Zygomatic implants are a type of dental implants, which are characterized by being longer and anchored in the lower part of the cheekbone, where there is a very good quality bone and which is considered an anatomical buttress where the bone is not naturally resorbed.
What differences do they present in relation to other implants?
The main differences are in their length, their placement and, above all, their indication.
A zygomatic implant is a longer implant that can be anchored in anatomical bone buttresses (in this case, the zygoma is the lower part of the cheekbone). Instead of being anchored in the maxillary bone, like conventional implants, zygomatic implants are used in cases where very good quality bone is present and in patients with severe resorption of the maxillary bone in which the placement of conventional implants is impossible.
They are placed without extremely large bone regeneration with a relatively low prognosis for a complete dental rehabilitation in a single intervention.
When are they indicated?
The placement of zygomatic implants is indicated in those patients with severe maxillary atrophy, in whom the placement of conventional implants is impossible, or when it is necessary to perform large bone regenerations to be able to carry it out.
Normally, they are patients who have atrophy of the maxillary bone due to a previous failure of conventional implants, trauma, oncology or who have had a partial (skeletal) or complete removable prosthesis for many years.
How are these implants placed?
The procedure takes approximately 2 hours and is performed under conscious sedation. Today, the protocol has been greatly simplified and, in many cases, it is no longer necessary to make a hospital admission and general anesthesia.
Basically, it follows the same concept as conventional implants, but instead of being placed in the maxilla, it will be given a trajectory in which it is anchored in the maxillary bone at its apex, and the other end of the implant is placed in a maxillary position, favorable for the future prosthesis as if it were a conventional implant.
What care should the patient follow after implant placement?
The care is the same as that of a patient after the placement of conventional implants to rehabilitate the jaw:
- Rest
- Do not touch the wound
- Apply cold to the area for a week
- Take the medication as prescribed.
However, the great benefit of placing zygomatic implants is that, due to the great stability they offer, a functional provisional prosthesis can be placed, so that the wound will be hidden and the patient will be able to eat a relatively normal diet from the first week, as long as this diet is strictly soft.