Pterygoid Implant as Abutment of Partial Fixed Dental Prosthesis

Anterior-Fixed-Partial-Denture-on-a-Patient-with-Cleft-Lip-and-Palate

Supporting Patients with Defective Dental Bridges

by Nicholas Miller, DMD, MS, FACP, Board Certified Prosthodontist | Georgia Prosthodontics

June 26, 2023

Case Summary

Luis, a 52-year-old patient, came to us seeking replacement of a failing bridge #1-5. He had multiple previous dental restorations that had failed. Luis had become desperate to find a solution that would allow him to confidence to eat and speak properly as well as improve his comfort and appearance. He had maxillary sinus pneumatization and did not want to have a graft.

This challenging scenario was resolved by using some of the latest prosthodontic advancements:

Utilization of pterygoid implants
Digital and castless workflow
Photogrammetry extraoral implant impressions
Design and manufacturing of monolithic zirconia component-less prostheses

Diagnosis

Luis’s diagnosis included a complete prosthodontic evaluation involving CBCT scan, x-rays, photographic analysis, Intraoral Optical scanning, and a full oral examination. Luis’s was diagnosed as having a defective long-span bridge and failing abutment tooth #5 with pneumatization of his right maxillary sinus, making him an excellent candidate for a pterygoid implant.

Patients-with-Defective-Dental-Bridges-at-Georgia-Prosthodontics

Before-Xrays-Patient-with-defective-long-span-bridge

Dental-Patient-with-defective-long-span-bridge

Xray-Case-of-Patient-with-defective-long-span-bridge

Luis’s treatment sequence included

Extraction of teeth #1 and 5 and the immediate placement of implants in positions: 1, 4, and 5.
Soft tissue contouring using a provisional fixed prosthesis.
Digital impression using photogrammetry technology.
Delivery of a monolithic zirconia implant supported fixed partial denture prosthesis utilizing a pterygoid implant and a component less abutment connection.

Digital-impression-using-photogrammetry-technology.

Treatment Outcome

The patient was pleased with the treatment outcome. During the procedure, minimal occlusal adjustments restricted to lateral movements were performed. Luis can finally eat and speak with confidence and comfort.

This case demonstrates the use of recent technological advances in the field of implant prosthodontics that allows for expedited treatment and improved treatment outcomes for patient and providers.

If you have comments or questions about Luis’s case, please email me at: smileagain@gaprostho.com

Before-Patient-with-defective-long-span-bridge-Georgia-Prosthodontics

Before-Case-of-Patient-with-defective-long-span-bridge

As a Prosthodontist, I often coordinate with a patient’s general dentist and other dental specialists that they’ve seen.
If you have a patient in a similar situation and would like to team up for either the surgical or surgical and restorative planning of a similar case we would be happy to assist you.

Do you have a patient with a similar situation?

There are many ways we can help each other by teaming up on complex cases and by sharing knowledge and experience. With your reputation for quality dental care, and our experience with restorative treatments, we can work together for better outcome of our therapies.

Let us know, we want to help!

Join our monthly seminars and discussions to learn more about complex cases.