Maxillary Tuberosity

Incision and reflection of the mucosa overlying the areas of the maxillary tuberosity and hamular notch when taking impressions for maxillary subperiosteal implant or harvesting bone graft must avoid injury to the tendon of tensor veli palatini muscle which passes around the pterygoid hamulus.

Maxillary tuberosity offers a variable amount of cancellous bone for grafting procedure. This area is convenient for use in maxillary sinus grafting and may also be considered for smaller areas of ridge augmentation. The anatomic limitations of this area include the maxillary sinus, pterygoid plates, adjacent teeth when present, and the greater palatine canal. Although the sinus may inadvertently be entered during removal of the graft, coverage of the perforation with the thick mucosa should preclude the development of an oroantral communication. Care should be taken to avoid fracturing the posterior maxilla