If you are missing full upper teeth and have been told that you are not a good candidate for dental implants due to the high degree of bone atrophy (lack of bone in the upper jaw), don’t despair. There is still a permanent solution for your upper arch: Zygoma implants.
In the past, patients with significant bone loss in the upper jaw used implant dentures that can be attached to the upper jaw with titanium implants.
But many times there is severe bone resorption in the upper jaw (or maxilla), which provides insufficient anchorage for the prosthesis. In such cases, bone graft surgery is performed. In this surgery, part of the bone is taken from the patient’s own hip region and grafted onto the jaw bone. After approximately six months of healing, the denture is implanted in the patient’s upper jaw.
Now there is a revolutionary implant technique that eliminates the need for a hip bone graft or sinus augmentation. Zygoma implants or zygomatic implant surgery involve minimal surgical procedures in a reduced treatment time, without the need for a painful graft.
Developed by Prof. Branemark & Nobel Biocare, Sweden, the non-graft technique, also called the Zygoma technique, is used when the jaws lack the necessary height and / or width to support implants.
Unlike conventional implants, Zygoma implants are placed directly into the body of the cheekbones, which is medically known as Zygoma.
Who Needs Zygoma Implants?
Zygoma implants are appropriate for anyone with missing, shaky, or loose teeth and severe bone resorption in the maxilla. People of all ages, except children, can benefit from this technique. This procedure cannot be performed in patients with sinus problems.
The procedure
Zygoma dental implant treatment is done in three steps in a single simple dental journey.
Diagnosis of the reabsorbed frontal alveolar bone of the upper jaw, x-rays and necessary health checks.
Tooth extraction (if necessary)
Posterior placement of dental implants (at least 2 to 4 implants are used in the front of the upper jaw)
Placement of prostheses the same day the implants are placed
Advantage
You get a fixed row of functional prosthetic teeth within 72 hours unlike conventional implant techniques that take up to 6 months.
The Zygoma dental implant presents a graft-free solution, avoiding the use of bone grafts from other parts of the body.
They are longer than normal dental implants.
Zygoma implants are placed in a surgical procedure under general anesthesia, providing patients with a less painful experience.
With the short duration of treatment, the patient experiences significantly less discomfort.
Just one day after surgery, the patient will be able to bite and chew their normal food (including hard and crunchy foods).
With this technique, you get an immediate boost of confidence with functional, natural-looking teeth.
It gives you the opportunity to recover the biomechanics of your original teeth.
The new artificial set of fixed permanent teeth allows you to smile with confidence.
The main advantage is that the success rate of zygoma implants is 100%.
Postoperative care
For the longevity of Zygoma implants, it is very important to maintain proper oral hygiene. In the first 24 hours after surgery, you should only eat soft, cold foods. You should rinse your mouth with salt or brush your teeth only 24 hours after implants. At least 10 days later, routine cleaning around the implants and bridge along with brushing is essential.
cost
Zygomatic implants are longer than conventional implants made specifically for this purpose, so they are very expensive. This procedure is performed by an expert team of expert dental and maxillofacial surgeons which adds to the cost.