Managing the Posterior Maxilla with Implants Using Bone Grafting to Enhance Implant Sites

The edentulous posterior maxilla poses challenges to reconstruction. Posterior forces are great, yet bone quality and quantity are diminished. There is frequent loss of bone resulting from ridge resorption as well as sinus pneumatization. There are also advantages of placing implants in the posterior maxilla compared with the anterior maxilla, such as improved hygiene, esthetics and phonetics, and biomechanical load distribution. This article will present strategies and techniques for improving implant support in the posterior maxilla through various grafting techniques.