PURPOSE: To present the long-term results for screw-type implants consecutively placed in the pterygomaxillary-pyramidal region in the treatment of patients with posterior maxillary edentulism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred fifty-two implants were inserted in 92 partially edentulous patients using cylindric osteotomes as bone-site formers, thus minimizing the use of drills in the bone preparation. RESULTS: The 152 implants placed were loaded for an average of 89.7+/-30.7 months. There were a total of 8 failures; 6 took place between implant placement and prosthesis delivery (early failures), and 2 failed in following functional loading. The overall survival rate was 94.7%. DISCUSSION: Cylindric osteotomes allow the surgeon to accurately place implants. The use of surgical drilling was minimized, resulting in lowered surgical risk and diminished bone loss. CONCLUSION: Implant placement in the posterior pterygomaxillary region using cylindric osteotomes for osteotomy preparation resulted in an implant survival rate of 94.7%.
PURPOSE: To present the long-term results for screw-type implants consecutively placed in the pterygomaxillary-pyramidal region in the treatment of patients with posterior maxillary edentulism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred fifty-two implants were inserted in 92 partially edentulouspatients using cylindric osteotomes as bone-site formers, thus minimizing the use of drills in the bone preparation. RESULTS: The 152 implants placed were loaded for an average of 89.7+/-30.7 months. There were a total of 8 failures; 6 took place between implant placement and prosthesis delivery (early failures), and 2 failed in following functional loading. The overall survival rate was 94.7%. DISCUSSION: Cylindric osteotomes allow the surgeon to accurately place implants. The use of surgical drilling was minimized, resulting in lowered surgical risk and diminished bone loss. CONCLUSION: Implant placement in the posterior pterygomaxillary region using cylindric osteotomes for osteotomy preparation resulted in an implant survival rate of 94.7%.