Zygoma implant-supported prosthetic rehabilitation of a patient with a maxillary defect

This clinical report describes the successful management of a patient who underwent extensive resection of a maxillary cancer, by introduction of a maxillary obturator prosthesis using zygoma implants. The patient was a 57-year-old man with cancer of the upper anterior gingiva. The maxillary bone in the affected region had been extensively excised by radical surgery. Owing to loss of teeth retaining the denture, the existing prosthesis was unstable, and the patient experienced severe speech and mastication disorders. Four zygoma implants (two on each side), and two conventional dental implants (one each at both maxillary tuberosities) were used as denture retainers. The obturator prosthesis was stabilized by the implants, and the patient's oral function improved. High-level compatibility between the implant and surrounding tissue was obtained by mucosal regeneration around the implant. The results suggest that the combination of zygoma and conventional dental implants improves postoperative oral function by facilitating retention of the obturator prostheses.