[Zygomatic anchorage concept in full edentulism]

Abstract

The zygoma anchorage concept for severe atrophy of the maxilla was developed by Brånemark in the 1980s. It concerned patients having undergone maxillectomy as well as patients with edentulous upper jaws and mild to severe maxillary atrophy. The concept was created and clinically developed in 1997, by placing two zygomatic implants and four standard ones to compensate sub-sinus bone resorption. It was applied later to patients presenting extremely severe maxillary atrophy, using the "zygoma quad" concept with the placement of four zygomatic implants. Zygoma anchorage is reliable in terms of osseo-integration and biomechanical support of screwed prostheses, according to frequently published data (overall survival rate ranging between 91 and 100%). The increasing practice of immediate loading makes it the treatment of choice for oral rehabilitation. It decreases surgical invasiveness and the delay between surgery and oral rehabilitation. It allows a quick social and professional reinsertion and increases the comfort and quality of life for patients with fully edentulous maxilla with mild, moderate, or severe atrophy.