GRAFTLESS IMPLANTS IN THE POSTERIOR MAXILLA

The aim of this narrative review is to describe treatment options for implants in the posterior regions of the maxilla. The dental literature was screened for treatment options enabling the placement of dental implants in posterior sites. The posterior maxilla faces twin challenges like ridge resorption and sinus pneumatization following extraction. Hence, sinus elevation procedures were for long considered to be the gold standard using various bone substitute materials and rendering high implant survival rates. However due to inherent limitations in the technique and associated morbidity, graftless solutions are now gaining popularity. This paper reviews advantages and literature on use of short, angulated, zygomatic and pterygoid implants as graftless solutions in the posterior maxilla.