A modified Delphi consensus for rehabilitations anchored to zygomatic implants

Area of Science:

• Dental Implantology
• Oral Rehabilitation
• Surgical Protocols

Background:

• Zygomatic implants offer high success rates but lack a standardized intervention protocol.
• Existing literature presents varied outcomes regarding complications associated with zygomatic implants.
• A unified approach for zygomatic implant procedures is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a consensus protocol for oral rehabilitation using zygomatic implant-anchored restorations.
• To establish agreement on each treatment step from diagnosis to follow-up.
• To provide a foundational document for clinicians and researchers in the field.

Main Methods:

• A modified Delphi process was employed, involving 63 experts in zygomatic implant rehabilitation.
• A systematic literature review informed the initial set of open-ended questions.
• Two rounds of questioning generated consensus on 71% of topics across six defined sections.

Main Results:

• A high level of consensus (≥70%) was achieved on most topics.
• The Medication and Surgery sections had the lowest agreement at 67%.
• The Follow-up section demonstrated strong consensus at 80%.

Conclusions:

• The modified Delphi process successfully created the first consensus protocol for zygomatic implant restorations.
• This protocol aims to standardize care and improve outcomes in complex implant cases.
• The established protocol serves as a crucial reference for practitioners and future research.