Technical Concepts in the Management of Posterior Maxillary Implants: a Review Update

Posterior maxilla (PM) presents a complex physio-anatomical region for dental implant therapy, owing to several challenging obstacles. The present paper revisits the various technical and surgical considerations during implant placement specifically in the PM region. It also highlights some of the unique techniques and their recent modifications, as well as alternative structural and procedural options.

Numerous conservative sinus elevation techniques evolved over the past few years have revealed sufficient vertical gain through the osteotomy. Predictable ridge augmentation techniques such as guided bone regeneration and Khoury’s technique have shown tremendous long-term success in the PM. Moreover, multiple meta-analysis studies have validated short implants as graft-free options in the PM.

Data related to the novel techniques and their modifications are diverse with advantages and limitations. The clinician should be well informed in order to carefully weigh these prior to rehabilitating the posterior maxillary region.