Maxilla

The maxilla is the upper jaw bone in the skull that holds the upper teeth and helps form the floor of the eye sockets and the lateral walls and floor of the nasal cavity. It is actually a pair of bones fused at the midline and includes the alveolar process that anchors teeth as well as the maxillary sinuses, which are air-filled spaces within the bone.

In dentistry the maxilla is important because its shape and bone quality influence bite alignment, tooth support and many procedures such as dental implant placement and sinus lifting; loss of teeth can lead to bone resorption in the maxilla over time. Conditions that affect the maxilla include fractures, congenital differences like cleft palate, sinus-related issues and changes addressed by orthodontic treatment, implants or reconstructive surgery.