Dental implants can be lifesavers for anyone who has damaged or missing teeth. A good implant restores the ability and function of the teeth to their natural state, increasing confidence and allowing recipients to use their teeth as if the implant wasn’t there at all. Dental implants can also correct unnatural facial contours caused by missing teeth.
Most implants are a tiny titanium post which is inserted where there is a damaged or missing tooth. There are two main types of dental implants: the common endosteal Implant which is placed in the jawbone and the subperiosteal implant which is placed beneath the gum.
Dental implants give a solid foundation for teeth by forming a bond between bone and titanium, which can be stronger than natural teeth. Secondly, they hold an advantage over natural teeth as they prevent bone deterioration often caused by unhealthy teeth.
What are Zygomatic Implants?
Zygomatic implants are an alternative dental implant method that is recommended for patients who have partially missing or insufficient jaw bones. This procedure bypasses the jawbone which is required when installing traditional implants and uses the zygomatic bone (cheekbone) to anchor the implants instead. This method has been in use for over a decade with increased efficiency compared to the traditional method. With zygomatic implants, a denture can be installed firmly in the patient’s mouth without the need for additional bone grafting.
Be that as it may, a dental assessment is required to determine what type of dental implant a patient requires. Usually, oral and maxillofacial surgeons carry out an extensive assessment to ascertain what kind of implant would be appropriate depending on the overall condition of the patient. During this assessment, one of the most important aspects to check is bone density. In the past, traditional implants were inserted into the jawbones, but because many patients have insufficient bone, they were not able to receive implants. This, unfortunately, has consequences on their self-esteem and physical appearance.
Who Needs a Zygomatic Implant?
This procedure is necessary for anyone who wants to replace all their upper teeth and has an insufficient bone in their upper jaw area, also known as the maxilla. That said, zygomatic implants may not be the ideal for every case of tooth loss. In other words, the patient must be advised and assessed by a qualified oral and maxillofacial surgeon before undergoing this delicate procedure.
Why Zygomatic Implants?
Zygomatic implants are a great option for people with thin jawbones who want to achieve good dentition. While traditional implants require bone grafting to make up for the thin jawbone, zygomatic implants allow the patient to achieve results while using their existing bone structure.
This surgery may seem more daunting than the regular dental implant procedure, but the truth is that the actual surgical procedure is not much different. The zygomatic implant is attached to the zygomatic bone and is meant to form a sturdy base for dental implants.
Procedure Steps for a Zygomatic Implant
All other dental implant methods should be considered before choosing this treatment option. It is often the last resort option for those with poor bone structure. At Maxillovendôme we perform the following crucial steps before carrying out this procedure:
An Extensive Oral Assessment: This assessment helps us in understanding the extent of the patient’s bone loss and oral health.
A CBCT Scan: This scan produces digital 3D images of the patient’s mouth and guides the oral surgeon in choosing the size of the implant and determining where exactly the implant should be inserted.
Digital Imaging and Virtual Treatment Planning: A model of the patient’s mouth is created from the scans and guides the oral and maxillofacial surgeon carries out a mock procedure. This helps the surgical team simulate a real-life situation before working on the patient. Specialized software is also involved in this process.
Benefits of Zygomatic Implants
Over the years, the practice of zygomatic implants has increased tremendously, confirming that more patients are choosing the procedure because of its benefits. The benefits associated are numerous and include the following:
Unlike traditional implants that take as much as nine months to stabilize completely, zygomatic implants require much less recovery time. Strong, stable teeth can be achieved faster than traditional implants due to the various implant technologies involved. It takes less than four months for the implant to bond completely with the cheekbone after most zygomatic implant procedures.
Zygomatic implants do not require bone reconstruction which is why the method is the preferred alternative for those with damaged or missing jaw bones.
The procedure is quicker than traditional implants which often require multiple scheduled treatments. Zygomatic implants are installed in a one-time procedure.
They allow for immediate loading of the teeth once bonding is completed. This gives the patient the ability to use their teeth for biting and chewing in a much faster time than traditional implants.
How Painful is the Zygomatic Implant Procedure?
Like all surgery, pain may occur after surgery. Nonetheless, patients are given anesthetics with or without intravenous sedation as needed to limit pain before, during, and after the operation. Pain medication is also given after the surgery. All in all, patients entering the process in a state of relaxation tend to experience the process as almost painless.
Conclusion
Since the procedure involves insertion of the implant into the cheekbone, as opposed to the jaw bone as in traditional procedure, it becomes even more crucial to seek guidance from a qualified specialist such as the team of Maxillovendôme to better understand the scope of this surgery. Our advice will help alleviate any fears you have regarding your zygomatic implants.
Lastly, this procedure is a one-day smile operation.
Feel confident in the modern technology employed by zygomatic implants and win back your smile with this alternative procedure, give Maxillovendôme a call today for a consultation.