What makes a zygomatic implant different
Zygomatic implants are longer than standard dental implants and are anchored into the zygomatic bone, the dense cheekbone above the molars, rather than into the upper jaw itself. Because the cheekbone is rarely affected by the bone loss that follows tooth extraction, it offers reliable, immediate stability even where the jaw has resorbed significantly.
Solving severe bone loss without a long detour
Traditional solutions for a severely resorbed upper jaw often involve sinus lifts and extensive bone augmentation, adding months of healing and several separate procedures before implants can even be placed. By engaging the cheekbone instead, zygomatic implants sidestep that entire detour.
In suitable cases, implants can be placed and a fixed temporary bridge attached in the same visit, an approach often described as "teeth in a day," meaning patients can leave with working fixed teeth rather than a removable denture and a long wait.
Who is typically a candidate
- Patients with long-standing upper dentures and significant bone loss
- Patients whose previous implants have failed due to insufficient bone
- Patients with advanced gum disease that has left too little bone for standard implants
- Patients who want a fixed, permanent solution rather than a removable plate
Why this is an upper-arch solution
Because the lower jaw rarely suffers the same degree of bone loss as the upper jaw, zygomatic implants are specifically an upper-arch technique. Lower-arch cases with bone loss are usually addressed with conventional implants, sometimes combined with tilted placement or a smaller amount of grafting.
Confirming suitability
The only reliable way to know whether zygomatic implants apply to your case is a 3D CBCT scan that maps the cheekbone and remaining jaw precisely. At Dentalmed, we review your scan or a recent panoramic X-ray honestly, and tell you clearly whether zygomatic implants, conventional implants, or a combination fits your anatomy.