BACKGROUND: Placement of extrasinus zygomatic implants to support implant-supported rehabilitation is still controversial due to the scarcity of data. PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of 94 extrasinus zygomatic implants, installed laterally to the maxillary sinus, for rehabilitation of the edentulous atrophic maxillae. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 42 patients (mean age 58 years) with severely atrophic maxillae were treated between November 2010 and July 2011, and followed up until July 2014. A total of 273 implants (94 zygomatic implants and 179 conventional implants) were used. The patients were followed in a standardized clinical and radiographic method. RESULTS: During the 3-year study period, 1 zygomatic implant and 4 conventional implants failed, resulting in a survival rate of 98.9% and 97.7% respectively. All restorations with titanium-welded bars were installed either 3 days after surgery (immediate loading) or 6 months after surgery (delayed loading), and were successful until the last follow-up appointment, except for minor technical problems. No patient presented any type of sinus adverse event. No other significant occurrences were reported. CONCLUSION: This 3-year clinical follow-up study indicates that extrasinus zygomatic implants represent predictable treatment option atrophic maxillae. Further longitudinal prospective clinical studies are necessary to confirm these results.
BACKGROUND: Placement of extrasinus zygomatic implants to support implant-supported rehabilitation is still controversial due to the scarcity of data. PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of 94 extrasinus zygomatic implants, installed laterally to the maxillary sinus, for rehabilitation of the edentulous atrophic maxillae. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 42 patients (mean age 58 years) with severely atrophic maxillae were treated between November 2010 and July 2011, and followed up until July 2014. A total of 273 implants (94 zygomatic implants and 179 conventional implants) were used. The patients were followed in a standardized clinical and radiographic method. RESULTS: During the 3-year study period, 1 zygomatic implant and 4 conventional implants failed, resulting in a survival rate of 98.9% and 97.7% respectively. All restorations with titanium-welded bars were installed either 3 days after surgery (immediate loading) or 6 months after surgery (delayed loading), and were successful until the last follow-up appointment, except for minor technical problems. No patient presented any type of sinus adverse event. No other significant occurrences were reported. CONCLUSION: This 3-year clinical follow-up study indicates that extrasinus zygomatic implants represent predictable treatment option atrophic maxillae. Further longitudinal prospective clinical studies are necessary to confirm these results.