Clinical accuracy of transferring virtually planned zygomatic implant positions in severely atrophic maxilla: a single-arm study

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the clinical accuracy of transferring virtually planned zygomatic implant positions in severely atrophic maxilla. Materials and methods This clinical accuracy study included 24 participants with severely atrophic edentulous maxilla. All cases were digitally planned using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and treated with bilateral zygomatic implants under general anesthesia, with additional anterior conventional implants. Postoperative CBCT was used to superimpose the actual implant positions onto the virtual plan and assess coronal and apical deviations. Results A total of 48 zygomatic implants were placed in 24 participants. Three-dimensional superimposition of the preoperative virtual plans and postoperative CBCT scans demonstrated a mean coronal deviation of 1.917 ± 0.401 mm overall, with values of 1.989 ± 0.540 mm on the right side and 1.846 ± 0.160 mm on the left side. The overall mean apical deviation was 1.733 ± 0.429 mm, with values of 1.757 ± 0.172 mm on the right side and 1.709 ± 0.588 mm on the left side. Conclusions Virtual surgical planning enabled the transfer of planned zygomatic implant positions with measurable coronal and apical deviations. These findings describe short-term positional accuracy and should not be interpreted as evidence of long-term implant stability, treatment efficacy, or overall safety. Trial registration Trial was retrospectively registered on 31/03/2023 at Pan African Clinical Trials Registry ( https://pactr.samrc.ac.za ) (ID: PACTR202603707948061) under the following link: https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/TrialDisplay.aspx?TrialID=40945 .