Zygomatic and Pterygoid Implants

The posterior maxilla has been described as the most difficult and problematic intraoral area confronting the implant practitioner, requiring a maximum of ingenuity for the achievement of successful results. Solutions like sinus lifts often involve double site procedures and added bone grafting that involves a longer healing period, possibility of perforation of the sinus membrane along with the risk of infection. In such cases, when patients have severely atrophic maxilla and are unwilling or unable to undergo extensive bone grafting, various newer treatment modalities like zygomatic and pterygoid implants were introduced. Pterygoid and Zygoma implants provide a solution for a patient with a severely resorbed jaw bone with minimal surgical trauma and maximum oral function.