The use of pterygomaxillary implants in the partially edentulous patient: a preliminary report

One hundred eighty-seven implants were placed in the maxillary posterior areas of 44 partially edentulous patients (29 female; 15 male). The mean age was 62 years (range 36 to 82 years). Fifty-one of the 187 implants were placed in the pterygomaxillary area and further restored with fixed prostheses. The mean number of implants per prosthesis was 3.7 (range 1 to 6) for the maxillary posterior area. These 51 implants are the subject of this report. During stage II surgery and before loading, six implants were not osseointegrated and were removed. After a mean loading period of 12.6 months (range 1 to 63 months), one additional implant was lost. Seven of 51 implants were removed (13.7%). Failure rates according to implant size and bone quality were also analyzed. The average loss of marginal bone height was 1.3 mm on the mesial and 1.1 mm on the distal surfaces between 1 and 3 years of loading. This study demonstrates the possible and successful use of the pterygomaxillary site for implant placement.