Restoration of the edentulous maxilla: The case for the zygomatic implants

Abstract

9 T estoration of the atrophied edentulous maxilla poses great dilemma to the oral and maxillofacial surgeon nd restorative dentist. Conventional removable denure prostheses are adequate for some individuals; but mproved technology in dental implantology has led any to request alternative approaches with imlants. Patients with adequate maxillary bone are deal candidates for implants, but are the exception. atients with moderate to severe atrophy challenge he surgeon to discover alternative ways to use existng bone or resort to augmenting the patient with utogenous or alloplastic bone materials. Many proedures have been suggested for these atrophied axillae before implant placement, which include Le ort I maxillary downfracture, onlay bone grafts, nd maxillary sinus graft procedures, including loal and distal harvesting. Some of these treatment ptions entail multiple surgical interventions, varying uccess rates, restriction of denture wear throughout long transitional period, increased surgical fees, and erhaps costly hospitalization. Branemark first used the zygoma implant as a major reakthrough in the treatment of maxillary atrohy. The implant, a titanium endosseal threaded mplant ranging in length from 30 to 52.5 mm, is laced in stable cortical maxillary buttress bone. The mplant has a built-in 45° angled platform lending to deal ridge positioning. The placement of 2 zygoma mplants and 4 anterior maxillary implants provides