Institute for Facial Esthetics

Prosthodontic Insights Newsletter

May 2000 Volume 13, Number 1

Analysis of 356 Pterygomaxillary Implants in
Edentulous Arches for Fixed Prosthesis Anchorage
TJ Balshi, GJ Wolfinger, SF Balshi II

One thousand eight hundred seventeen implants were placed in the completely edentulous maxillae of 189 patients (122 female; 67 male). The patients’ mean age was 60 years (range 28 to 91 years). Three hundred fifty-six of the 1,817 implants were placed in the pterygomaxillary area and all patients were restored with complete arch fixed detachable prostheses. The mean number of implants per maxillary prosthesis was 9.0 (range 6 to 15). During stage II surgery and before loading, 41 pterygomaxillary implants (11.5%) were not osseointegrated and were removed. After a mean loading period of 4.68 years (range 0.06 to 9.2 years), 1 additional pterygomaxillary implant was lost. Altogether, 42 of 356 pterygomaxillary implants (11.8%) were removed. Survival rates according to implant size, bone quality, and tooth position were also recorded. This study illustrates a cumulative survival rate of 88.2% after an average functional period of 4.68 years for pterygomaxillary site implant placement in edentulous maxillary arches.

The 88.2% cumulative survival rate of pterygomaxillary implants compares favorably with implants used in other areas of the maxilla, despite the compromised quality of bone and increased potential for force exerted on implants placed in the posterior maxilla. Implants placed in the pterygomaxillary region provide posterior bone support without sinus augmentation or supplemental grafting.

Pterygomaxillary implants are beneficial in restoring the entire maxillary arch with a prosthesis that is biomechanically stable and free of cantilevered pontics.

Int J Oral Maxillofacial Implants 1999;14:398-406

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