For individuals with severe bone loss, the prospect of obtaining dental implants used to be a long, often painful process. Invasive grafting procedures to establish adequate bone volume for the placement of conventional implants can be time-consuming and costly, but there is an alternative that can avoid grafts, shorten treatment time and improve your quality of life.
Introduced in the late 1990s, zygomatic implants can provide patients with implants through a minimally invasive application process without bone grafting, or complications and functional restrictions of the donor site. This immediately loaded prosthesis does not move, allowing for more confident speech, enhanced appreciation of foods and improved self-esteem.
Zygomatic implants differ from conventional dental implants in that they anchor in to the zygomatic bone (cheek bone) rather than the maxilla (upper jaw). They are used in cases where patients have inadequate maxillary bone quality or quantity due to, for example, aging, wearing dentures for a long time and it does not fit well any more, failed all-on-four, tumor removal surgery, trauma, or atrophy.
Since the zygomatic bone is denser than the posterior maxillary bone, a prosthesis can often be immediately placed at the time of surgery. Zygomatic implants are available in a wide array of lengths to fit any mouth. The head of the zygomatic implant is engineered to allow prosthesis attachment at a 45-degree angle.
Zygomatic implants have been in use for more than two decades, and clinical follow-up studies have shown good outcomes. The cumulative survival rate of zygomatic implants is 96% after 12 years.
Placement of zygomatic implants requires considerable surgical training and experience and meticulous diagnostic planning. The skilled oral and maxillofacial surgeons at our state-of-the-art surgical center have the knowledge and experience to shortens time-to-teeth for increased patient satisfaction and allows patients suffering from severe bone loss to return to a normal quality of life. We are using cutting edge technology, 3D imaging, intraoral scanning to accurately fabricate surgical guide for 100% accuracy and shortening the duration of the surgery. We are one of the first centers using this technology to give the best possible treatment to our patients.
You may be a good candidate for zygomatic implants if you have many missing teeth as well as extensive bone loss in your upper jaw. If your jaw bone is stable enough to hold traditional dental implants, they’re usually a better option, especially if bone grafting can be used to strengthen your jaw bone.
But in some patients, bone loss is too extensive, and traditional dental implants and bone grafts are impractical. In these cases, zygomatic implants are usually the best option. With zygomatic implants, your new smile will be firmly anchored to the dense, strong zygomatic bones (cheek bones). Wondering if this type of dental implant is right for you? The best way to find out is to schedule an implant consultation with Dr. Shahriari and our team.
Also, keep in mind that in order to get zygomatic implants, you must have a healthy mouth that’s free of active oral health concerns. Depending on your situation, it may be necessary for you to get treatment for gum disease, cavities, infected teeth, and other such dental problems before you can get zygomatic implants from the team at Greater Atlanta Oral Facial Surgery.
Just like traditional dental implants, zygomatic implants are expected to last a lifetime. As long as you work with a skilled implant dentist in Atlanta, maintain good oral hygiene, and get regular checkups every six months, you can expect your zygomatic implants to last you for the rest of your life.
This is because your zygomatic implants will be anchored deeply into your cheekbones, and will permanently bond with the natural bone of your jaw and face over time. This provides an extremely strong foundation for your new smile. If you keep your mouth healthy, you’ll enjoy a lifetime of natural, healthy smiles with your new zygomatic implants.
When you get zygomatic implants, you’ll usually also get a full set of temporary teeth to wear right after your appointment at ANEWU. Dr. Shahriari will give you a full set of instructions to follow as you recover from your surgery.
There are lots of steps that you’ll need to follow. For example, you must eat soft foods and avoid biting into foods with your front teeth, and you’ll need to follow a modified diet until your zygomatic implants heal completely, which could take up to 10 months. You also must avoid blowing your nose for at least two weeks, avoid smoking for three weeks, and take a number of other steps to ensure that your zygomatic implants heal properly. Follow all of Dr. Shahriari’s instructions to make sure you recover quickly and without any complications.
The good news is that once your zygomatic implants have healed and you get your permanent teeth, you can treat them just like natural teeth. Make sure to brush your new teeth at least twice a day. Proper brushing is essential for preventing gum disease and peri-implantitis, and keeping your smile healthy.
If you thought you were not a candidate for dental implants, zygomatic implants may be the perfect fit. To learn more and speak with our skilled oral surgeons, contact us today. Our staff can answer all the questions you may have about the treatment procedure. If you’d like to take the first step, then contact us online or call us to make an appointment.
At ANEWU, we go beyond the perfect smile. We rebuild complete smiles with life-changing dental implants, while also offering transformative facial aesthetics to accentuate your natural beauty. Imagine a more youthful, radiant you – where your smile seamlessly blends with a flawless complexion.
