Background: Advanced maxillary atrophy is one of the most common clinical scenarios where implant placement could become difficult. Nevertheless, a volumetric evaluation using a suitable diagnostic software could facilitate the implant planning. The purpose of the present study is to suggest the potential application of the maxillary retro-canine area as the designated location for virtual tilted implants. Methods: A sample of Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) images from the Department of Dentistry (IRCSS San Raffaele, Milan, Italy) was evaluated. After a 3D anatomical evaluation, tilted implants were virtually positioned in the retro-canine regions. All the implants were inserted using the same procedure at 30° and 45° degrees of tilting. The length, palatal angulation and diameter of the placed implant were identified. Results: A total of 220 tilted implants were placed. An average implant measurement of 13.51 mm in length and 3.42 mm in diameter were calculated. Additionally, an average buccal–palatal angulation of 6° was identified. Upon statistical analysis, the implant length was found to be significantly higher at 45° degrees of mesio-distal angulation than at 30° degrees (<0.0001). Conclusions: A considerable number of patients show a significant degree of bone atrophy. The implant-supported treatment plan can rely on three-dimensional imaging of the residual bone as a guiding tool to establish the most effective implant position for each specific case. In this study, it was found that an implant could have a greater length if its mesio–distal angulation was more accentuated. In addition, owing to the volumetric evaluation, it was possible to virtually insert tilted implants in almost all of the cases of atrophy. This could lead clinicians to consider the retro-canine area as a viable place to insert a longer tilted implant.

Background : Advanced maxillary atrophy is often observed and implant placement could become difficult. Nevertheless, a volumetric evaluation using a proper diagnostic software could facilitate the implant planning. The purpose of the present study is to reveal the existence of a sufficient bone volume in the maxilla also in patients presenting a severely atrophic maxilla. Methods: A sample of CBCT images of 59 patients was evaluated. After a 3D anatomical evaluation, tilted implants has been virtually positioned in the retro-canine regions. All the implants were inserted with the same procedure at 30° and 45° degrees of tilting. The length, the palatal angulation and the diameter of the placed implant were identified. Results: 220 tilted implants were placed. An average implant measurement of 13,508 mm of length and 3,42 mm of diameter were calculated. Also, an average buccal-palatal angulation of 6° was identified. After the statistical analysis implant length was found significantly higher at 45° degrees than at 30° degree (<0.0001). Conclusions: A considerable amount of patients show a significant degree of bone atrophy. The implant-supported treatment plan can rely on the three dimensional imaging of the residual bone as a guiding tool to establish the most effective implant position for each specific case. In this study it is founded that in the majority of the maxillary atrophy the volumetric evaluation of the bone near the lateral wall of the nasal cavity could suggest the presence of an adequate basal bone volume for tilted implants placement.

Background: Advanced maxillary atrophy is often observed and implant placement could become difficult. Nevertheless, a volumetric evaluation using a proper diagnostic software could facilitate the implant planning. The purpose of the present study is to suggest the potential application of the maxillary retro-canine area as the designated place for virtual tilted implants also in severely atrophic maxillae. Methods: A sample of CBCT images from the Department of Dentistry (IRCCS San Raffaele, Milan) was evaluated. After a 3D anatomical evaluation of the maxilla tilted implants has been virtually positioned in the retro-canine regions. All the implants were inserted with the same procedure at 30° and 45° degrees of tilting. The length, the palatal angulation and the diameter of each implant were identified. Results: 220 tilted implants were placed. An average implant measurement of 13.508 mm of length and 3.42 mm of diameter were calculated. Also, an average buccal-palatal angulation of 6° was identified. After the statistical analysis implant length was found significantly higher at 45° degrees than at 30° degree (<0.0001).Conclusions: A considerable amount of patients show a significant degree of bone atrophy. The implant-supported treatment plan can rely on the three dimensional imaging of the residual bone as a guiding tool to establish the most effective implant position for each specific case. In this study it is founded that an implant could be longer if its mesio-distal angulation is more accentuated. In addition, it is possible to virtually insert tilted implants also in severely atrophic maxilla. This could help clinicians to consider the retro-canine area a viable place to insert longer tilted implant.