Tremendous advances have occurred over the years with regard to implant rehabilitation. Clinicians now have the opportunity to treat patients who otherwise in the past might not have been able to undergo care. Using an alternative site of bone for anchorage, namely, the body of the zygoma, has proven to be a predicable way to treat such patients.

Whether it be for immediate loading or conventional loading, severe atrophy, or Type 4 bone, the use of the zygoma for anchorage enables less invasive and typically less time-consuming care for patients. This lecture will demystify the zygoma implant option and review the indications and overall use of this graftless solution. It is such an important and valid option in maxillary rehabilitation today that all clinicians should be familiar with what this solution entails.

Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:

1. Assess the resorptive process of the edentulous maxilla

2. Gain knowledge in treatment planning by highlighting the synergy between prosthetics and surgery

3. Review the options of surgical reconstruction of the maxilla compared to graftless solutions

4. Synthesize what zygoma implant rehabilitation entails and understand what patients undergo with this implant solution

5. Increase one’s knowledge of evidence supporting the zygoma implant and the indications for its use