Are zygoma implants more painful than standard implants?
There is usually more swelling compared to standard implants, but the pain aspect is no different, and most patients can use traditional over-the-counter medication.
When do you consider zygomatic implants?
Zygomatic implants are used to support the upper jaw in patients who lack bone volume or density. When standard implants aren’t stable enough, many dentists will avoid immediate teeth and place a removable denture for 4-6 months of healing while the implants integrate. Instead, zygomatic implants can be used for predictable, stable bone to support immediate teeth.
How will I know if my jawbone is too thin or poor quality?
A 3D CT scan is needed to diagnose this problem adequately. Regular X-rays can easily mislead dentists that you have enough bone to support traditional implants, only to discover that the bone is too soft during surgery. That is why we incorporate sophisticated software with the CT scan to view the bone density accurately. In this manner, we can determine if you will need zygomatic implants before we even begin the procedure.
Are there more risks with zygomatic implants?
Zygomatic implants are longer than standard implants because they anchor on the underside of the cheekbones. The surgery is more involved and should only be performed by highly experienced surgeons who perform these procedures regularly.
There is more associated swelling and bruising, but the risks for failure are limited, just like with conventional dental implants. There are additional risks with this surgery, such as sinusitis and potential effects on the nerves in the region; however, significant risks are uncommon with surgeons who have experience with this procedure.
When do you consider zygomatic implants?
Zygomatic implants are used when the bone amount or quality is inadequate for conventional dental implants, so the only alternative is to rebuild the bone with supportive bone grafting.
Supportive bone grafts typically need 6-12 months of healing to support teeth. So patients wear dentures while healing takes place. Non-supportive bone grafting is simply a patch for empty spaces or to fill gaps, but the jawbone is sufficiently solid and stable to support immediate teeth.
Zygoma implants do not need supportive bone grafts. As a result, the overall cost of treatment is less, and healing times are shortened.