All-On-4® pterygoid and zygomatic implants allow clients with upper jaw bone loss to restore their smile with full mouth dental implants.
Zygomatic and pterygoid implants can help clients to restore their smile and remove the need for a bone grafting procedure. These advanced surgical techniques offer an alternative to bone grafting when shorter implants cannot provide enough stability to support a full set of teeth.
At Perth Dental Implant Centre, implant surgeon Dr David Norcross is experienced in performing advanced surgical techniques using pterygoid implants and for clients suffering from severe upper bone loss, we may request the assistance of a specialist oral maxillofacial surgeon for the placement of zygomatic implants. For personalised advice or to discuss your smile options, book a consultation at your nearest clinic in Kelmscott or East Victoria Park.
Pterygoid implants are long implants (between 15mm to 18mm in length) that are placed into the pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone, which is near the back of the upper jaw behind the jawline. These implants also offer an excellent option for clients who lack enough upper jawbone for conventional length dental implants. Unlike the maxilla (upper jaw) bone, the sphenoid bone has a high density and resistance to gradual bone loss over time.
Zygomatic implants are long implants (between 35mm to 55mm in length) that extend into the zygomatic bone, which is in the upper part of the cheekbone. Anchoring a zygomatic implant in this region provides a very strong and stable foundation to support full mouth All-on-4® dental implants in cases of severe bone loss. Like pterygoid implants, the zygomatic bone is extremely strong and less likely to deteriorate over time.
In cases where clients have been told they are unsuitable for conventional dental implants, zygomatic implants may make treatment with dental implants possible.
Zygomatic and pterygoid implants remove the need for bone grafting which can reduce invasiveness, surgery time, related surgical risks and healing time of dental implants.
With zygomatic and pterygoid implants, a full set of permanent teeth can be fitted within 1-3 days of surgery. Our high-quality titanium-acrylic bridges may last between two to five years (or longer with proper care) before needing to be replaced. Learn more about our single-stage approach to All-On-4 teeth.
Zygomatic and pterygoid implants provide stable and long-lasting results. Both have very high success rates of 97% and 94% respectively*. These advanced techniques have been extensively researched and refined, ensuring their reliability and effectiveness in cases of severe bone loss or poor jaw bone quality.
For patients with beautiful wide smiles, longer implants connect to All-On-4 teeth that fit right to the back of the mouth, showing no spaces.
*Goiato, M.C., Pellizzer, E.P., Moreno, A., Gennari-Filho, H., dos Santos, D.M., Santiago, J.F. and dos Santos, E.G. (2014). Implants in the zygomatic bone for maxillary prosthetic rehabilitation: a systematic review. International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 43(6), pp.748–757. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijom.2014.01.004.
*Araujo, R., Ferreira, J., Camila Lopes Cardoso, Froy, A., Rosenvaldo Moreira Júnior and Marcos Martins Curi (2019). Clinical outcomes of pterygoid implants: Systematic review and meta-analysis. 47(4), pp.651–660. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcms.2019.01.030.
If you have gone without natural teeth for some time, you may not be suitable for conventional implants due to bone loss or poor bone quality in the upper jaw. However, All-On-4® treatment using pterygoid or zygomatic implants may be an option.
Book a consultation with implant surgeon, Dr David Norcross who can take a 3D bone scan and tailor a treatment plan to your needs to help you regain a fully functioning and aesthetic smile.
With All-On-4® Pterygoid implants or All-On-4® plus Zygoma implants, Dr Norcross fits you with a permanent set of teeth within five days.
We discuss your treatment goals and our process, take diagnostic scans including a 3D bone scan to locate the sinuses and nerves and then present with your treatment plan with a breakdown of costs. Following this, we take pre-surgery records and you meet with the dental technician to choose the shape and shade of your new teeth.
All-On-4® surgery begins with removing all unwanted teeth and placing implants into your jaw bone. Pterygoid implants are placed in the sphenoid bone while zygomatic implants are placed in the cheek bone. Digital scans are taken then healing caps are placed over implants.
One to two days after surgery, you try-in a wax-up model of your new teeth. We check your bite, aesthetics and record any adjustments for the final fit.
Three to five days after surgery, we fit your bridge, check your bite and then show you how to carefully clean your new teeth. Your mouth then begins to heal.
We check the implants and bridges at 4 weeks, 3 months and then 6 months after surgery.
Every 6 to 12 months you attend a check-up and hygiene maintenance appointment where your bridge is professionally cleaned in an ultrasonic bath. Every 12 to 24 months you will also attend x-rays to check your bone health around dental implants.
Discover how All-On-4® can help you to restore your smile! Book a consultation with our implant surgeon, Dr David Norcross at your preferred clinic location in Kelmscott or East Victoria Park.
Perth Dental Implant Centre is a designated All-On-4 Centre of Excellence, one of only a handful of clinics in Australia. Book online for our East Vic Park clinic or Call 1300 108 133 to book at our Kelmscott or East Vic Park clinic.
Clients who have gone without teeth for some time will experience a degree of bone loss.
Zygomatic and pterygoid implants may be recommended to clients with insufficient upper jawbone quality or quantity to increase the likelihood of treatment success.
Before zygomatic and pterygoid implants were widely adopted, a bone grafting procedure would have been needed to build up the jaw in preparation for full mouth dental implants.
Zygomatic implants have a documented success rate of 97.86% over a 36-month follow-up period.
(1). Goiato, M.C., Pellizzer, E.P., Moreno, A., Gennari-Filho, H., dos Santos, D.M., Santiago, J.F. and dos Santos, E.G. (2014). Implants in the zygomatic bone for maxillary prosthetic rehabilitation: a systematic review. International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 43(6), pp.748–757. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijom.2014.01.004.
Pterygoid implants have shown a 94% success rate across a number of studies.
(2) Araujo, R., Ferreira, J., Camila Lopes Cardoso, Froy, A., Rosenvaldo Moreira Júnior and Marcos Martins Curi (2019). Clinical outcomes of pterygoid implants: Systematic review and meta-analysis. 47(4), pp.651–660. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcms.2019.01.030.
Surgery time depends on individual case complexity. In general, All-On-4 surgery may take about four hours on average, or an hour per dental implant. Placing a longer dental implant may take only slightly longer, again depending on the level of complexity.
Pterygoid and zygomatic dental implants make implant treatment possible for patients who have gone without teeth for some time and as a result, have suffered severe upper jawbone loss.
Some benefits of implant treatment with pterygoid or zygomatic implants include:
Pterygoid implants are longer than conventional implants and used in cases where there isn’t enough bone density or height in the upper jaw (maxilla) to hold new teeth in place. Pterygoid implants are inserted in the back of the mouth behind the jawline and extend into the pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone. This region of bone is very strong and stable.
Zygomatic dental implants are longer than conventional implants and used in cases where there is not enough upper jawbone quality or quantity to support new teeth. These implants are angled and inserted into the upper cheek or zygomatic bone, providing a very strong and reliable foundation to support teeth. They are often used in combination with conventional dental implants in All-On-4 surgery.
Dr Norcross may consult with a specialist oral maxillofacial surgeon for the placement of zygomatic implants.
