maxillofacial Surgery, Unit of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Science (DIBINEM), Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Introduction:
Extremely atrophic maxillae can be considered the most important indication for three-dimensional maxillary reconstruction. Different bone-augmentation techniques have been suggested to accomplish this. This article illustrates a minimally invasive approach to rehabilitation of the extremely atrophic maxilla.
Material And Methods:
A 63-year-old male patient was referred for restoration of his totally edentulous maxilla with a fixed full-arch implant-prosthetic rehabilitation. Four short implants in the premaxillary region and 2 longer implants in the pterygomaxillary regions were inserted with piezoelectric implant site preparation.
Discussion:
At the 1-year follow-up appointment, no clinical or radiographic changes in the soft-tissue contours or crestal bone levels were observed.
Conclusion:
This surgical approach, based on the combination of short implants in the premaxillary regions and pterygoid implants in the pterygomaxillary regions, represents a way to shorten treatment timing, minimize the risk of surgical complications, and reduce patient discomfort and costs.
