Zygomatic Implants And Who Makes A Good Candidate For Them
If you have lost most or all of the teeth in your upper jaw, you may be wondering if dental implants are an option for you. Dental implants are prosthetic devices that are used to replace the roots of missing teeth.
Dentists insert the implants into the jawbone to support a crown, bridge, or denture. They are often considered the most natural-looking and durable solution for missing teeth.
However, not everyone is a good candidate for conventional dental implants. If you have suffered from bone loss in your upper jaw, you may not have enough jawbone material to hold the implants securely. Bone deterioration can happen due to aging, gum disease, tooth extraction, or wearing dentures for a long time. In this case, you may need a bone grafting procedure to increase the amount of bone in your jaw, which can be costly, invasive, and time-consuming.
Fortunately, there is another option for people who have insufficient bone in their upper jaw: zygomatic dental implants. Here is a bit of information about zygomatic implants and who makes a good candidate for them.
What Are Zygomatic Implants?
These are special implants that are securely positioned in the zygomatic bone, which is a part of your cheekbone. These implants tend to be longer than conventional implants. This extra length allows them to reach the cheekbone, bypassing the need for bone grafting. The implants have been used successfully to restore full palates of teeth in patients who have severe bone loss in their upper jaw.
How Are Zygomatic Implants Placed?
The procedure for placing zygomatic implants is similar to that of conventional implants. The surgery is usually done under general anesthesia. During the placement, the surgeon makes an incision in the gum above the upper teeth and drills through the maxillary sinus until they reach the zygomatic bone. Then, zygomatic implants are inserted into the bone at an angle. The implants are then connected to a fixed bridge or denture that holds the artificial teeth.
What Are the Advantages of Zygomatic Implants?
One of the advantages of zygomatic implants is that they allow for immediate loading, which means that you can have your new teeth attached on the same day as the surgery. This eliminates the need for wearing temporary dentures and waiting for several months for the implants to fuse with the bone. However, some patients may need a second surgery after a couple of months to adjust the fit and appearance of their prosthesis.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Zygomatic Implants?
Zygomatic implants are not suitable for everyone. They are mainly indicated for patients who have no teeth or very few teeth left in their upper jaw and who have severe bone loss that makes conventional implants impossible or risky.
If you are interested in zygomatic implants, schedule a consultation with a dentist in your local area. For more information on zygomatic dental implants, contact a professional near you.
