Zygomatic Implants

What Are Zygomatic Implants?

Zygomatic Implants are the solution for patients that have the most sever form of bone loss in the upper jaw. It is an alternative to bone grafting. This procedure has a long track record of success.

How Do Zygomatic Implants Work?

Zygomatic implants are anchored in the cheek bone which is called the “zygoma” in human anatomy textbooks. The extra-long implant is placed from inside the mouth near the location of the bicuspid teeth. It goes through or right next to the sinus and anchors into the thick and solid zygomatic bone. This bone is much more solid than what is found in the back part of the upper jaw.

1-2 zygoma implants are used on each side in addition to 2-4 regular implants towards the front of the jaw in the area where the upper front teeth used to be. Having additional support in the upper jaw is always good for the longevity of dental implant restorations in the upper jaw where the bone is typically very soft. It is a safe and predictable procedure.

What Are The Advantages Of Zygomatic Implants?

  • The beauty of this procedure is that it is “graft-less”. This means that for the majority of patients, no major bone grafting is necessary. 
  • The patient can leave with immediate loaded functioning fixed teeth on the same day of the surgery. The patient does not have to wait for complete healing to have teeth that are screwed in on the same day of the procedure. This allows for shorter “time-to-teeth.”
  • Block bone grafting is unnecessary.
  • A sinus lift bone graft is unnecessary.
  • Reduces the timeline to completion of the upper jaw restoration.
  • It is one of the few times that the “All-on-4” procedure can be done predictably in the upper jaw because the implants are much longer and stronger.
  • One zygomatic dental implant equals about 3-4 regular dental implants.
  • It is done under IV sedation while you sleep.
  • This allows for faster healing than bone grafting.
  • Natural teeth can be extracted and zygomatic cheek bone dental implants can be placed at the same appointment.

Requirements

A CBCT cone beam 3-D scan and a detailed two step exam and consult is madatory. In that scan, we will also evaluate your sinuses to make sure that the normal sinus drainage passages are open. If they are not open, we may refer you to an ENT. We will review a virtual rendering of your procedure and take you through the pros and cons of zygomatic dental implant reconstruction. In our office we doth procedures and can help you decide which option is best for you.

What Are the Risks of Zygomatic Implants?

When there is little to no bone present, all dental implant and bone grafting procedures carry some degree of risk. There are no procedures without risk. No discussion would be complete without discussing remote risks. 

Surgical risks, although rare, can include bleeding, cuts on the lips, poor primary stability, zygomatic fracture, hematoma, entrance into the bone under the orbit or infratemporal fossa, paresthesia (numbness), pain, tenderness to touch, sinusitis, thread exposure, oral-antral communication, implant failure, zygomatic-cutaneous communication, and zygomatic implant fracture.

The final bridge on the tongue side often needs to be made a bit thicker than normal because the zygomatic dental implant is sometimes closer to the roof of the mouth than a regular implant.

Just like any other complex oral dental implant surgery, there are risks.