A clinical evaluation of the Zygoma fixture: One year of follow-up at 16 clinics

Purpose. To evaluate treatment outcome with Zygoma fixtures (Nobel Biocare, Goteborg, Sweden) with regard to fixture survival, patient satisfaction, and function of prosthesis replacement. Materials and Methods: The treatment outcome of 76 patients treated with 145 Zygoma fixtures at 16 centers was evaluated. Patient's and dentist's evaluations of the functional and aesthetic outcome of the treatment were assessed at delivery of prosthesis and at the 1-year follow-up visit. At the 1-year follow-up visit, the status of the peri-implant mucosa around the abutments and the amount of plaque were registered. Results: Sixty-six of the 76 patients, with 124 Zygoma fixtures supporting the prosthetic restorations, were evaluated at the 1-year follow-up. The overall survival rate for the Zygoma fixtures was 97.9% after 1-year of follow-up. Eighty percent of the patients were fully satisfied with both aesthetic and functional outcome at the time of prosthetic insertion and at the 1-year follow-up. All reported data from the dentists, with the exception of one restoration with several abutment screw loosenings, scored from acceptable to excellent for the aesthetic and functional outcome of the treatment. The status of peri-implant mucosa was recorded as normal in approximately 60% of the sites. Plaque, when present, was more often detected on the palatal surfaces compared with the buccal surfaces. Conclusion: This 1-year follow-up of Zygoma fixtures has shown good results with an acceptable number of minor complications and a majority of satisfied patients. (C) 2004 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons