Retrospective study of a serie of pterygoid implants.

BACKGROUND: This article aspires to show that pterygoid implants are a magnificent and viable alternative to other posterior implants of the maxilla, especially in cases of atrophy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study is based on a retrospective analysis of pterygoid implant data from 2003 to 2023, recollecting the following variables: year of placement, location, shape of the implant, diameter of the implant, length of the implant, torque of the implant, whether or not it was post-extraction, whether or not there was immediate loading, whether or not smoking was present (smoking habit), the brand of the implant and the success/survival or failure/non survival of the implant.

RESULTS: The total of 178 pterygoid implants placed in the 113 patients eligible for the study was analysed by subgroups, with percentage of global success of 98.3% (3 failures).

CONCLUSIONS: Pterygoid implants offer biomechanical and success/survival characteristics similar or superior to the so-called conventional implants and avoid a series of surgical and prosthodontic procedures more difficult than the ones required by other implants in many occasions.