Immediate function in the atrophic maxilla using zygoma implants: a preliminary study

Abstract

Statement of problem: Oral rehabilitation of the edentulous atrophic maxilla to allow placement of a fixed dental prosthesis remains a challenge, especially if immediate function is provided.

Purpose: The aim of this retrospective, preliminary study was to evaluate, after a period of a 6 to 29 months' follow-up of prosthetic loading, the survival rate of 36 immediately loaded zygomatic implants placed in 18 atrophied maxillae.

Material and methods: Eighteen consecutive patients (6 men and 12 women), with an average age of 58 years (range of 44-74 years), were followed up to 29 months (average of 14 months). The clinical criteria included stability of the implants and the prosthesis, resonance frequency analysis (RFA), and evaluation of swelling, pain, or discomfort. Radiographic analysis was completed for conventional implants, but not for zygoma implants. All patients had a fixed prosthesis screwed onto implants within 48 hours after implant placement. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data.

Results: No zygomatic implants were lost over the observation period. Survival rate was 100% over an average 14-month observation period. Three conventional implants were lost, resulting in a survival rate of 95.6%. All the provisional prostheses were stable, and no relevant complications were noted.

Conclusions: The use of zygoma implants, together with conventional implants, in severely resorbed maxilla, appears to be a reliable technique for providing immediate function to patients.