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- Ashok Nagar, Vijayawada
For patients with severe upper-jaw bone loss, conventional dental implants are often not feasible without extensive grafting. In such advanced situations, zygomatic implants offer a powerful solution by anchoring into the zygoma (cheekbone) and helping patients regain fixed teeth even when they have been told elsewhere that implants are not possible.
In fact, most of the cases that we get are rejected elsewhere for lack of bone, and one should remember that in our face there are many bones along with the jaw bones, and when the jaw bone is resorbed or lost because of an infection, we can use other bones like the nasal floor, pterygoids, zygomatic bone (the cheek bone).
Dr. E. Surendranath is well-versed in all types of implantology and has placed more than 1,000 pterygoid implants in particular.
At YOUR DENTIST Advanced Dental & Maxillo-Facial Centre, Vijayawada, complex implant treatments are performed by experienced implant surgeon Dr. E. Surendranath, with clinical support from Dr. E. Bhavya, offering reliable solutions for challenging cases.
Pterygoid dental implants are long implants placed in the posterior upper jaw, engaging the dense pterygoid plate of the sphenoid bone. This region provides strong cortical support, making it possible to achieve stable implant fixation even in cases of significant bone loss.
Unlike conventional implants that require sufficient bone in the upper jaw or sinus lift procedures, pterygoid implants bypass the sinus entirely and utilize existing strong bone structures.
Thus, pterygoid implants avoid bone grafting and the multiple surgeries required in sinus lifts. Instead, the pterygoid implant is a simple yet technical option that eliminates the need for multiple visits and invasive surgeries, such as lateral sinus lifts.
At YOUR DENTIST Vijayawada, this technique is commonly used in full-mouth rehabilitation and advanced implant cases where traditional methods are not suitable. In fact, we perform more sectional rehabilitations than full-mouth cases, as these patients are often rejected elsewhere. The upper back region of the jaw is where tooth loss typically occurs, and it is also where the majority of dentists reject the case. However, we rehabilitate these cases successfully with pterygoid implants.
Pterygoid implants may be recommended for patients who:
Have severe bone loss in the upper back jaw and need rehabilitation of the posterior maxilla where the chewing teeth are completely gone.
Have been advised to undergo sinus lift surgery.
Are not eligible for conventional implants.
Have loose dentures or poor denture stability.
Have long-term missing teeth with bone resorption.
Require full-mouth implant rehabilitation.
This treatment is especially useful for patients seeking fixed teeth without undergoing multiple surgical procedures.
Avoids sinus lift surgery No bone grafting required in most cases Utilizes strong cortical bone for stability Suitable for complex and advanced cases, especially in cases of severe bone loss Immediate or early loading possible Reduces overall treatment time as immediate loading is feasible
These implants provide a predictable solution for restoring function in challenging upper jaw conditions.
At YOUR DENTIST Advanced Dental & Maxillo-Facial Centre, Vijayawada, the procedure involves:
Clinical Examination
Detailed evaluation by Dr. E. Surendranath and the implant team.
CBCT 3D Imaging
Assessment of sinus anatomy, bone availability, and the pterygoid region. In many Indian populations, sinuses are highly pneumatized due to the Australoid population. Bone volume is generally better in the African population than in the Asian population.
Digital Implant Planning
Precise angulation planning (typically 45–60°) to engage cortical bone. The pterygoid bone is generally situated at a very steep angle from the maxilla (upper jaw bone). To reach the pterygoid, we need to cross the jawbone at a specific angle, which can be determined by proper planning even before surgery.
Implant Placement Surgery
Implants are placed in the posterior maxilla, extending into the pterygoid plate using advanced surgical techniques. Often, they cross the maxillary sinus, making this a technique-sensitive procedure.
Stability Assessment
Primary stability is achieved from dense bone support, as the pterygoid is a cortical bone, with density 2 to 3 times higher than the posterior jawbone.
Temporary Teeth Placement
In many cases, fixed temporary teeth are provided within a short time. With advanced laboratories and materials like graphene, we can place permanent teeth within a week.
Final Prosthetic Restoration
Permanent zirconia or ceramic teeth are placed after healing.
At YOUR DENTIST Advanced Dental & Maxillo-Facial Centre in Vijayawada, advanced systems are used for precision and safety:
These technologies ensure accurate implant placement and long-term success.
Pterygoid implants are often used as part of advanced treatment plans, such as:
These combinations help eliminate cantilever stress and improve prosthetic stability. However, even in All-on-4 with proper planning, we know that tilting the posterior implants at an angulation of more than 30 degrees can sustain the cantilever forces.
Recovery after pterygoid implant surgery is generally smooth:
Post-treatment care plays an important role in long-term success:
Consistent care helps maintain implant stability.
Pterygoid implants are safe in experienced hands, but possible risks include:
At YOUR DENTIST, careful planning helps minimize these risks.
Patients choose YOUR DENTIST Advanced Dental & Maxillo-Facial Centre because of:
Experience in advanced implant techniques
Expertise in complex bone loss cases. To tell you the truth, we mostly get the cases that were rejected elsewhere due to a lack of bone.
Digital planning and guided precision; we are pioneers in computer-guided implant surgery.
In-house dental lab support
Modern surgical infrastructure, including clean minor OTs
Personalized treatment approach
Led by Dr. E. Surendranath with support from Dr. E. Bhavya, the clinic focuses on predictable outcomes.
Pterygoid implants help patients achieve:
Fixed teeth instead of removable dentures
Improved chewing efficiency
Better speech and comfort
Enhanced facial support
Increased confidence, and also a stimulant to the jawbone. After implant surgery, the jawbone will not resorb at all.
Patients regain both function and aesthetics even in complex cases.
In many cases, they are preferred as they avoid sinus surgery and reduce treatment time, and also the implant is engaged to a more stable cortical bone rather than a cancellous bone like the maxilla.
With proper care, they can last many years. The life expectancy of these implants is longer because they typically engage two bones, one the jawbone and 2 the pterygoid bone.
The surgery is performed under anesthesia, and discomfort is usually minimal. And with our advanced keyhole implant placement, it’s even easier for the patient.
The cost varies depending on the complexity and prosthetic requirements. It generally costs around ₹20,000 per implant. For a more premium implant brand like Straumann, the cost is around ₹35,000 per implant.
