Extrasinus Zygomatic Implant Placement in the Rehabilitation of the Atrophic Maxilla: Three-Dimensional Finite Element Stress Analysis

Abstract

Placement of zygomatic implants lateral to the maxillary sinus, according to the extrasinus protocol, is one of the treatment options in the rehabilitation of severely atrophic maxilla or following maxillectomy surgery in patients with head and neck cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanical behavior of a full-arch fixed prosthesis supported by 4 zygomatic implants in the atrophic maxilla under occlusal loading. Results indicated that maximum von Mises stresses were significantly higher under lateral loading compared with vertical loading within the prosthesis and its supporting implants. Peak stresses were concentrated at the prosthesis-abutments interface under vertical loading and the internal line angles of the prosthesis under lateral loading. The zygomatic supporting bone suffered significantly lower stresses. However, the alveolar bone suffered a comparatively higher level of stresses, particularly under lateral loading. Prosthesis displacement under vertical loading was higher than under lateral loading. The zygomatic bone suffered lower stresses than the alveolar bone and prosthesis-implant complex under both vertical and lateral loading. Lateral loading caused a higher level of stresses than vertical loading.