Curious to learn about zygomatic dental implants? A brief FAQ about them answered by our team

As the success of the procedure has advanced, more and more people are considering having oral implants fitted to replace lost teeth.

Fitted to your jaw, these tiny titanium screws fuse with your jawbone, and once set in place, a prosthetic tooth or teeth are then attached, concealing gaps and restoring the strength to your bite.

But if you have approached a dental team about having oral implants fitted and have been told you aren’t suited for the traditional endosteal option, it can be easy to become disheartened. However there are other types of oral implants available and in this article, we will discuss one of them.

At High Dental Implants, we know a great deal of experience in dental implants in Melbourne and can advise you on which type is the most suitable for you and your circumstances. We have fitted hundreds of implants over the years, and so, soon you can have an implant fitted which is perfect for your requirements and perfect for your smile. Which is excellent news for our patients.

In this introductory FAQ session, we will be looking at zygomatic dental implants in Melbourne, to help you get the basics of this handy implant alternative for your information.

What is a zygomatic implant?

Physically, zygomatic dental implants in Melbourne look very similar to the standard endosteal implant. Except, they are about 3 times longer and a bit thicker!

They are designed to be used on the upper jaw and are fitted to the zygoma bone (the cheekbone) as opposed to the jaw, hence the length difference.

They are usually made from titanium and depending on how many teeth you are having replaced, you can have 2 fitted.

Why would I need a zygomatic implant?

Fitting oral implants to the upper jaw has always been trickier, but this is not the reason for zygomatic implants.

If you have lost jawbone, are suffering from a degenerative bone disease (like osteoporosis) or have thinner jawbone than required to have an endosteal implant fitted to the upper jaw, zygomatic implants can allow the fitting to go ahead without putting stress on the jawbone.

Is the fitting more difficult?

It is a bit trickier!

The length of the hole required to fit a zygomatic implant is longer and needs to be more carefully created. It passes through the jawbone and into the zygoma, meaning that the surgery can take up to 3 times as long to complete.

Is the failure rate higher?

It is a bit higher than endosteal options, but only just. Success rates of both procedures 12 years after surgery only differ by 1%!

But remember, as is the way with more conventional oral implants, you will still need to see our team regularly and keep the prosthetic teeth clean and healthy to prevent rejection and failure of the implant.

How long do zygomatic implants last compared to endosteal implants?

Compared to endosteal, zygomatic implants can offer you the same longevity; usually around 15-20 years depending on your health and secondary lifestyle choices. Very reassuring for patients who need this procedure.

DISCLAIMER

All treatment carries risks. Individual consultation is required with one of our practitioners to ensure that the treatment is right for you.