Long implants placed through the back of the upper jaw and anchored in the pterygoid bone — a naturally dense structure that doesn't atrophy. Often combined with zygomatic implants for full upper-arch restoration. Available at Suncoast in Goderich.
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The back of the upper jaw is where conventional implants run into the most trouble — the sinus floor is right above, the bone is often thin, and bone grafts to that area don't always succeed. Pterygoid implants anchor below the sinus and behind the upper jaw entirely, in dense bone that's been there your whole life.
The pterygoid bone is part of the sphenoid, located at the back of the upper jaw where it meets the skull base. It's naturally dense, doesn't atrophy when teeth are lost (unlike the alveolar ridge), and provides reliable long-term anchoring for implants — but reaching it requires advanced surgical training and precise angle control.
Pterygoid implants are typically 15 to 20 millimeters long, placed at a steep angle through the back of the maxilla into the pterygoid bone behind. They're rarely used alone — most pterygoid cases are part of a hybrid full-arch restoration where pterygoid implants anchor the back, conventional implants or zygomatic implants anchor the front, and the prosthesis spans them all.
Because of the surgical complexity and angle precision required, pterygoid placements are usually performed using X-Nav navigated implant surgery for real-time guidance. The procedure is performed under on-site general anesthesia by Dr. Byron Larsen.
Pterygoid placement is one of the more demanding procedures in implant dentistry — the angle is steep, the anatomy is precise, and the consequences of imprecise placement are serious. That's why every pterygoid case at Suncoast is planned in advance from CBCT imaging, performed under general anesthesia in a controlled setting, and usually navigated with X-Nav for real-time precision. Patients who do well with pterygoid implants typically describe the most stable, long-term result they've experienced — a full arch that feels permanent because it is.
Pterygoid cases follow a similar sequence to zygomatic cases — most over 4 to 8 months from consultation to final restoration.
CBCT confirms pterygoid bone density and exact placement angle. Treatment plan visualizes the surgical approach, including which other implants will accompany the pterygoid placements.
Custom surgical guides designed and printed in our on-site SprintRay lab. The plan is reviewed with you in a follow-up visit before scheduling surgical day.
Procedure performed under on-site GA. Pterygoid implants are placed first, followed by any companion implants (zygomatic, conventional). Surgical time: 3–5 hours depending on case complexity.
Fixed temporary teeth are typically attached the same day so you leave with a functional restoration. A small minority of cases require waiting a few weeks before adding temporaries if initial stability isn't sufficient.
Healing takes 3 to 6 months. The permanent prosthesis is fitted once implants are confirmed integrated. Long-term follow-up monitors implant health for years afterward.
Pterygoid implants are rarely used alone — most cases combine them with zygomatic or conventional implants. Here's how the approaches compare.
| Feature | Pterygoid Alone | Pterygoid + Zygomatic Combined |
|---|---|---|
| Common use case | Posterior anchoring only | Full upper arch restoration |
| Number of implants typically needed | 1–2 per side | 4–6 per arch total |
| Sinus lift required | ||
| Bone grafting required | ||
| Same-day temporary teeth possible | Sometimes | |
| Requires general anesthesia |
The companion to pterygoid for full upper-arch restoration — anchors in the cheekbone for the front.
ImplantsThe full umbrella of options for patients told they aren't implant candidates.
TechnologyReal-time navigation during placement — especially valuable on pterygoid cases where the placement angle is critical.
Common questions when researching pterygoid implants.
Bring your imaging if you have it — we'll do our own CBCT and tell you honestly whether pterygoid implants (alone or combined with zygomatic) are right for your case.