Pterygoid Implant
Pronunciation: TER-ih-goyd
A long dental implant placed at an angle through the tuberosity into the pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone, used to restore the edentulous posterior maxilla without sinus augmentation.
Full Definition
Pterygoid implants (also called tuberopterygoid or pyramidal implants) are angulated implants that engage the dense cortical bone of the pterygoid plates and/or the pyramidal process of the palatine bone, providing an alternative to sinus lift procedures in severely resorbed posterior maxillae. Editors should ensure that anatomical landmarks cited — pterygoid plates, pterygomaxillary fissure, pyramidal process — are named accurately and consistently. This technique is described in a growing body of literature but remains a specialist procedure; editorial sensitivity to anatomical terminology is essential. The term should not be abbreviated without prior definition in a document.
Usage
Usage note: The silent 'p' in 'pterygoid' is a frequent misspelling target. Confirm spelling in all manuscripts and ensure the anatomical region engaged is specified.
In Context
- "Two pterygoid implants were placed bilaterally to anchor the full-arch maxillary prosthesis without the need for posterior sinus augmentation." — Full-arch rehabilitation case report
- "The authors must confirm the anatomical insertion point distinguishing a pterygoid implant from a standard posterior maxillary implant." — Peer review comment