Zygomatic implant: what is it?
The zygomatic implant is a particular type of dental implant that is used when, in the upper arch of the oral cavity, the available bone is present in very small quantities or completely absent.
This is a titanium implant that is inserted into the zygomatic bone of the maxilla.
The teeth of our mouth are in fact a total of 32, divided equally between the upper arch, where there are 16, and the lower arch, where the other 16 teeth are placed.
The bone that supports the upper teeth is called the jaw, while the jaw is the one that houses the lower arch.
Considering in our specific case the upper arch, the jaw is in turn grafted with the zygomatic bone, which becomes the fulcrum of this type of dental implant called zygomatic implant.
When does the need for a zygomatic implant arise?
During the life of a person, it may happen that for various reasons (trauma, genetics, diabetes, age, etc..), there is not enough bone to accommodate their natural teeth, but not even to be able to intervene with a traditional mobile prosthesis (denture) or with dental implants screw.
This is why the solution is presented by going to intervene directly on the zygomatic bone, definitively renouncing the discomforts resulting from a bone transplant operation.
At Degidi clinic, the dental centre of excellence in Bologna, we work by inserting the implant into the zygomatic bone so that we can resort to immediate loading: a technique that makes it possible to insert the implants and fix the final prosthesis in a single operation, immediately giving the patient the opportunity to return to smiling and chewing, shortening the recovery time.
How does the implementation of a zygomatic implant work?
The zygomatic implant procedure involves the grafting, on the bone of the jaw, of 4 or more titanium screws of a length usually between 2 and 5 cm.
These screws will then become grafts on which to attach a brand new dental arch, which will give the patient a regular and normalized chewing, without forgetting the aesthetic factor.
The Degidi clinic's patented technology also ensures superior quality at lower costs, combined with a non-invasive approach to improving the quality of life of our patients.
The zygomatic implant makes it possible to avoid replacing the jawbone, an operation with little probability of success that is unlikely to restore the normal trim of the upper arch.
The bone graft also has a longer time frame (minimum 6 months) and is quite painful and annoying.
The zygomatic implants, on the other hand, by going to settle directly on the zygomatic process, allow to intervene in a very short time (about three days) and to avoid the inconveniences due to bone replacement. In addition, these operations have much higher success rates than bone replacement (98% for zygomatic implants, 62% for bone replacement).
Advantages of zygomatic implantation
Considering the pros and cons of this treatment, for the same initial cost and health conditions, the zygomatic implant is always preferable to bone reconstruction, as it implies:
- Less time wasted
- Reduced suffering in the post-operative period
- Higher probability of success
- Minor problems for those affected by the operation
The Degidi Clinic in Bologna uses zygomatic implants as a revolutionary alternative to bone transplantation.