Conservative management of a cervically fractured zygomatic implant using a novel titanium device: a technical report with biomechanical validation and 24-month follow-up - 12/09/26
, Cristina Barona-Dorado c, José María Martínez-González cAbstract |
Fracture of a zygomatic implant is an uncommon but clinically challenging complication. Conventional management generally involves implant removal or alternative anchorage strategies, both of which may require extensive surgery, increase patient morbidity, and compromise an existing implant-supported rehabilitation.
This technical report describes the development, biomechanical validation, and first clinical application of a novel prosthetic rescue device for the conservative management of cervical fractures of zygomatic implants while preserving the osseointegrated apical segment.
A customized Grade V titanium device incorporating an internal threaded connection and supplementary self-tapping fixation screws was specifically designed to restore the fractured implant. Biomechanical performance was assessed by dynamic fatigue testing according to ISO 14801. The device was subsequently used in a 60-year-old woman presenting with a cervical fracture of a zygomatic implant. Placement was performed using a surgical guide, and the device was secured with an insertion torque of approximately 20 Ncm.
Fatigue testing demonstrated mechanical resistance exceeding five million loading cycles under a maximum load of 129 N. At the 24-month follow-up, the patient remained free of mechanical or biological complications, with stable clinical and radiographic findings and successful maintenance of the implant-supported prosthetic rehabilitation.
This case suggests that the proposed prosthetic rescue device may represent a minimally invasive alternative to implant removal in carefully selected cases of cervical fracture of zygomatic implants with a stable osseointegrated apical segment. Further clinical studies are required to confirm the reproducibility, long-term mechanical performance, and clinical predictability of this approach.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Keywords : Zygomatic implant, Implant fracture, Prosthetic rescue device, Fatigue testing, Technical report
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Vol 127 - N° 5
Article 102983- octobre 2026 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
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