Maximum bone anchorage through extended length design. For cases demanding exceptional primary and secondary stability where standard lengths are anatomically insufficient — nasal floor, pterygoid, and atrophic ridge applications.
Complete technical data for the Neodent GM Long extended-length implant system. Current as of the latest Neodent product documentation.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Implant Type | Extended length (16–20 mm) — tapered body, progressive thread design |
| Thread Design | Progressive hybrid: compressive square-type threads (coronal zone) + self-tapping V-threads (apical zone) |
| Thread Zone Function | Coronal: bone compression and stability · Apical: self-tapping engagement of cortical plates |
| Connection Type | Grand Morse® 16° internal cone (Morse taper) |
| Platform Design | Platform switching — prosthetic platform narrower than implant platform |
| Surface Treatment | Acqua (hydrophilic, nitrogen-sealed) · NeoPoros (SLA equivalent) |
| Available Diameters | 3.75 mm · 4.3 mm |
| Available Lengths | 16 mm · 18 mm · 20 mm |
| Primary Indication | Atrophic ridges with adequate height, nasal floor bicortical anchorage, pterygoid/pterygomaxillary region |
| Secondary Indication | Narrow ridges with good vertical height, full-arch rehabilitation without posterior sinus grafting |
| Maximum Insertion Torque | 60 N.cm rated — target ≥35 N.cm for immediate loading protocols |
| Diameter Limitation | Available in 3.75 and 4.3 mm only — no 5.0 mm in the Long series |
| Guided Surgery | Strongly recommended — CBCT mandatory for proximity to anatomical structures |
| Material | Grade IV commercially pure titanium (cpTi) — TiO₂ surface oxide layer |
| Compatibility | All Neodent Grand Morse prosthetic components — MUAs (17° and 30°), Ti-Bases, straight abutments |
| Regulatory | ANVISA registered · CE marked · FDA 510(k) cleared |
The Neodent GM Long addresses clinical scenarios where bone height compensates for reduced width, or where the clinician must engage specific anatomical structures to achieve anchorage that would be impossible with standard-length implants. When a patient presents with a narrow but tall alveolar ridge, or when the surgical plan requires engagement of the nasal floor for additional coronal anchorage in an atrophic anterior maxilla, standard 7–17 mm implants simply cannot reach the required structures. The GM Long's extended dimensions — available in 16, 18, and 20 mm — allow engagement of multiple cortical plates simultaneously, achieving bicortical anchorage that dramatically increases both primary stability at placement and secondary stability during osseointegration.
The GM Long's thread design reflects the specific demands of extended-length placement. The coronal portion of the implant body uses compressive threads — similar in philosophy to the Drive GM's approach — which densify the crestal trabecular bone and generate lateral stability at the most critical zone for soft tissue support and marginal bone maintenance. The apical portion transitions to self-tapping V-threads designed specifically for engaging cortical bone at depth: the nasal floor cortex, the palatal cortex in pterygoid placement, or the apical cortical plate in very long sites. This progressive hybrid design gives the surgeon the compression benefit where it matters most (the crest) and the cortical-cutting efficiency where it is needed most (the apex).
One of the most compelling applications for the GM Long is the pterygomaxillary implant — a specialized posterior maxillary technique used as an alternative to conventional sinus grafting in full-arch rehabilitation cases. In All-on-4 and All-on-6 variants, pterygoid implants positioned into the pterygoid process and pyramidal process of the palatine bone allow the clinician to extend a fixed prosthesis to the second molar region without any sinus augmentation procedure. The GM Long's 20 mm option is the implant of choice for this application, as it achieves sufficient length to traverse the tuberosity and reach the pterygoid process with reliable bicortical engagement. This technique is technically demanding but can eliminate sinus grafting entirely in appropriately selected cases.
The GM Long uses the same Grand Morse 16° internal cone connection as the entire GM family, preserving full prosthetic interchangeability. In full-arch cases that combine GM Long pterygoid implants with standard-length Drive GM or Helix GM anterior implants, the clinician works with a single prosthetic component inventory and a single connection philosophy throughout the restoration. The cold-weld Morse taper achieves the same friction seal, the same zero-microgap interface, and the same platform switching crestal bone protection regardless of whether the underlying implant is a 7 mm Helix Short or a 20 mm GM Long.
Six clinical and engineering advantages that make the GM Long the solution of choice when standard implant lengths are insufficient.
The GM Long is purpose-built for four specific anatomical and clinical scenarios where standard-length implants cannot achieve adequate anchorage.
In the severely atrophic anterior maxilla, the distance from the alveolar crest to the nasal floor may be less than 10 mm. The GM Long (16–18 mm) intentionally perforates and engages the nasal floor cortex, achieving bicortical anchorage that can provide ISQ values 15–20 points higher than monocortical placement in the same site. This technique requires precise CBCT planning and ideally guided surgery to control the angle of perforation. The nasal floor perforation is a known, accepted technique that patients tolerate well and that heals without complication in the vast majority of cases.
The pterygoid region contains dense bone at the junction of the pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone and the pyramidal process of the palatine bone. Implants placed into this region — typically angled distally 45° and superiorly 10–15° — engage this dense bone to provide posterior anchorage in full-arch cases. The 20 mm GM Long is the standard choice for pterygoid placement, as its length allows traversal of the tuberosity and engagement of the pterygoid process cortical bone. This eliminates posterior sinus grafting and enables immediate loading of full-arch prostheses.
When a patient presents with a narrow alveolar ridge (4.0–5.0 mm width) that has good vertical height, the GM Long allows maximum use of the available bone volume. In cases where a 5.0 mm diameter implant is contraindicated due to inadequate ridge width, but the ridge has 18–20 mm of vertical height, the GM Long in 3.75 or 4.3 mm diameter provides a surface area of bone-to-implant contact that compensates for the narrower diameter — achieving stability values comparable to wider short implants through length rather than width.
In complex full-arch cases, the GM Long is often used in combination with standard-length GM implants to create a quadrant of high-stability anchor points. Posterior GM Long implants placed at the pterygoid region or tuberosity, combined with anterior Drive GM or Helix GM implants, allow the clinician to distribute the full-arch prosthetic load across a broad anatomical base. This combination approach is the foundation of graft-free full-arch rehabilitation in the atrophic maxilla, reducing total treatment time from 12–18 months (with grafting) to a single surgical session with immediate loading.
The GM Long is a specialized implant that demands careful case selection. Understand the ideal patient profile and the absolute contraindications before planning a case.
Critical protocol points for GM Long placement. Due to proximity to critical anatomical structures, this implant demands more rigorous pre-surgical planning than standard sites. Always follow the official Neodent surgical manual and relevant advanced surgical training protocols.
GM Long implants placed near the nasal floor, sinus, or pterygoid region involve proximity to critical anatomical structures. These are advanced surgical techniques. Surgeons new to pterygoid or nasal floor implant placement should complete dedicated hands-on training with anatomical specimens and experienced mentors before performing these procedures clinically. Inaccurate placement can result in sinus perforation, nasal floor damage, or pterygoid vascular injury. CBCT planning and surgical guide use are not optional extras — they are the minimum standard of care for these cases.
Experienced pterygoid implant surgeons describe a distinctive three-phase resistance profile: soft resistance through the tuberosity, moderate resistance through the pyramidal process, and then a sudden firm resistance increase when the apex enters the pterygoid process cortical bone. This final resistance surge is your confirmation of anatomical success. If you do not feel this progressive resistance increase and the implant seats too easily to full depth, the apex may not have engaged the pterygoid cortex — re-evaluate with CBCT or fluoroscopy before loading the implant.
The GM Long series is available in a focused range of diameters and extended lengths. Note: the 5.0 mm diameter is not available in this series.
| Diameter ↓ / Length → | 16 mm | 18 mm | 20 mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.75 mm | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 4.3 mm | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 5.0 mm | — | — | — |
GM Long available in Acqua (hydrophilic) and NeoPoros (SLA) surfaces. 5.0 mm diameter not available in the Long series — use Drive GM or Helix GM for 5.0 mm requirements. Contact us for current pricing.
Answers to the most common clinical questions about GM Long placement, pterygoid technique, and nasal floor protocols.
Contact us for GM Long pricing, availability, and technical support. Our team can assist with product selection for complex anatomical cases.
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