Zaga Zygoma Upper Jaw Implants in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Zygoma Implants:

THE NO BONE/NO PROBLEM SOLUTION TO REBUILDING THE UPPER JAW

What Are Zygoma Implants?

Designed specifically for patients with extensive bone loss in the upper jaw, Zygoma implants are tilted and much longer than traditional implants. This allows Dr. Sultan to place Zygoma implants up into the patient’s cheekbone (clinically known as the zygomatic bone). This bone is very dense and provides excellent anchoring for the implants and the arches of artificial teeth attached to them.

Am I A Candidate For Zygoma Implants?

If you’ve had dentures for a long time, or if you’ve been missing many or most of your teeth for a long time, you’re probably a candidate for Zygoma implants. The criteria for these implants are bone loss in the back of the upper jaw that would make it virtually impossible to place traditional implants. These patients could have bone grafting for a year or so, but implants placed into grafted bone often still fail. If this sounds like you Dr. Sultan could place Zygoma implants and change your smile and your life.

What Are The Benefits Of Zygoma Implants?

When a patient has had dentures or has simply gone a long time missing many teeth the bone resorbs and deteriorates. This is especially true at the back part of the upper jaw. For these patients, traditional dental implants are not possible unless they have extensive bone grafting surgeries to rebuild bone in the back of the upper jaw. This adds months and months to the procedure, and it may still not create sufficient bone mass. Placing traditional implants can often fail, due to the bone issues.

Zygoma implants change everything for these patients. Rather than needing extensive, painful grafting, Dr. Sultan places two (or four) Zygoma implants at an angle, anchoring them in the cheekbone. Other traditional implants are placed where needed to fully anchor full-arch prostheses on top and bottom. This enables patients who would have had to live with full traditional dentures a far better option — implant-supported dentures. Now the patient no longer has to deal with the slipping, food avoidance, continued bone loss, and other problems with dentures. They can eat what they want and be confident in their smile and the implants anchoring their full-arch prostheses.

When and Why are they Used?

Depending on patterns of bone loss over time, not all patients missing teeth in the upper jaw (MAXILLA) have sufficient bone for the “All on 4” technique. In these instances, Dr. Sultan may recommend the placement of ZYGOMA implants to provide additional support where conventional implants can not.

The upper jaw is divided in to 3 zones based on the type of tooth loss. When there is insufficient bone in one or more zones, conventional “All on 4” implant placement may not be enough to support a full complement of tooth replacement.

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Originally designed for patients suffering from bone loss due to cancer or trauma, the ZYGOMA implant is indicated to make use of available bone in the CHEEKBONE to avoid use of extensive bone grafting for conventional implant placement. These implants are made of titanium and are 4-5 times the length of conventional dental implants. Once placed, they act and are restored similarly to standard implants.

The use of Computer Guided Surgery, "All-On-4" technology and Zygoma Implants require specialized training over and above that of most implant surgeons.

The proper use of ZYGOMA implants for those patients missing much of their upper jaw allows for successful treatment of the vast majority of edentulous patients WITHOUT THE NEED FOR BONE GRAFTING!

NO BONE?........NO PROBLEM!!

Dr. Sultan has trained extensively with the inventors of the ZYGOMA implants both in the United States and Europe. He utilizes the EXTRAMAXILLARY placement technique, avoiding trauma to the maxillary sinuses. He is one of the very few providers of advanced ZYGOMA IMPLANT PLACEMENT IN SOUTH FLORIDA!

How Are Zygoma Implants Placed?

These procedures are different from the straightforward placement of a traditional dental implant, and Dr. Sultan is one of the few oral surgeons in Florida with the necessary training. For these procedures, he uses computer guided imagery for placement of the Zygoma implants. These are then screwed in at an angle that allows them to enter the cheekbone, instead of the jawbone used with traditional implants. As with traditional implants, the lengthy Zygoma implants are screwed into place.

Once the Zygoma implants are in place, Dr. Sultan then usually inserts four traditional implants into the forward portion of the upper jaw. Four to six traditional implants are placed in the lower jaw. Two or more of these lower implants may be placed at an angle, as is common in our All-on-4 implant procedures.

In most patients receiving Zygoma, a period of time will be needed to allow both the Zygoma implants and the traditional implants to become integrated into the upper and lower jaws. When Dr. Sultan feels the implants are sufficiently anchored, he will attach the abutments (posts) and your full-arch artificial teeth.

How Long Does The Zygoma Implant Process Take?

This depends on the patient’s rate of bone growth. Dr. Sultan can place the Zygoma implants and the other implants in a single day. From there, the healing rate/bone growth rate varies by the patient. During your consultation, he’ll discuss the likely timeline with you.

What is the Implant Process Like?

The dental implant process is carefully planned from beginning to end. We do our best to anticipate your questions, including those you may not realize you have! During your consultation for dental implants, Dr. Sultan will discuss each step of your treatment process and what you can expect. In general, the implant process involves a minor procedure during which the implant posts are inserted into their proper location in the upper and/or lower jaw. After the implants are in place, they need to heal. This allows the new bone tissue to grow firmly around each post so your replacement teeth can feel perfectly stable. This is referred to as osseointegration, and it can take from a few months to more than six months. You will come into the office several weeks after your procedure to have imaging performed as a way to observe how your implants are healing.

How Can I Prepare for My Implant Procedure?

After your consultation and decision to undergo the implant process, you may have very little to do except schedule some time off! Dr. Sultan or a member of our team can discuss the steps that they suggest for you. For example, if you smoke, you may need to quit. You may be prescribed antibiotics to begin taking sometime before your procedure. Other ways to prepare for dental implants include readying your home to be as comfortable a recovery area as possible. You may need to eat soft foods for a short time, so you can begin preparing a healthy, convenient menu. You may also need to avoid taking certain medications and supplements in the weeks before your procedure so you do not face unnecessary bleeding risks. Our team is available to answer your questions at any time before your dental implant treatment.

Are Zygomatic Implants Painful?

Getting Zygomatic dental implants is similar to having bone grafting done before receiving dental implants. The discomfort that patients report after each is nearly identical, and, fortunately, not as bad as they had anticipated. In many cases, the soreness that occurs after the dental implant procedure is manageable with over-the-counter medication. As a dental implant specialist who has received considerable training to perform the most advanced techniques, Dr. Sultain is also well-versed in knowing how to manage discomfort. Suggestions can be discussed with you before your implant surgery.

Are There Any Foods or Drinks I Should Avoid After Receiving Implants?

Yes. Typically, patients who receive dental implants are advised to avoid foods that are hard, crunchy, and sticky. The goal is to allow the implant posts to integrate into the surrounding bone with as little disruption as possible, and chewing is a disruption. While your gums are still healing after the minor surgical procedure, you should avoid hot and spicy foods, as well as those that are acidic, like vinegar. This can help prevent unnecessary irritation.

What is the Recovery Like?

Even though the zygomatic implants are longer than traditional implants, your recovery from this procedure may be less than you would experience if you had bone grafting to augment the jawbone. While you'll likely need to eat soft foods for at least a few days, studies indicate that zygomatic implants can hold a denture as soon as the day after their placement. This means you may have no more than 24 hours without a natural-looking smile. Dr. Sultan or one of our clinical staff can also discuss with you how you should care for your artificial teeth and gums, which oral care products would be ideal, and more. During your recovery, you're encouraged to call our office if questions or concerns arise.

How Long Is Recovery After Receiving Zygoma Implants?

The recovery period with these procedures is similar to the process for traditional implants. The implants are placed, and the gum incisions are then allowed to heal. Next a period of between six weeks and six months passes as the implants integrate fully into the jawbone, and for the Zygoma implants, the cheekbone. At this point, Dr. Sultan will attach the abutments to all of the implants, and the gums are allowed to heal again for a few weeks. When they are fully healed, you return, and Dr. Sultan attaches your permanent, anchored, strong, full arches of artificial teeth.

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The decision between the use of the above techniques vs. conventional implant surgery is based on your condition, the type of final appliance, and a decision between you, your restorative dentist, and Dr. Sultan.

illustration of zaga zygoma upper jaw implant placement process
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Schedule Your Consultation Today!

For more information about ZAGA ZYGOMA Implants, or to schedule your consultation with Dr. Sultan, call us today at 954.771.8772. Our practice serves Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding areas of Florida.

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