Pterygoid Implant

A specialised long implant anchored in the pterygoid region at the very back of the upper jaw, used to support fixed restorations where the posterior bone is too thin for conventional implants. It can provide rear support for a full-arch bridge while often avoiding sinus grafting. Because of the anatomy involved it requires detailed CBCT planning and experienced surgical handling, both of which the clinic provides.

A pterygoid implant is a longer implant placed at an angle to engage the dense bone of the pterygoid region behind the maxillary sinus, at the rear of the upper jaw. This area offers solid anchorage even when the bone of the back upper jaw has resorbed, which is exactly the situation that often makes conventional posterior implants difficult. By reaching this stable bone, a pterygoid implant can provide reliable rear support for a fixed bridge — frequently as part of a full-arch rehabilitation — and can sometimes avoid the need for sinus augmentation. The technique is demanding because of the surrounding anatomy, so it depends on precise three-dimensional planning and surgical experience. At Stomatologia na Podzamczu the case is worked up from CBCT imaging so the trajectory and length are planned in advance, and the procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic by an implantology specialist. Like other implants, the pterygoid fixture is left to integrate with bone before it is loaded with the prosthetic restoration. It is most relevant to patients who need fixed teeth in a severely resorbed upper jaw and want to minimise grafting, and it is typically planned alongside other implants rather than in isolation. Suitability is determined by the CBCT assessment and overall health review, and the prosthetic component and visit schedule are set out in the treatment plan.