Retrospective clinical evaluation of pterygoid implants: A patient study 6-96 months post-implantation

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the success of pterygoid implants in clinical patient examination and to prove that pterygoid implants are a suitable alternative for restoring chewing function with implants in the atrophied maxilla.

The instantaneous study was conducted in October 2023 - April 2024 at the KDK Karpavičius D.

Patients who had pterygoid implants inserted 6-96 months ago were invited for a follow-up examination and clinical-radiological oral examination. All subjects gave their written consent and were guaranteed anonymity. The 37 respondents of the research consisted of patients from 40 years old to patients 78 years old. During the study, a clinical and radiographic oral examination was performed to assess the support of 47 implants, restorations, probing depth, bleeding, plaque, recession, keratinized gingival volume, marginal bone loss, signs of periodontitis at other teeth/implants, as well as the time since implantation, age, gender, and smoking habits were also recorded.

No rejected pterygoid implants were identified. Thus, no implants were characterized by marginal bone loss or recession. It was found that smokers had poorer oral hygiene habits. Poorer hygiene led to bleeding gums at pterygoid implants, and it was also observed that older patients clean their teeth and implants less frequently and have more signs of periodontitis. Although there was no evidence of marginal bone loss, pockets were felt around the implants, which affected the thickness of the keratinized gingiva.

The success rate of pterygoid implants is very high, so these implants may be a good alternative for restoring the function of the atrophied maxilla. Poor oral hygiene habits, smoking, and age can affect the success of pterygoid implants.