Prof. Ole Jensen, Speaker at Edentulism2023
Episode summary
In this ZAGA Centers Podcast interview, oral and maxillofacial surgeon Prof. Ole Jensen previews his Edentulism2023 keynote on the past, present and future of rehabilitating the atrophic maxilla. A self-described 'wet-finger clinician' who began as an oral cancer surgeon, Jensen recounts operating alongside Brånemark and Carl Misch in the late 1980s, when U-shaped autogenous grafts splinted with implants proved unreliable and were abandoned, prompting Brånemark to seek anchorage in the zygoma. Jensen argues block bone grafting cannot solve severe atrophy and carries soft-tissue and nerve-injury risks, so zygomatic implants are best reserved for the most severe cases (Cawood & Howell class V-VI). He warns against social-media-driven over-indication, and identifies antimicrobial technology for trans-sinus implants and modern custom subperiosteal implants as the field's next developments.
Key takeaways
- Prof. Ole Jensen is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon who trained at Northwestern University, the University of Utah and the University of Michigan.
- Jensen entered the field of zygomatic implants through oral cancer surgery, where maxillectomy defects could not be reconstructed without zygomatic anchorage.
- In the late 1980s Jensen operated alongside Brånemark and Carl Misch using U-shaped autogenous grafts splinted with implants, a method that was quickly abandoned because the atrophic maxilla could not reliably hold the graft.
- Block bone grafting of the atrophic maxilla is limited by soft-tissue coverage, and flap procedures that borrow tissue from the upper lip can reduce vestibular height and cause nerve disturbance and paresthesia.
- Jensen argues zygomatic implants are best indicated in severe bone deficiency (Cawood & Howell class V and VI) rather than milder atrophy, and cautions that they are sometimes over-indicated, partly driven by social media.
- Jensen sees antimicrobial technology as an important future development for trans-sinus and exposed intraoral implants that are difficult to clean and prone to occasional infection.
- Modern custom subperiosteal implants may regain a role as a last-resort option after zygomatic implant failure or in rare pathologies such as cherubism, provided very fine adaptation to bone can be achieved.
What you'll learn
- Why block bone grafting was abandoned for the atrophic maxilla and its soft-tissue and nerve complications
- How Brånemark's failed U-shaped grafts led to the search for zygomatic anchorage
- Matching treatment to atrophy severity using the Cawood & Howell classification (reserving zygomatics for class V-VI)
- Recognizing and avoiding over-indication of zygomatic implants
- Emerging directions: antimicrobial technology for trans-sinus implants and a possible role for modern custom subperiosteal implants
About the guest
Prof. Ole Jensen
Prof. Ole Jensen is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon who describes himself as a 'wet-finger clinician' focused on solving difficult clinical problems without causing harm to patients. He trained at Northwestern University, the University of Utah and the University of Michigan, began his career as an oral cancer surgeon, and became involved in zygomatic implants through the challenge of reconstructing patients after maxillectomy. He is known for his work in bone grafting and reconstructive surgery and is the author of numerous books and publications on maxillofacial reconstruction and dental implantology.
Credentials: Board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon; trained at Northwestern University, University of Utah and University of Michigan; keynote speaker at Edentulism2023
