A Retrospective Study of a Multi-Center Case Series of 452 Zygomatic Implants Placed Over 5 Years for Treatment of Severe Maxillary Atrophy.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of the severely resorbed maxilla traditionally has been managed with such protocols as sinus elevation, bone and soft-tissue grafting, and osteotomy procedures. The use of zygomatic implants has made it possible to circumvent such procedures, allowing immediate loading of implants with fixed prostheses. OBJECTIVE: This study reports the success rate of 452 zygomatic implants placed and restored in 249 patients over 5 years in a multi-center setting. Additionally, case examples are presented. METHODS: The authors conducted a multi-center case series study. Inclusion criteria were ASA 1 or ASA 2, nonsmoking adults over age 30, fully or partially edentulous, with severely atrophic maxillae. These patients had zygomatic implants placed over a 5-year period with a follow-up of 5 years. The survival rate of these implants is described. RESULTS: A total of 249 patients, aged 34 to 80, had 452 zygomatic implants placed. Survival rate was 95% for quad zygoma; 99.1% for unilateral zygoma with additional premaxillary implants; 98.7% for bilateral single zygoma with additional premaxillary implants; and 100% for unilateral zygoma as a distal extension in implant-supported fixed prostheses. Overall implant survival rate was 97.6%. CONCLUSION: This study supports reports of zygomatic implants having a high success rate while allowing an array of ancillary procedures to be avoided. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The use of zygomatic implants in the atrophic maxilla has shown to be a reliable treatment option for patients selecting to not undergo advanced bone-replacing protocols.