FIXED TEETH OPTION USING
ZYGOMATIC IMPLANTS IN CARDIFF
Zygomatic Implants
What do you do if you want fixed teeth but you don't have enough bone?
In these scenarios we can use specially designed implants that anchor in to the bones above your upper jaw, called your "Zygomas". These are part of your skull so there is usually enough bone in these sites to provide anchorage for Zygomatic Implants even when you don't have enough bone where you lost your teeth.
This allows you to still have fixed teeth.
Our zygomatic implants are placed by our Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
Mr Neil Scott who has trained extensively in complex facial reconstruction and has even published articles on the use of zygomatic implants in well respected scientific journals. Our zygomatic implant cases are not only performed by a dual-qualified Consultant Maxillofacial Surgeon, but with the assistance of our Specialist Oral Surgeon and Clinical Director Mr Craig Mallorie. Therefore our patients benefit from the combined experience of over 40 years of surgical expertise during their treatment to help provide them the
highest quality level of care and a predictable result.
This combined surgical management approach is unique in Wales.
Allows fixed rehabilitation of the upper jaw even in patients who have been told they do not have enough bone for conventional implants.
We are frequently trusted by dentists and doctors to treat them and their families.
STAGE 1
CONSULTATION
Firstly you would meet with Mr Mallorie and Mr Scott for a full assessment of your mouth and your jaws. We sometimes do a 3D X-ray of your jaw at this stage to see if you would be a candidate for a "same-day" fixed teeth dental implant solution. This procedure is also known as "All-on-X", "teeth-in-a-day", "proarch", "All-on-4", "All-on-6", etc. If the scan shows that there are teeth present in positions where we need to place the implants, or that there is not going to be enough bone for traditional implant placements, then the most predictable treatment pathway is for us to remove the teeth first, provide a temporary removable prosthesis whilst we let the sites heal and then provide the implant treatment. If the scan shows there is not enough bone in the conventional sites that is when we look to do zygomatic implants.
STAGE 2
TOOTH REMOVAL (IF REQUIRED)
Any remaining decayed/broken/loose teeth would be removed and an immediate temporary full upper denture provided initially. i.e. the denture would be prepared ahead of time and fitted on the same day as the extractions. We then leave the sites to heal for three months. During which time your bone fills the sockets and the gum seals across.
STAGE 3
3D X-RAY (CBCT SCAN)
Three months after the teeth have been removed we would then perform a 3D x-ray using our state of the art cone beam CT scanner. This allows us to assess your anatomy for implant placements. If there is a good volume of bone present then we would progress to conventional implant surgery. But if there was not enough bone volume present for conventional implants then we could plan for the placement of zygomatic implants.
STAGE 4
SURGERY
First thing in the morning the surgery would be formed by Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon Mr Neil Scott with Oral Surgeon Mr Craig Mallorie assisting. Treatment is provided in one of our comfortable surgical suites under intravenous sedation. The zygomatic implants are placed and then impressions and records are then taken. You can then either head home for a few hours or relax in our spa-like recovery room until your temporary fixed bridge has been fabricated by a local Award-winning dental technician.
This bridge will be fitted at the end of that very same day.
STAGE 5
IMPLANT TEMPORARY RESTORATION (SAME DAY AS SURGERY)
​In the afternoon on the SAME DAY as your implant surgery we then fit a fixed temporary bridge on to your newly placed implants. That way you have fixed teeth to end the day with. You must then maintain a soft diet for three months whilst your bone heals on to the implant surfaces. After three months we would begin fabricating the final bridgework to complete the rehabilitation.
STAGE 6
FINAL RESTORATION
We usually then wait three months for the site to heal and for your bone to fuse on to the implant surfaces via a process called "osseointegration". After that is completed we then take final impressions of the implant positions along with jaw records and images to custom-design your new teeth. We work with one of the Northern Hemisphere's top dental laboratories based in Oxfordshire to deliver the highest quality result for you from their award-winning dental technicians. Once fabricated the final bridge is secured permanently to the implants. The bridge has a titanium framework with PMMA teeth and composite gingival work, or you can upgrade the teeth to zirconia/ceramic if you wish.
STAGE 7
MAINTENANCE
We then usually review the completed restoration six months after the inital fit to check all is stable and that your cleaning routine is appropriate for the site. It is very important to look after your dental implants the same as you would your natural teeth and regular follow-ups of the site would be planned in order to try and help ensure it has a long lifespan in your mouth.
