Rehabilitation of the edentulous maxilla with the zygoma concept: a 7-year prospective study.

PURPOSE: The success of zygomatic implants following the two-stage, as well as the immediate loading, concept has been well documented. This graftless approach for the treatment of the completely edentulous resorbed maxilla allows for rehabilitation with an implant-supported fixed prosthesis. The purpose of this prospective study is to report on the 7-year follow-up of patients treated with zygomatic implants in conjunction with two to four anterior maxillary implants placed into immediate function and restored with a definitive fixed prosthesis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study involved 36 patients treated with 74 zygomatic implants and 98 anterior maxillary implants supporting fixed prostheses between 2003 and 2005.

RESULTS: Two zygomatic implants in two patients were identified as mobile at stage-two surgery; replacement implants resulted in successful osseointegration. All anterior maxillary implants were determined as osseointegrated at stage two. Three patients experienced unilateral maxillary sinus infections that were refractory to oral antibiotics and were treated with functional endoscopic sinus surgery, which resolved the infections. All patients treated with the immediate loading concept were restored with definitive fixed profile prostheses as planned.

CONCLUSION: The high survival rate, reduced morbidity, and high rate of patient acceptance for the zygomatic implant concept allowed the rehabilitation of the resorbed edentulous maxilla with fixed implant-supported prosthesis, rendering this procedure a viable and a predictable treatment option.