For any oral surgeon actively placing zygomatic implants, the recent launch of the StraumannⓇ zygomatic implant system is well-known. This article dives into the genesis of this innovation, from design to manufacturing, up until reaching the patients. With two different implant designs: ZAGA Flat and ZAGA Round and many unique features, this system clearly stands as a breakthrough in the growing field of zygomatic implant rehabilitation. The invention, design, industrial technology transfer, and in fine commercialization is a text-book story from start to finish.
Born from the clinical requirements of the end-user in mind, this zygomatic implant systems aims at solving specific pain points of the oral surgeons:
ZAGA, the acronym for Zygoma Anatomy-Guided Approach, described by Dr. Carlos Aparicio, is the concept used to place zygomatic implants in a prosthetically driven manner and according to the anatomy of the patient. Clearly, the zygomatic implant systems back in the end of the last century and in the first decade of the current one needed to further adapt to the patient’s anatomy and to the current surgical requirements. Adapting the implant design to the anatomy of each patient is critical to reaching clinical success and patient satisfaction, or should we say happiness with a new smile, free of complications. Indeed, if we were to summarize all aforementioned late pitfalls, they would fall into one of the two following categories: soft tissue complications and rhinosinusitis complications. The use of the ZAGA technique, as well as the design of the ZAGA Flat and ZAGA Round zygomatic implants, aim, from day 1, at preventing these complications.
A thorough global professional journey around the world led Dr. Aparicio from his drawing on a desk to the industrial technology transfer of the ZAGA designs by the hand of Graham Blackbeard CEO at Southern Implants. Originally as five different models, a set of two were selected to best solve the clinical limitations of zygomatic implants and adapt to all ZAGA classifications; but also to connect to the industrial reality. Creating and enjoying a tight, professional relationship with Southern Implants around this innovative initiative, the ZAGA Zygomatic implants came to light.
Along with patent protection Patent 20190254781 for the most innovative features of the implants, the portfolio also includes aspects already proven to be appreciated by oral surgeons. The final design then includes:
The technical, scientific, and clinical validation of both designs is positioning them as reference tools for the treatment of severe maxillary atrophy. Thin, resistant, adapted to the anatomy of the patients, the two ZAGA zygomatic implants made their way to the market stopping by a round table meeting with Southern Implants, ZAGA Centers, and StraumannⓇ. All interested in providing this next-generation implant to the dental universe, this extraordinary encounter led to the beginning of a fruitful, impactful collaboration between three stakeholders of the dental industry. Focusing on providing a safe and predictable way to help patients with severe maxillary atrophy recover a fixed denture without complications, after an extended period of pre-clinical and clinical trials, the collaboration led to the official launch of the new StraumannⓇ zygomatic implant system in October 2020.
Dr Carlos Aparicio Overview of The Straumann ZAGA Flat and Round Implants
Backed by its scientific approach and building on its legacy of innovation, StraumannⓇ now takes immediacy to the next level of reliability and efficiency. With the ZAGA Round and ZAGA Flat zygomatic implants, StraumannⓇ completes a full portfolio of solutions that are designed to enable dental professionals to face immediate solutions for even the most challenging maxillary atrophy with scientific support and validation. Aiming for a comprehensive partnership, StraumannⓇ is progressively launching the ZAGA Round and ZAGA Flat zygomatic implants, providing the health professionals with a sophisticated engineered design and a full educative calendar. Continuing on a fruitful collaboration, StraumannⓇ and ZAGA Centers work hand in hand to keep providing education, training, and knowledge focusing on zygomatic implants. Precisely, the correct use and indication for zygomatic implant rehabilitation along with several ways to prevent long-term complications represent the main objectives. Zygomatic implants are often used in combination with regular implants when bone is available anteriorly. The ZAGA-StraumannⓇ collaboration has an even broader synergy when evaluating the high quality of the recently released BLT and BLT portfolio of implants by StraumannⓇ.
ZAGA Centers aims at enhancing, even more, the safety, reliability, and predictability of zygomatic implant rehabilitation by centralizing the experience in the hands of selected, audited certified centers, the ZAGA Centers. ZAGA Centers is a network of experienced professionals in the field of zygomatic implant rehabilitations. The members work in a patient-centric way surgically personalizing the treatment to each patient and selecting implants according to the patient´s anatomic characteristics and necessities. Providing patients with best-in-class treatments is the reason why all professionals wake up every morning and the fuel to the hard work invested in zygomatic implant rehabilitations.
