Using the Nasopalatine Canal for Enhanced Distribution in Severely Atrophic Maxilla With Immediate Loading of Zygomatic Implants: An 8-Year Retrospective Cohort Study.

Abstract

This study presents retrospective 8-year clinical performance data from a patient cohort treated with immediately loaded maxillary full prostheses supported by zygomatic implants combined with implants placed in the nasopalatine canal, as a treatment for severely resorbed edentulous ridges. A retrospective analysis was conducted on data of maxillary edentulous patients with severe bone atrophy. All of them received zygomatic implants in combination with an implant placed in the nasopalatine foramen and an immediately loaded fixed temporary prosthesis in the first 24 hours. The frequency of major and minor adverse events was presented according to the time of occurrence. Fifteen patients were included in the study, without cases of implant loss or sensitivity in the nasopalatine region were observed up to 8 years. Only 1 major complication was observed, whereas minor complications were more frequent. In conclusion, this 8-year follow-up study demonstrated that the nasopalatine canal can be considered a viable implant site, with no major risks, to improve biomechanics by enabling a polygonal distribution in severely atrophic maxillae treated with zygomatic implants and immediate loading.