Zygomatic Implants

We use Zygomatic implant when there is not enough bone for ordinary implants. Zygomatic implants are used to provide support for implant bridgework where there has been a substantial amount of bone lost from the upper jaw, and ordinary dental implants cannot be used on their own to support a bridge.

The implants are longer than ordinary dental implants, and pass through or next to the sinus to engage the very strong bulk of bone that forms the cheekbone. This means that the implants can be used as an alternative to complex bone grafting operations.

Typically two Zygomatic implants are used along with 2-4 ordinary dental implants. Where bone availability is even more limited, four zygomatic implants may be used.

Bridge treatment routinely involves producing a fixed resin temporary bridge on the same day as the implants are placed, or occasionally producing a definitive bridge 2-3 months later once healing has taken place. The precise approach will finally be determined by the degree of fixation of the implants. This has been incredibly exciting for our patients, most of whom have been able to be rid of their dentures in just one day, (instead of having graft treatments over a 9-12 month period and several different operations, as was previously the case).

The implants are placed obliquely, and have a special angled head, which allows them to be restored in the same sort of way as ordinary implants.

Treatment with zygomatic implants is very similar from the patients perspective to conventional implant treatment. Treatment usually starts by 'designing' the teeth by making a 'set-up' arrangement of teeth in the new desired position. As patients who need zygomatic implants have usually lost supporting bone, this can make a huge amount of difference to appearance, correcting the 'collapse' or loss of face height that is often present where dentures have been worn for a long time.

We routinely use 3D scanning, to produce a precise replica of the upper jaw bone. This allows us to visualise the precise shape and topography of the jaw and cheekbone, without having to carry out a wide surgical exposure. The implants are placed a long way back in the mouth, and this means that access is quite difficult. Although we of course make every effort to be as gentle as possible, there may be rather more swelling and bruising than with conventional implant placement. Because of the difficult access, and so as to make the experience as comfortable as possible, this sort of treatment usually takes place under intra-venous sedation.

See a press article on zygomatic implants