Evaluation of Survival Rate of Zygomatic Implants Placed Using Immediate Loading Protocol in an Atrophic Maxilla: A Case Series

Zygoma implants are evidence-based surgical and prosthetic solutions for the rehabilitation of atrophic posterior maxilla with both classical two-stage and immediate loading protocols. Zygoma implants avoid grafting and sinus lift procedures and therefore contribute to a shorter and more comfortable treatment. The zygomatic bone is superior to that of the posterior maxilla in providing anchorage and the success of the zygomatic implant is due to Quad cortical stabilization. Immediate loading decreases the time of treatment and increases the acceptance of the treatment by the patient.

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the survival rate of immediately loaded zygomatic implants in severely atrophic maxilla based on clinical criteria.

Five patients with completely edentulous atrophic posterior maxilla were included in the study. Nobel Biocare zygomatic implants were placed in the posterior region of completely edentulous atrophic maxilla and anterior conventional implants in selected subjects. The patients were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively and followed up for 12 months to assess clinical parameters like implant stability quotient, Lund–Mackay rhinosinusitis analysis, Ainamo and Bay gingival bleeding index, and evaluation of the position of the apical third of zygomatic implant.

The zygomatic implants and the anterior conventional implants were immediately loaded, and a survival rate of 100% was obtained in the current study. The mean ISQ achieved intraoperatively on the right and left side was 68.80 ± 4.14 Hz and 65.6 Hz, respectively, which suggested good primary stability. Postoperatively after one-year follow-up, the mean ISQ on the right and left side was 71.4 ± 3.6 Hz and 71.0 ± 3.80 Hz, respectively, and this indicated good secondary stability.

Completely edentulous atrophic maxilla rehabilitated with immediate loaded zygomatic implants in combination with anterior conventional implants revealed a survival rate of 100% in a one-year follow-up in the current study. There were no potential complications encountered during the follow-up period.