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Updated: Jan 9, 2026

Real-Time Dynamic Navigation System for the Precise Quad-Zygomatic Implant Placement in a Patient with a Severely Atrophic Maxilla
Published on: October 18, 2021
Variability associated with the infrazygomatic region for miniscrew insertion in patients with different growth
Wiley Liou1, Matthew J Kesterke2, Veerasathpurush Allareddy3
1Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, Tex.
Introduction:
The purpose of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the infrazygomatic bone parameters (buccal bone thickness and buccal bone height) for miniscrew placement. An additional aim was to compare and contrast the infrazygomatic bone parameters in growing and nongrowing males and females with hyperdivergent, normodivergent, and hypodivergent skeletal patterns.
Methods:
Cone-beam computed tomography scans were obtained from 718 deidentified orthodontic patients and categorized by growth status (growing and nongrowing), sex (male and female), and skeletal pattern (hyperdivergent, hypodivergent, and normodivergent). Buccal bone thickness and buccal bone height were measured at 3 locations: 2P-1M (between the maxillary second premolar and first molar), 1M (between the mesial and distal roots of the maxillary first molar), and 1M-2M (between the maxillary first and second molars) and at 3 levels above base plane (BP): 5BP, 8BP, and 11BP, which were 5, 8, and 11 mm above the alveolar crest, respectively.
Results:
Males had significantly greater buccal bone thickness than females at 5BP and 8BP (P <0.05). Males also had greater buccal bone height than females at the 1M-2M location. Buccal bone thickness increased, and buccal bone height decreased significantly as it moved posteriorly from the 2P-1M location to the 1M-2M location. Buccal bone thickness was higher in growing females and males than in nongrowing females and males. Multiple linear regression demonstrated a significant relationship between buccal bone thickness and the prediction variables: skeletal pattern and sex. Buccal bone thickness was greater in the hypodivergent skeletal pattern than in the hyperdivergent skeletal pattern at the level of 8BP in the location of 2P-1M and at the level of 11BP in the locations of 2P-1M and 1M. Buccal bone height was greater in the hyperdivergent skeletal pattern at the 2P-1M and 1M locations than in the hypodivergent and normodivergent skeletal patterns.
Conclusions:
Because of adequate buccal bone thickness and acceptable buccal bone height, the 1M-2M location was considered the optimal insertion site for the placement of infrazygomatic miniscrews. Patients with a hyperdivergent skeletal pattern showed reduced buccal bone thickness and increased buccal bone height. Buccal bone thickness was significantly greater in males than in females in all skeletal patterns.

