Tamilnadu’s First Zygomatic implant on a visually challenged man affected by Mucormycosis Implantree International performs Zygomatic Implant surgery on 37 year old man

surgery on 37 year old man

– The patient lost his teeth and jaw bones due to Black Fungus

– The black fungus can cause fatal damage to the face, loss of vision, and even death. It has a mortality rate of over 50%.

– 85% of Mucormycosis are those affected by COVID-19

SenthilMurugan is a 37 year old , visually challenged teacher from the district of Salem. Last year, he fell prey to COVID-19 and fortunately he recovered from the virus. However, he also became a victim of Black fungus, also known as Mucormycosis, leaving his teeth and jaw bones to cripple, making him unable to eat or speak.

Implantree International Dental Hospital successfully performed Zygomatic Implant surgery ( jaw replacement), thus giving him a new lease of life. Explaining on the case, Prof Dr Johnson Raja James, an internationally renowned Implant expert with a specialization in Rehabilitation, Senior Implantologist, Implantreesays, “Senthil developed severe headaches and pain in the sinus region and after several test runs, at multiple health care centres it was concluded that he was affected by the dreaded Black Fungus. His reluctance for early treatment and high blood sugar level had already caused irreversible damage. By the time his treatment began, most of his bone and tissues were disintegrated. He  had to undergo a partial maxillectomy (removal of teeth and jaw bone) that left him with a massive hole in the upper jaw, causing difficulty in eating and speaking. It was hard to eat because the food was going into the nose instead of stomach, and the absence of a palate made speech almost impossible.

He went to multiple dentists to get his teeth and jaw replaced but was either sent back saying nothing much was possible or was asked to wait for at least six months till there was a concrete treatment plan. A web search on Advanced Implants Specialists brought him to Implantree International Dental Hospitals, Saligramam, Chennai.”

Mucormycetes, the fungi which causes this infection, are present all around us in the environment. Anyone can inhale the fungal spores, but it infects only when a person has compromised immunity. Example: Diabetes or Cancer + COVID-19. The combination of these conditions makes a body even more vulnerable to black fungus. Unless treated quickly and efficiently, the black fungus can cause fatal damage to the face, loss of vision, and even death. It has a mortality rate of over 50%.

“With most of the jaw bone removed or disintegrated in Black fungus patients, the only remaining bone is the zygomatic bone or the cheekbone. Zygomatic implants are long implants that are drilled and placed in the cheekbone. They are probably the only treatment option available now for mucormycosis/cancer patients who have lost their teeth due to loss of jaw bone. The implants were placed on the patient under local anaesthesia. The incredible part of the surgery was that the dental prosthesis was fixed within seven days. In most implant options, the patients have to wait for 3 to 6 months,” added Dr Johnson.

The rare and complex surgery of Zygomatic Implant Rehabilitation was performed by a team of surgeons in Implantree, Chennai, with Dr. Johnson James at the lead, along with Dr. John Nesan, Dr.SreeLekshmiMidhun, Dr.Afreen, &Dr.Aishwarya.

The Black fungus or Mucormycosis is declared as an epidemic in India, and according to the Indian Health Ministry, 85% of the cases were those affected by COVID-19. The key reason for the appalling number could be the widespread prevalence of diabetes in India, coupled with the rapid spread of the Delta or B.1.617.2 variant of the virus.

Zygomatic implants act as fixtures anchoring the obturator firmly with the teeth prosthesis – a boon to Mucormucosis patients helping them to eat appropriately and speak with confidence. 

Speaking on the case, Dr SreeLekshmiMidhun said, “We were overwhelmed to see Senthil, who was a lost soul during his initial consultation, happy and singing when he left with his new prosthesis. We believe there has to be a first for everything. If we don’t try, someone else will. And, that’s how treatments and vaccines are invented.  And we tried and gratefully succeeded – thankful to our great team of doctors here, and of course, Dr. Johnson James for his relentless efforts.

More people affected with mucormycosis have been approaching us for comprehensive dental rehabilitation and we are happy to inform that Implantree International is fully equipped to serve all of them with advanced treatments and an expert team of doctors