Zygomatic Implants in London

Zygomatic implants are specialised dental implant that is used for patients who don’t have enough bone density or height required for a traditional dental implant. This innovative and relatively new treatment can be used to replace teeth located in the upper jaw and can also be used in conjunction with traditional implants depending on the patient’s circumstance.

When your dentist assesses your suitability for dental implants, they will look for whether there’s enough bone mass for the implants to fuse with. If there is enough bone mass, then they can be confident that over time the dental implants will be structurally sound and fixed to the jaw. However, in some instances patients present with too little bone mass to fuse onto. Traditionally, your dentist might be forced to undertake a procedure called a sinus lift – this is where the bone in between the oral cavity and sinus cavity is artificially thickened to prevent your sinuses from being damaged by the new dental implants and additionally provide more support for the implants. Unfortunately, this often requires the patient to have to undergo this procedure first and then recover before dental implants can be placed.

Zygomatic implants are revolutionary in that rather than needing additional procedures, the dental implants are implanted into the cheekbone (also known as the ‘zygomatic bone’). This provides patients without the necessary bone mass in their jaw, to still have the dental implants fitted but just to a different anchor point.

What happens during zygomatic implant treatment?

• Like all dental implant treatments, we always start with a thorough and robust inspection of your mouth to make an assessment regarding what treatment you’re most suited for. At your initial consultation in our London dental practice, your dentist will talk through your dental hygiene routine and history and then will make a closer inspection of the affected areas you wish to treat.
• We will first make photos, stone plaster models of your teeth and a three-dimensional X-ray (CBCT). This is necessary to accurately determine an implant placement and length. The position of the implants is planned virtually on the computer. The position of the newly designed teeth which are visible in the 3D image serves as an orientation aid. This position is transferred into a drilling template.
• If your dentist feels that zygomatic implants are the best option for you, he/she will then book you in for an appointment to revisit the dental practice. Your dentist will talk you through what happens during the treatment, what you can expect and what you should do before and after the procedure.
• On the day of the treatment, you will arrive at our central London dental clinic where you’ll be greeted by our reception team. Your dental surgeon will confirm you’re happy to have the treatment and are in good health. You will likely receive some sedation to make sure that you’re not in any pain during the treatment.
• The entire procedure can take up to 7 hours which breaks down into 4 hours of treatment, 2 hours in observed recovery and then 1 hour of placing the temporary denture on the same day. The treatment works by fixing a replacement bridge using four dental implants. The zygomatic dental implants are longer in length so they can be surgically anchored to the cheekbone. After the zygomatic implants have been placed, the implant positioning is transferred onto a stone plaster model with an impression.
• Our dental technicians then construct a bridge, which can be screwed onto the new implant. Due to the very solid bone tissue of the zygomatic bone, the implant and the restoration can usually be used straight after the surgery with soft food.
• When the treatment is finished by our implantology specialist, you’ll be asked to wait 1 hour in recovery so we can be sure you’re fine to leave us. Most zygomatic implant procedures can be done on the same day.