Bone loss is one of the most common issues people face as they age. This can cause several issues especially when the individual needs dental implants. In these cases, fortunately, the new advancements in the field have found a great solution: Zygomatic Implants. These implants are anchored in the zygomatic bone and they offer stability and restore the appearance of the smile and oral function. In this blog post we will talk about the main benefits that zygomatic implants offer for seniors who are dealing with bone loss and how this treatment will improve the quality of your life.
Some of the most common dental problems that adults suffer as they age include:
Changes in your bones as normal when you age and their density will start to decrease as you pass 30. This change will come due to hormonal changes and the mineral content. This issue cannot be prevented but it can be treated by some of the procedures we offer. Maintaining the density and size of the jawbone will not only benefit our appearance but it will also improve the oral health. The proper treatment for your specific jawbone issue should be decided with the help of a dental specialist.
When there is not enough bone in the upper jaw to allow the insertion of a standard implant, zygomatic implants are intended to support a whole arch of teeth. In order to provide the All on 4 dental implants a more stable base, the implant is anchored into the zygomatic bone or cheekbone.
These types of dental implants are positioned in the jaw bone at a 45-degree angle to enhance support and stability and eliminate the need for bone grafts. Compared to standard implants they are usually longer, ranging from 35 to 55 mm in length.
A group of dental specialists, usually consisting of an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and a prosthodontist, carry out the zygoma implant placement surgery under general anesthesia. A thorough assessment of the patient’s medical and dental history, together with a CT scan of the maxillary sinus and jawbone, is performed at the start of the procedure.
The dentist will make a tiny incision in the gum tissue and use specialized tools to prepare the zygomatic bone for the implant once the patient has been given the all-clear to proceed. After that, the implant is gently inserted into the bone and fixed.
In order to facilitate healing and osseointegration—the process by which the implant bonds to the bone—a temporary denture is affixed to the implant following its insertion. The temporary denture is taken off once the implant has completely integrated, and a permanent set of teeth is affixed to the implants.
Patients all around the world are requesting the Zygoma implantation technology, which makes sense given that it makes it feasible to complete full prostheses on implants in the lowest amount of time without sacrificing quality. Let’s now examine more closely the Zygoma implant’s main benefits, which include:
Zygoma implants can be installed even in cases where there is moderate to severe bone crest atrophy. Since the densest bone that is stable is used in this treatment, bone tissue augmentation is not necessary. This shortens the temporary prosthesis’ installation period by three to six months.
Eighty percent of the microcapillaries that make up the spongy layer of bone tissue are prone to inflammation, outside factors, and aging-related changes. In patients with long-term gum disease, the zygomatic bone is still dense. To avoid worsening an illness, it is important to practice proper hygiene and see a dentist on a regular basis.
Zygomatic implants are high quality and offer high strength. The quality of the material used in these implants will avoid any possible allergies and they provide a lifetime warranty, making them very safe and durable.
Due to the high-quality standards and materials used the zygoma implants will last for more than 50 years. They do not break and cause any problems to your jawbone so they won’t pose any further issues.
Although every patient is different and there are several procedures available, to be a suitable candidate for zygomatic implants you should meet the above-mentioned qualifications:
Zygomatic implants unlike traditional dental implants are only used to provide support to patients who have bone issues in their upper jaw. The implant procedure will go like this:
Like with any procedure, the process of zygomatic implants should start with a consultation with a specialized dentist. During this consultation the dentist will discuss with you the steps of the procedure, will evaluate your general health, and will determine whether this is the right procedure for you or if there is another one more suitable.
If your dentist decides that you are a suitable candidate for zygomatic implants he will use advanced technology like CT scans to create a treatment plan suitable for your needs and requirements. During this stage, the dentist will also determine the perfect placement for the implants to be inserted.
The dentist will use local anesthesia or IV sedation to ensure that you do not feel anything during the treatment. He will numb the region and feel more at ease to work in this manner.
The surgeon will make tiny incisions to gain access to the zygomatic bone once the anesthesia is implied. This allows them to see exactly where the implant should be placed. The role of your root will subsequently be properly replaced by the prosthetic teeth, which additionally provide a stronger foundation.
Once the implants are secured in their designated place, the next step is the abutment attachment. They will be placed on top of the implants and serve as connectors between the implants and the artificial teeth that will be placed on top.
Once the implant is placed on the jawbone, it needs to pass some time in order for it to heal and fuse. This will take a couple of months and the patient needs to take proper care of the area and should visit the dentist several times in order to see how the healing is going.
After several months pass by and the implants have fully healed, the dentist will attach the prosthetic teeth which will either be a denture or a dental bridge. The prosthetic teeth will be customized to fit with the patient’s mouth in color and size. Zygomatic implants provide a natural-looking option for patients with bone loss who are missing teeth.
As people age, a lot of them suffer from dental issues and one of the most common is progressive tooth loss. Usually, this dental issue will cause problems in nutrition, quality of life, and even self-esteem. Some elderly people use dentures because they are not aware of other options for replacing lost teeth. For a variety of reasons, zygomatic dental implants are a great option for tooth replacement for senior citizens.
This restoration method is most effective when the patient is not suitable for traditional dental implants. The materials that are attached to the bone provide a very secure base for the artificial teeth. To provide the best possible results, zygomatic implant procedures should be carried out by highly skilled dental surgeons. Furthermore, we will explain four main reasons why zygomatic implants are the right choice if you are suffering from insufficient jawbone.
Gum disease and years of poor dental hygiene can cause some elderly people to lose their natural teeth. Usually, the degree of tissue invasion during tooth replacement needs to be determined by the level of the issue that the patient is having. For instance, numerous anchors are needed when using conventional implants on an older patient who is missing multiple teeth. As a result, the surgery would need significant gum tissue excavation, both soft and hard.
Zygomatic implant installation is less invasive than other implant procedures since it involves fewer drilling and incisions. One zygomatic implant may often hold three or four prosthetic teeth. Therefore, there is limited oral tissue excavation during the operation since fewer anchor sites are needed. Consequently, older people do not need to worry about previously unheard-of tissue damage if they choose to go for zygomatic implants.
Untreated tooth loss reduces tissue resilience and slows down oral tissue regeneration. As a result, older individuals with a history of tooth loss recover more slowly following an invasive dental operation than do younger patients who have recently lost teeth. Older adults who recover slowly suffer from several negative effects, such as an elevated risk of infection. Prolonged healing also alters the connective tissue’s structural organization, which results in scarring.
The recovery process of an elderly patient has been made easier by the less invasive nature of zygomatic dental implant placement, which leaves little incisions. As a result, the wounds heal more quickly, pose a lower risk of infection, and encourage the strength and quality of the repairing connective tissues. In general, elderly patients return to speaking and daily activities, such as eating nutritious food, more quickly.
Age-related bone loss becomes quicker by decreased tissue regeneration. Reduced stimulation on the jawbone, specifically owing to partial toothlessness, promotes bone resorption. Unfortunately, the process also weakens implant durability and decreases tissue density. Thus, to guarantee a safe implant foundation on an older person’s jaw, appropriate testing and consultations before the treatment are necessary.
Zygomatic implants will provide a strong and enduring foundation for prosthetic teeth. During this procedure, the cheekbone, which will serve as the attachment point, will provide a lot of stability. The zygomatic bone is dense and also still, and this will guarantee that the implant will not be lost and will last for a very long time.
With traditional dental implants, the patients should undergo a dental bone grafting procedure. The alveolar bone and the graft work together to create a robust anchor for artificial teeth. However, the bone grafting procedure is an afterthought that causes a delay in the dental implant installation process. For instance, the patient must wait for the graft to be healed before the traditional implant implantation.
On the other hand, the implantation of zygomatic implants is a single-step, outpatient dental procedure. Because the connection technique places anchor points on the thick zygomatic bone, the bone grafting procedure will be eliminated. As a result, patients only experience one stage of recovery, which is very profitable for older patients who are missing several teeth.
Some older people with partial toothlessness believe they have limited teeth replacement options. However, zygomatic dental implants are developed using advanced technology in oral and maxillofacial surgery and are ideal for elderly patients.
