If you don’t have enough bone in the upper jaw to support a dental implant, The Smiles Studio in Hampshire can help you avoid bone grafts and sinus lifts with pterygoid implants.
Make implants possible again
Been told you’re not suitable for dental implants due to insufficient bone in the upper jawbone? Get around this issue with advanced pterygoid implants at The Smiles Studio with Dr Mahesh Nagpal, who has placed more than 5,000 dental implants across our two clinics in Hampshire (Chandler’s Ford & Lymington).
- Have implants placed if you have severe bone loss
- Avoid the need for sinus lifts or bone grafts
- Enjoy immediate loading of your new teeth
- Fixed temporary teeth placed in just 3 days
- Excellent long-term fixed stability for full mouth cases
- Pay monthly over 12-60 months
Replace teeth faster with a fixed prosthetic even if you have severe upper jawbone loss
Using pterygoid implants, Dr Nagpal can utilise dense bone at the back of the jaw instead to support full-mouth rehabilitation and place a fixed temporary bridge in just 3 days. For the right patient, pterygoid implants can make full-mouth implant treatment faster, stronger, and more predictable.
Using this specialised placement technique, Dr Nagpal can avoid the need for complex bone grafting or sinus lifts by placing the implants at the back of the upper jaw, where your wisdom teeth would typically be located (in the premolar and pterygoid region).
Don’t wait months without fixed teeth. Book a free consultation with Dr Nagpal today. We plan full-mouth implant treatment around your bone levels, bite, lifestyle, and budget.
Why choose The Smiles Studio for pterygoid implants?
- 36 years of placing pterygoid implants in severe bone loss cases
- Avoid the need for sinus augmentation or bone grafts
- Immediate loading possible for suitable full-mouth cases
- Fixed temporary teeth often fitted within three days
- Free consultations and second opinions offered in Hampshire
- Our clinics are rated 5* by over 500 patients
- Dr Nagpal has placed 1000s of implants since 1990
- Pay monthly over 1 to 5 years
Are you the perfect match for pterygoid implants?
- Patients who have severe upper jawbone loss
- Patients told they need bone grafting
- Patients told they need a sinus lift
- Patients who need a full arch of fixed teeth
- Patients who hate loose upper dentures
- Patients who have faster treatment goals
Book a free consultation for dental implants in Hampshire to truly understand whether pterygoid implants are the most suitable option for your case.
Before & after dental implants
Dr Nagpal offers same-day fixed teeth with pterygoid implants
Highly regarded, experienced, and known for his complex casework at The Smiles Studio, Dr Mahesh Nagpal is an implantologist and the go-to in Hampshire for advanced tooth replacement, having restored thousands of smiles since 1990.
Using pterygoid implants, Dr Nagpal can make full-mouth rehabilitation possible for patients who have previously been told they lack sufficient bone density to support traditional implants.
- Dr Nagpal has placed and restored 5,000+ dental implants
- Advanced implant training completed at the University of Toronto
- Trained 1:1 with Dr Gordon Christensen in the USA in implant dentistry
- Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists since 2007
- ADI UK accredited implant mentor since 2008
- 100s of hours of CPD annually to stay at the forefront of implant dentistry
Pterygoid implant treatment process
Instead of relying only on the thinner upper jawbone or adding bone through grafting, pterygoid implants are positioned into stronger and denser bone around the pterygoid region.
- Free consultation: Dr Nagpal assesses your teeth, concerns & smile goals.
- 3D CBCT scan: Scan to check sinus position, bite and pterygoid bone suitability.
- Treatment plan: Explain whether pterygoid, zygomatic, All-on-4 or grafting is most suitable.
- Implant placement: Placing 1-2 pterygoid implants into bone at the back of the upper jaw.
- Immediate loading: Temporary fixed teeth can be attached within days of surgery.
- Healing phase: Implants integrate with the bone while you wear your temporary teeth.
- Final teeth: Final bridge is placed around 3 months later once implants are stable.
- Maintenance: Regular reviews and hygiene visits help protect your implants long-term.
| Treatment | Fee |
|---|---|
| Dental implant consultation | Free |
| All-on-4 dental implants | From £14,999 |
| Implant-retained dentures | From £5,000 |
| Pterygoid implant treatment | Price after consultation |
| Dental implant finance | From £54.21 per month |
| Monthly payment terms | 1 to 5 years |
Compare pterygoid implants
Exploring other full mouth rehabilitation treatments that can avoid bone grafting? Compare pterygoid implants against zygomatic implants and All-on-4/All-on-6. The most suitable system can be identified following a free consultation with Dr Nagpal in Hampshire.
| Feature | Pterygoid implants | Zygomatic implants | All-on-4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Severe bone loss at the back of the upper jaw. | Extreme upper jaw bone loss. | Full-arch tooth loss with sufficient bone in strategic areas. |
| Where the implants anchor | Dense bone around the pterygoid region behind the upper jaw. | The cheekbone, also called the zygoma. | The front and back areas of the jaw, usually with angled rear implants. |
| Can it avoid bone grafting? | Yes. | Yes. | Yes, in suitable cases. |
| Can it avoid a sinus lift? | Yes, in suitable upper jaw cases. | Yes, because it bypasses the sinus area. | Sometimes, depending on sinus position. |
| Can teeth be fixed quickly? | Yes, immediate loading possible. | Yes, immediate loading possible. | Yes, immediate loading possible. |
| Main benefit | Provides excellent back-of-mouth stability without grafting. | Allows fixed implant teeth even with very severe upper jaw bone loss. | A faster full-arch option using fewer implants and strategic placement. |
| Treatment complexity | Advanced implant treatment requiring precise 3D planning. | Highly advanced treatment for the most complex upper jaw cases. | Advanced full-arch treatment, but usually less complex than zygomatic cases. |
| Typical use | Often used to improve support at the back of an upper full-arch bridge. | Often used when there is not enough upper jawbone for standard or pterygoid support alone. | Used for replacing a full arch of missing or failing teeth with fixed implant teeth. |
| Stability | Excellent stability from dense posterior upper jaw bone. | Very high stability from cheekbone anchorage. | Strong stability when enough bone is available for full-arch support. |
| May reduce treatment time? | Yes, by avoiding grafting and supporting immediate loading. | Yes, by avoiding major grafting in severe bone loss cases. | Yes, often faster than grafting-based full-mouth implant plans. |
Located in the heart of Hampshire
The Smiles Studio, Chandler's Ford
The Smiles Studio, Lymington
Pterygoid implant FAQs
What are pterygoid implants?
Pterygoid implants are advanced dental implants placed into dense bone at the back of the upper jaw. They are often used when there is not enough upper jawbone for standard implants.
Who needs pterygoid implants?
They may be suitable for patients with severe bone loss in the upper jaw, especially those who have been told they need a sinus lift, bone graft or more complex full-mouth implant treatment.
Can pterygoid implants avoid bone grafting?
Yes, in suitable cases at The Smiles Studio. Pterygoid implants use the dense bone at the back of the upper jaw, which can reduce or eliminate the need for bone grafting.
Can pterygoid implants avoid a sinus lift?
Often, yes, at The Smiles Studio. Because pterygoid implants are placed into the back of the upper jaw and angled away from the sinus area, they can help some of our patients avoid sinus lift surgery.
Can I get fixed teeth quickly with pterygoid implants?
In suitable cases, yes. Pterygoid implants can allow immediate loading, meaning temporary fixed teeth may be fitted within days of implant surgery.
Are pterygoid implants better than zygomatic implants?
Not always. Pterygoid and zygomatic implants are used to treat different types of severe upper jawbone loss. A 3D scan and implant consultation with Dr Nagpal are needed to decide which option is safer and more suitable.
Are pterygoid implants stable?
Yes. They are designed to anchor into dense bone at the back of the upper jaw, providing excellent support for full-arch implant bridges where suitable.
Is pterygoid implant treatment painful?
Treatment is carried out with anaesthetic, and your clinical team will explain comfort and sedation options before surgery. Some soreness, swelling, or bruising may occur afterwards, as with other implant procedures.
Don’t worry, advanced digital dentistry allows us to help patients who have been turned away elsewhere. Dr Nagpal is fully trained in advanced dental implant procedures, meaning we can perform on-site bone grafting and sinus lifts, or utilise angled implants such as Nobel Biocare’s All-on-4 to maximise your existing bone structure.
How much do pterygoid implants cost?
Pterygoid implant treatment is quoted after consultation because the cost depends on the number of implants, whether full-mouth rehabilitation is needed and whether temporary or final fixed teeth are included.
Does The Smiles Studio offer finance for pterygoid implants?
Yes. The Smiles Studio offers dental implant finance, with implants currently advertised from £54.21 per month and pay-monthly options over 1 to 5 years.