Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42720248›Full record

SynthesisClinical implant dentistry and related research2026

Indications, Techniques and Complications Associated With Pterygoid Implants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Francesco Gianfreda, Luca Guarente, Marzia Lommi, Maria Scarpati Cioffari di Castiglione, Alberto Antonio Nativio, Carlo Raffone, Mirko Martelli, Patrizio Bollero

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Clinical implant dentistry and related research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Francesco GianfredaDepartment of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5123-8666
Luca GuarenteDepartment of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0690-4089
Marzia LommiDepartment of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5904-1032
Maria Scarpati Cioffari di CastiglioneDepartment of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2076-4621
Alberto Antonio NativioDepartment of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8180-8520
Carlo RaffoneIndependent Researcher, Rome, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6517-6643
Mirko MartelliDepartment of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0039-0750
Patrizio BolleroDepartment of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2430-2057

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND

objectivesPterygoid implants represent a graftless option for rehabilitation of patients with posterior maxillary atrophy, engaging the dense cortical bone of the pterygomaxillary complex. Despite clinical growth, a comprehensive synthesis of indications, surgical techniques, and complications is lacking. This review evaluated the prevalence of complications, implant survival rates, and marginal bone loss (MBL) associated with pterygoid implant placement.

methodsThe reporting of this review follows PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Six electronic databases (PubMed, Ovid, Scopus, WoS, CENTRAL, and Dentistry & Oral Sciences Source) were searched from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2025. Included criteria comprised randomized and non-randomized clinical studies reporting outcomes of pterygoid implants (≥ 13 mm) in adult patients with posterior maxillary atrophy (minimum 10 implants). Risk of bias was assessed using JBI critical appraisal checklists. Proportions were pooled using the Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation under a random-effects model. Certainty of evidence was assessed using GRADE.

resultsSeventeen studies reporting 846 patients and 1915 pterygoid implants were included. The pooled survival rate was 97.9% (95% CI: 97.1%-98.6%; I

conclusionsPterygoid implants demonstrate excellent survival (97.9%) and low failure rates (2.1%), primarily early, supporting their reliability as a graftless solution for posterior maxillary atrophy. Complications appear infrequent though heterogeneously reported. Low evidence certainty necessitates prospective studies with standardized outcome reporting.

Indexed as

Dental Implantation, EndosseousDental ImplantsSphenoid BoneAlveolar Bone LossAtrophic MaxillaDental Restoration FailureHumansMaxillaPostoperative ComplicationsDental Implantsdental implantsimplant survivalmarginal bone lossposterior maxillary atrophypterygoid implantspterygomaxillary complexsurgical complicationssystematic review

Identifiers

PMID42720248
PMCPMC13560614

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.