Immediately loaded zygomatic implants: a 5-year prospective study

Purpose: This prospective study was designed to assess the long-term outcome of immediately loaded zygomatic implants placed in atrophic maxillae. Materials and methods: Forty-two consecutively treated patients received 81 zygomatic implants and 140 conventional implants for oral rehabilitation and were followed for 5 years. Complete arch rehabilitation was accomplished in 37 patients and partial arch rehabilitation in 5 (one zygomatic implant in combination with two conventional implants). Outcome measures were prosthetic and implant failures, and complications. Results: Twelve zygomatic and 22 conventional implants in 6 patients were not reviewed as patients were lost to follow-up. One zygomatic implant was removed at the 3-year follow-up visit because of lack of osseointegration and disturbances around the zygomatic region. The success rate of zygomatic implants was 98.5% (68/69). Six conventional implants were lost, with a success rate of 94.9% (112/118). One of the definitive prostheses was changed after 4 years of follow-up. Six complications occurred during the entire follow-up period. Conclusions: The 5-year prognosis was found to be good for immediately loaded zygomatic implants together with conventional implants in severely resorbed maxillae. Keywords: dental implants, edentulism, prospective study, zygomatic implants