Zygomatic implants: A review

Abstract

Zygoma implants (or zygomatic implants) vary from traditional dental implants in that they attach in rather than maxilla (upper jaw) in the zygomatic bone (cheekbone). They can be used where the consistency or quantity of maxillary bone is insufficient for normal dental implant placement. Inadequate maxillary bone volume can be due to bone resorption as well as maxillary sinus pneumatization or a mixture of both. The required bone height for typical implant placement in the upper jaw posterior area should be approximately 10 mm to ensure appropriate implant survival. Where there is inadequate bone available, bone grafting procedures and sinus raising procedures should be done to increase bone volume. Procedures for bone grafting in the jaws have the downside of extended care, limiting denture wear, the morbidity of donor surgical site & graft rejection.