A Radiographic Study on Pterygoid Implants with Hamulus as a Landmark for Engaging the Pterygoid Plate - A Retrospective Study

INTRODUCTION: Rehabilitating the posterior maxilla with pterygoid implants can be quite challenging as the area entails many hindrances for implant placement. Although few studies have reported the three-dimensional angulations according to various planes (Frankfort horizontal (FH), sagittal plane, occlusal or maxillary planes), no anatomical landmarks have been identified to guide their placement. This study aimed at analysing the three-dimensional angulation of pterygoid implants using the hamulus as an intraoral guide. METHODS: Pre-operative cone-beam computed tomography scans (axial and parasagittal sections) of 150 patients rehabilitated with pterygoid implants were retrospectively analysed to determine the horizontal and vertical angulations in relation to the hamular line and FH plane, respectively. RESULTS: The results showed horizontal buccal and palatal safe angulations of 20.8° ± 7.6° and −20.7° ± 8.5° in relation to the hamular line. Maximum and minimum vertical angulations of 61.6° ± 7.0° and 37.2° ± 10.3° were observed, with a mean of 49.8 ± 8.1 in relation to FH plane. The post-operative scans showed that around 98% of the implants placed along the hamular line were successfully engaging the pterygoid plate. DISCUSSION: Comparing with the results of previous studies, this study concludes that when implants are placed along the hamular line, they are more likely to engage the centre of the pterygomaxillary junction resulting in an excellent prognosis of pterygoid implants.