A single-arm clinical trial investigating the feasibility of the zygomatic implant quad approach for Cawood and Howell Class 4 edentulous maxilla: An option for immediate loading

Abstract

Introduction: The traditional way to treat maxillary edentulous Cawood and Howell Class 4 (CH4) patients who exhibit the knife-edge ridge form of edentulous jaws that are adequate in height and inadequate in width is extensive autologous bone grafting for conventional implant placement. Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of the zygomatic implant (ZI) quad approach in edentulous CH4 patients who presented a knife-edge ridge form in the anterior maxilla for immediate loading. Material and methods: Eligible patients with maxillary CH4 edentulism treated with the ZI quad approach were enrolled. Bone reduction and implant placement were performed under the guidance of a navigation system according to preoperative planning. The outcome variable was the implant survival rate, and additional variables were the ratio of immediate loading, complications and the relationship of the zygomatic implant path to the sinus wall. Statistical analysis was performed with the SAS statistical package. Results: Fifteen patients (3 men, 12 women; age range, 19–71 years; average age 47.2 years) eligible for the study received the ZI quad approach from January 2017 through January 2020. All ZIs achieved osseointegration, with no implant loss after early healing and a mean follow-up of 17.2 ± 6.2 months. Thirteen of 15 patients (86.7%) received immediate loading. No critical anatomic structure injuries occurred during surgery. Most mesially placed implants (23/30, 76.6%) presented ZAGA 2 and 3, and most distally placed implants were distributed in ZAGA 0 (20/30, 66.7%). Discussion: In terms of realizing immediate loading in CH4 patients with a knife-edge ridge form in the anterior maxilla, quad approaches have advantages over other grafting methods. At the same time, it seems the survival rate of zygomatic implants is comparable with that of other indications. With the limitations of this study, the quad approach might be a feasible option to realize edentulous maxillary reconstruction and to make immediate loading possible.