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Buccal Fat Pad vs. Palatal Rotation Scarf Grafts for Soft Tissue Management Around Zygomatic Implants
Sponsor: Cairo University
Summary
Over the past 20 years, the demand for oral rehabilitation among edentulous patients has steadily increased. Traditionally, individuals with edentulous maxillae were treated using removable complete dentures. However, these often result in poor patient satisfaction due to instability and functional limitations. Dental rehabilitation with implants in the maxillary arch presents unique challenges, primarily due to the anatomical complexity of the maxilla and the need for adequate residual ridge dimensions for successful implant placement. Following the extraction of maxillary teeth, patients experience rapid and progressive alveolar bone loss in both vertical and horizontal dimensions. This resorption is largely attributed to the absence of teeth and periodontal ligament fibers support, which are essential for transmitting mechanical forces that maintain bone homeostasis. In addition, the loss of maxillary molars accelerates pneumatization/expansion of the maxillary sinus, further reducing available bone volume. Contributing factors such as ill-fitting dentures and systemic health conditions can exacerbate this process, complicating implant placement even further. To overcome these limitations, oral and maxillofacial surgeons have developed a range of advanced techniques, including tilted implants, sinus floor elevation, short implants, pterygoid implants, and most notably, zygomatic implants. Zygomatic implants bypass the atrophic alveolar ridge entirely by anchoring into the dense zygomatic bone, offering a reliable solution for patients with severely resorbed maxillae who are not candidates for conventional implant therapy.
Official title: Buccal Pad of Fat Graft vs. Palatal Rotation Scarf Graft for Soft Tissue Enhancement and Prevention of Dehiscence Around Zygomatic Implants Placed in Patients With Severely Atrophic Maxilla: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
8
Start Date
2025-06-01
Completion Date
2026-12-01
Last Updated
2025-12-12
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
Buccal Fat Pad
BFP has a long successful history in oral surgery for its use in closure of Oroantral communication and taking advantage of the fact that it contains progenitor stem cells showing similar phenotype with (ASC) adipose-derived stem cells characteristics, which can similarly differentiate into the chondrogenic, adipogenic, or osteogenic lineage. Making them an invaluable reservoir for tissue engineering.
Palatal Rotation Scarf Graft
This technique uses tissue from the palatal area, which has a rich blood supply placed around the neck of the zygomatic implant aiming to protect the mucosal tissues buccal to the exteriorized implants from capillary compression and subsequent soft tissue recession. The palatal rotation scarf graft has been proven to provide a robust, resilient soft tissue flap with good potential for long-term stability and esthetic outcomes around implants.
Locations (1)
Cairo University
Cairo, Giza Governorate, Egypt