Prosthetic rehabilitation of patients with maxillary oncology defects using zygomatic implants

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PurposeProsthetics for patients after oncological resection of the upper jaw is a complex problem associated with the physiological and anatomical separation of the oral cavity and the nasal/paranasal region. This study reports the clinical results of the use of the zygomatic implants for prosthetic rehabilitation in patients with maxillectomy due to upper jaw tumors.Materials and methodsThe study included 16 patients who underwent prosthetic rehabilitation using a zygomatic implant after maxillectomy period from 2021 to 2023. After the tumor was removed, immediate surgical obturators were placed. Main prosthetic rehabilitation was performed 6–12 months after tumor removal, but before that, a temporary obturator was made and used. Six-twelve months after tumor resection, 1–4 zygomatic implants were inserted into the zygomatic bone unilaterally or bilaterally. A total of 42 zygomatic implants were installed, 2 of which were unsuccessful and were removed in 1 patient. The implants were placed using the surgical guide, which was planned and prepared digitally.ResultsNo postsurgical complications were seen, and the patients were discharged from the hospital after 7–10 days. The patients were able to return to a normal diet (hard food) after just 7 days following surgery, with no further complaints regarding function or pain, apart from the residual edema caused by the intervention.ConclusionsThe use of prostheses fixed on zygomatic implants in patients with maxillary defects is an effective method of prosthodontic rehabilitation in complex clinical cases after maxillectomy.