Yi-Cheng Lai

For patients with severely atrophic maxilla and mandible, the application of implants has drawn more attention with evidence for their full-mouth rehabilitation. In the maxilla, quad zygoma implants can be beneficial to this type of patient if they’re correctly used. Currently, ITI also held a zygomatic implant consensus recently to clear the current evidence-based treatment strategy. Besides, the new Straumann TLX implant can be also a good option in patients with limited hard and soft tissue volume. There are a variety of clinical approaches for prosthetically driven zygomatic implant placement in the literature. The aim of this case report is a proof-of-concept team approach of the interdisciplinary treatment protocol, which includes the diagnosis and evaluation of risks with new 2nd edition SAC classification, meticulous computer-aided design prosthetic treatment planning, virtual implant planning to the execution of zygomatic and TLX implants placement and the final human touch of prosthodontists with the help of advanced digital technology.

Dr. Lai is an assistant professor in College of Dentistry at The Ohio State University. He received his master’s degree and certification in advanced prosthodontics at Indiana University in 2022. Dr. Yi-Cheng Lai is a duo-board certified prosthodontist in the United States and Canada. He is a diplomate of American Board of Prosthodontics, a Fellow of American College of Prosthodontists (FACP), and a Fellow of The Royal College of Dentists of Canada in Prosthodontics (FRCDC). He is active in clinical practice, dental education, and dental research related to implants, ceramic material, and digital technology in prosthodontics. He is the awardee of the American College of Prosthodontists Education Foundation (ACPEF) Research fellowship in 2020 and one of the winners in the 2022 John J. Sharry Competition sponsored by the American College of Prosthodontists Education Foundation (ACPEF). Dr. Lai is a longtime member of International Team for Implantology (ITI) and serves as the study club director of Columbus OH. Dr. Lai maintains an intramural dental implant and prosthodontics practice in Dental Faculty Practice at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry.