Who Is a Candidate for Pterygoid Implants?
Pterygoid implants are not for everyone. Here is who qualifies and who does not.
Pterygoid implants are designed for a specific group of patients. Here are the candidacy factors.
- Good candidates have:
- Severe bone loss in the upper back jaw (molar/premolar area)
- Insufficient bone height for regular implants without a sinus lift
- A desire to avoid sinus lift or bone grafting procedures
- Healthy pterygoid bone (confirmed by CT scan)
- Good overall health for implant surgery
- Need for full arch or multiple implant restorations
- Less suitable candidates:
- Limited mouth opening (trismus) β the surgeon needs access to the back of the jaw
- Active sinus disease or infection
- History of certain surgeries in that area
- Severe uncontrolled medical conditions
- Heavy smokers (higher complication risk)
Evaluation for Pterygoid Implants
- If you are being evaluated, your surgeon will:
- Take a 3D CT scan to measure the pterygoid bone density and position
- Assess your mouth opening (can you open wide enough?)
- Review your medical history
- Discuss your treatment goals
How They Compare to Alternatives
- Versus sinus lift + regular implants: Pterygoid implants avoid the need for a separate sinus surgery, are faster overall, and use naturally dense bone
- Versus zygomatic implants: Pterygoid implants are shorter and less invasive than zygomatic implants, but they only work in the back of the upper jaw
- Versus no treatment: For patients with posterior bone loss who cannot or do not want grafting, pterygoid implants offer a path to fixed implant-supported teeth