Statement

Maxillary implantation has a reputation ranging from difficult to almost impossible. Restoring the maxillary arch can be the ultimate test of an inplantologist's skill, daring, wit, courage, and inventiveness. Comparatively speaking, a mandibular intervention is simple. What makes the maxillae more difficult are their positions in the skull, their sharing of nondental functions with other bones of the skull, the effects of gravity on any contemplated appliance, and the loss of a distinct dental arch as the alveolar bone resorbs.

More failures have occurred with maxillary than with mandibular implants. Whereas for over 25 years certain implants have been used successfully in the mandible, there is no similar claim for any type of maxillary implant. However, it hasn't been until the past few years that the differences between maxillary and mandibular situations have been fully appreciated and acted upon.

Bone density and porosity in the various positions in the maxillae are disimilar to those in the mandible, and beneath the surface anatomy of each arch lurks entirely different implant problems. Modifying mandibular implants for the maxillae is not adequate, nor vice versa. The maxillae have their own very unique problems. The techniques devised to circumvent their weak areas and create solid artificial anchorage for a fixed restoration are thus presented in separate volumes to emphasize the strong influence of morphology on implant design and procedures.

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