Pterygoid extension with palatal struts

Gradually attempts were made to lessen the implant's coverage, and therefore weight, without sacrificing stability. This patient's residual ridge was exceedingly narrow, a characteristic evident without exposing the ridge (1). The implant (3,4) was fashioned to take maximum advantage of the ridge's height by bracing against the ridge and anterior nasal spine. Note that the palatal portion has been considerably reduced in coverage to include only a continuous palatal strut braced against the ridge with a small premaxillary elaboration. The implant was inserted over the re-exposed ridge (5,6), and the tissues healed nicely over it (7). The finished restoration (8) was inserted, and the result was gratifying to the patient.

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