Prosthodontic management of maxillectomy patients with dental implants in residual zygomatic bone: a preliminary report.

PURPOSE: This report describes the 3-year follow-up of clinical and radiographic evaluation of soft and hard tissue outcomes for dental implants placed in residual zygoma in patients with surgical resections. Obturator retention and support, together with a questionnaire evaluation of the patients' satisfaction before and after insertion of implants, also were carried out. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A novel approach to the palatomaxillary reconstruction of eight maxillectomy patients (mean age: 40 years) using dental implants inserted into the remaining zygomatic bone on the affected side and left unloaded for 3 months is described. Ball (O-ring) abutments were used with acrylic resin soft tissue conformers after surgical soft tissue thinning above the implants. All patients were radiographically evaluated and clinically documented at regular follow-up appointments. RESULTS: The 3-year follow-up period showed no implant failures, stable peri-implant soft tissue level, and an increase in all of the patients' satisfaction with their implant-supported obturators. CONCLUSIONS: Osseointegrated implants in residual zygomas are an integral part of oral rehabilitation strategies, with minimal cost and complications, for maxillectomy patients. This short-term record underscores both the potential of such management interventions and the importance of even longer-term clinical outcome documentation.