BENEFITS OF ZYGOMATIC DENTAL IMPLANTS

Benefits of Zygomatic Dental Implants

Tooth loss is a common problem that can arise as we age, lose bone mass or because of damage or trauma or even severe decay. Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth but unfortunately, not everyone is a candidate for dental implants. Implants require a sufficient amount of jaw bone structure to provide a stable foundation for the implant and implant restoration. Patients that have severe maxillary resorption, that is bone loss in the upper jaw, may require extensive bone grafting to encourage new bone growth and replace missing bone. Bone grafts add a significant amount of treatment and healing time but another option for patients who cannot or do not want to endure bone graphs is a zygomatic implant.

What is a zygomatic dental implant?

A zygomatic dental implant is significantly longer than standard implants and actually attaches to the cheekbone. The dense bone structure of the cheekbone can provide stable support for implants that may otherwise not be possible due to bone resorption. The implant may be allowed to heal for up to six months before the restoration is placed but zygomatic implants are able to support a provisional restoration immediately. Zygomatic implants can support a single tooth or multiple teeth with an implant supported bridge or denture.

What are the benefits of zygomatic dental implants?

The immediate loading of a provisional restorative prosthesis is a benefit to both the patient and the clinician. For the patient, they do not have to wait for an extended period of time to receive their dental prosthesis as would be the case with bone grafting and standard dental implants. Also, the lack of compression on the postoperative soft tissue is more comfortable for the patient since the prosthesis is supported by the implants and not by the soft tissue at the surgical site.

Other benefits of zygomatic implants include:

• Fewer clinical visits since the implant process can be completed in one visit
• No bone grafting is required
• Stability and durability of the implant
• Less invasive procedure compared to standard implant placement with bone grafting

Patients who are otherwise healthy but do not have enough bone structure for traditional implants may be a great candidate for zygomatic implants. No matter what procedure you are looking to receive, it is important that you have a consultation with your dentist complete with a full evaluation of your mouth and jaw bone structure to determine what procedure is best for you.

Zygomatic dental implants are an ideal alternative to traditional implants since they do not require sinus augmentation or bone grafting providing the patient with a more comfortable and much shorter treatment time. Zygomatic implants or a great choice for cases with severe maxillary resorption without which many patients would otherwise need extensive grafting procedures in order to create an adequate bone volume for standard implant placement.

If you think you may be a candidate for zygomatic dental implants, speak with your dentist to see what options are available to you. Zygomatic implants help avoid grafting and shorten treatment time with significant postoperative improvements in function and aesthetics and can be a great choice for patients who do not want to or cannot endure bone grafting.

How Safe are Zygomatic Dental Implants?