Avoiding Unwanted Exposure of Subperiosteal Implants in the Atrophic Maxilla: Technical Note

The use of subperiosteal implants for the rehabilitation of atrophic maxillae has taken attention recently as a validated option in the treatment of severe atrophy. The systems have been improved by technological advancements and the analysis of variables affecting their prognosis. However, one of the most frequent issues to resolve is the unwanted exposure of a portion of the metal mesh close to the abutment and prosthetic connections, which can result in infections, hygiene problems, and, in some instances, complete failure. It seems that the surgical approach is a hot topic for the success of these implants. This article describes a surgical technique that lowers the risk of unintended implant exposure by enabling the subperiosteal implant to be installed from the lateral approach and enabling the right access to the prosthetic abutments in a transfixing way from palatal approach, away from the primary surgical access.