Zygomatic Implant Surface Fixation for Sinus and Orbital Risk Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing zygomatic dental implants face risks of sinusitis, orbital perforation, and difficult removal due to their design, which often requires traditional implants that are challenging to place in cases of severe bone loss.
Innovation Solution
A zygomatic dental implant designed to be fixed solely on the cheek surface of one zygomatic bone, avoiding penetration into the bone and using fixation elements that do not pass through, with a maxillary portion extending opposite the maxillary bone for prosthesis connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional implants are placed in the alveolar bone, then they can support dental prostheses, but they cannot be placed when the alveolar bone has resorbed due to insufficient bone quantity and quality
Solution Approach 1:
The implant system transitions from relying solely on vertical bone height (traditional implants) to utilizing the zygomatic bone dimension laterally. The L-shaped implant configuration extends from the maxillary sinus region horizontally into the zygomatic bone, accessing a new spatial dimension for anchorage when vertical bone is insufficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The zygomatic bone serves as an intermediary anchorage site between the maxillary sinus region and the external cheek surface. Instead of directly anchoring in the resorbed alveolar bone, the implant system uses the zygomatic bone as a mediator to provide stable fixation while avoiding the compromised maxillary bone.
2Strength
If implants penetrate through the zygomatic bone for fixation, then stable anchorage is achieved, but removal becomes difficult and may cause bone damage
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation elements (screws or implants) are extracted from the zygomatic bone entirely, with fixation achieved only on the external cheek surface. This removes the problematic deep penetration into bone while maintaining anchorage strength through surface fixation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of penetrating through the zygomatic bone from the internal sinus region to the external surface, the fixation approach is inverted: fixation elements are applied only on the external cheek surface without penetrating through the bone to the internal region, achieving fixation while preserving bone integrity.
3Reliability
If fixation elements penetrate through the zygomatic bone, then secure fixation is achieved, but risks of sinusitis and orbital complications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful penetration through the zygomatic bone into the maxillary sinus and orbital region is completely removed from the design. Fixation is achieved exclusively on the external cheek surface, eliminating the pathway for infection and the risk of orbital perforation associated with deep trans-bone penetration.
Solution Approach 2:
The thin zygomatic bone, which previously posed a risk when penetrated, is instead utilized as a protective barrier. The implant system is designed to fixate on the external surface of this bone, using it as a protective shield that separates the fixation site from the harmful internal regions (sinus and orbit), converting the potential hazard into a protective feature.
Data Source
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AI summary
Zygomatic implant intended to support a dental prosthesis and to be fixed solely to the jugal face of the zygomatic bone of a patient, this implant comprising: • A zygomatic fixation part (10) arranged to be fixed on the jugal face of the zygomatic bone of a patient, forming a plate which has a fixation opening (100, 101, 102) which passes through the plate and is able to receive a fixation element for fixing the plate on the jugal face of the zygomatic bone of a patient, • A maxillary part (11) comprising at least one elongate element which is arranged to extend opposite the jugal face of the maxillary bone of the patient and of which one end is connected to the zygomatic part and the other end is free and intended to be connected to a connection interface with a dental prosthesis.