title: Anatomical and radiological approach to pterygoid implants: a cross-sectional study of 202 cone beam computed tomography examinations.
abstract: The aim of this study was to define the three-dimensional angulation of the pterygomaxillary corridor in which pterygoid implants should ideally be placed. A secondary objective was to study the bone density in the tuberosity area and pterygoid plate. Two hundred and two cone beam computed tomography files of atrophic posterior maxillae were evaluated. Implant placement was guided by the individual anatomy of each patient. The mean implant angulation was 74.19±3.13° in the anteroposterior axis and 81.09±2.65° in the buccopalatal axis, relative to the Frankfort plane. Density in the tuberosity area ranged from 285.8 to 329.1DV units and density in the pterygoid plate area from 602.9 to 661.2DV units, with a 95% confidence interval. The density in the pterygoid area was 139.2% greater than in the tuberosity zone. Implant placement should be guided by the individual anatomy of each patient. Statistically significant differences were found between the tuberosity and pterygoid plate in terms of bone density. Based on the results of this study, an implant of at least 15mm long should be used in order to take advantage of the quantity and quality of the bone in this region.
authors.affiliation: International University of Catalonia, St. Cugat del Valles, Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: rodriguez@borgbcn.com.
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
authors.affiliation: International University of Catalonia, St. Cugat del Valles, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lucas-Taulé
authors.affiliation: International University of Catalonia, St. Cugat del Valles, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Elnayef
authors.affiliation: International University of Catalonia, St. Cugat del Valles, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Altuna
authors.affiliation: International University of Catalonia, St. Cugat del Valles, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gargallo-Albiol
authors.affiliation: Valencia University, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Peñarrocha Diago
authors.affiliation: International University of Catalonia, St. Cugat del Valles, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hernandez-Alfaro
mesh_terms: D001284:Atrophy; D015519:Bone Density; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015921:Dental Implants; D006801:Humans; D056739:Pterygopalatine Fossa / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants
keywords: CBCT; atrophic maxilla; density; pterygoid implant; tilted implant; tuberosity