Rehabilitation of totally atrophied maxilla by means of four zygomatic implants and fixed prosthesis: a 6-40-month follow-up

The zygomatic implant is an alternative to bone grafting in extremely resorbed maxilla. This study evaluates the results of a consecutive cohort of 20 patients (mean age 56 years) with extremely resorbed maxillas provided with four zygomatic implants. The first 10 patients had a two-stage procedure, the next 10 next patients benefited from a one-stage surgical procedure and one of them had flapless guided surgery with Nobelguide (R) in development and immediate function. The same surgical drilling protocol, according to BRANEMARK'S procedure, was applied to all the patients. Except for one patient who lost three implants, 18 patients received a fixed Procera (R) implant bridge and another an overdenture retained by a screwed bar fixed on the four zygomatic implants. The cumulative survival rate after 40 months is 96%. Although bone augmenting procedures such as onlay grafts and sinus grafts are popular and well-documented, the four zygomatic implants procedure results in less morbidity, shorter delays between anatomical reconstruction and functional rehabilitation and can provide immediate or early loading with immediate function. Four zygomatic implants and a fixed bridge seem to be a valuable technique for the rehabilitation of extremely resorbed maxillas.