Quadruple Zygomatic Implant Support for Retreatment of Resorbed Iliac Crest Bone Graft Transplant

Quadruple Zygomatic Implant Support for Retreatment of Resorbed Iliac Crest Bone Graft Transplant
Implant Dentistry: Volume 12(1) March 2003 pp 47-53
Balshi, Thomas J. DDS*; Wolfinger, Glenn J. DMD**; Petropoulos, Vicki C. DMD, MS***
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this report is to present a reliable surgical and prosthodontic protocol for the treatment of the atrophic maxilla by placing four zygomatic implants.
Materials and Methods: The surgical and prosthodontic procedures are described for the retreatment of a 63-year-old woman who had previously undergone an iliac crest bone graft transplant, which had resorbed.
Results: It is possible to place double zygomatic implants bilaterally, in addition to conventional implants in the anterior maxilla. Bone grafting procedures can be avoided, resulting in a fixed implant-supported maxillary prosthesis.
Conclusion: A logical treatment solution is four zygomatic implants for the atrophic maxilla, especially because the previous iliac crest bone graft had resorbed.
The fabrication of a maxillary denture with adequate retention and stability for patients with an atrophic edentulous maxilla presents a significant challenge for the prosthodontist. There exists a direct relationship between prosthesis retention and patient satisfaction. 1-3 Different techniques have been used successfully to restore the atrophic maxilla by creating more bone volume and better bone topography. The techniques used are: (1) iliac block grafting procedures;4,5 (2) maxillary sinus augmentation;6 (3) Le Fort I osteotomies;7 and (4) placement of implants in the pterygomaxillary region. 8,9 Despite all of these techniques, many patients are unable or unwilling to undergo the rigors of these procedures. The zygomatic implant is an alternative method of treatment for the atrophic maxillae. 10,11
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