When it comes to replacing missing teeth, dental implants are considered the gold standard, capable of providing a solution that’s essentially the next-best-thing to your natural ones. But if you have suffered bone loss in your jaw due to missing teeth, getting dental implants can sometimes pose a challenge. Fortunately, zygomatic dental implants can often help in these situations, even for those patients who might not traditionally be an ideal candidate for implants. Here’s what you need to know about this solution and how to tell if you’re a good candidate.
What Are Zygomatic Dental Implants?
Unlike traditional dental implants, zygomatic dental implants work by utilizing longer posts that are anchored in the upper jaw and cheekbone. With traditional implants, the shape and size mimic the natural teeth as closely as possible; however, this isn’t always an option, especially for patients with extensive bone loss. Zygomatic dental implants are able to take advantage of the dense bone of your upper jaw, called the zygomatic arch. With a sufficient amount of bone tissue to support them, these implants, while different, perform the same task as regular dental implant posts.
What Are Some Unique Benefits of Zygomatic Dental Implants?
The biggest benefit of zygomatic dental implants is that they often allow patients with extensive bone loss to receive their new teeth without the need for bone grafting. Another notable perk is that since the dense bone tissue of the upper jaw is used, the new teeth can often be attached on the very same day.
Am I a Good Candidate for Zygomatic Dental Implants?
The best—and only certain—way to know if you’re a good candidate for zygomatic dental implants is by attending a consultation with an oral surgeon. They’ll need to closely evaluate your tooth loss and examine your jawbone density, which isn’t something you can do yourself. An ideal candidate is someone who needs to replace teeth but has experienced extensive loss of the bone tissue that’s needed to support traditional dental implants.
While you might’ve been told in the past that dental implants weren’t an option, with zygomatic dental implants, you’re much closer to getting your natural smile back—as well as all the benefits that come along with it.
About the Practice
Under the leadership of Dr. Benjamin Keyser, our team serves the dental needs of patients in Medford and the surrounding communities. Dr. Keyser is a board-certified oral surgeon and a proud Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He offers a wide range of services, including restorative options like traditional and zygomatic dental implants. If you have any questions about the blog or you’ve been told in the past that you can’t get dental implants, we can help; contact us online or give us a call today! Telephone: (781) 628-2268.