What Are Zygomatic Implants?Complete Patient Guide
- Zygomatic implants are long titanium fixtures (30–52.5mm) anchored into the zygomatic (cheek) bone rather than the maxillary jawbone.
They are designed for patients with severe upper jaw bone loss who have been told they "don't have enough bone for implants" and want to avoid bone grafting.
How Do Zygomatic Implants Work When There Isn't Enough Jawbone?
Zygomatic implants bypass the atrophied upper jaw entirely and anchor instead into the zygomatic bone (cheekbone), which is dense, doesn't resorb, and gives conventional 8-13mm implants nowhere to hold once the jaw has shrunk. Conventional implants require adequate jawbone volume; when the upper jaw has resorbed after years of tooth loss or denture wear, there isn't enough bone left to place them.
Zygomatic implants are inserted through the jawbone and anchored into the cheekbone instead.
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Who Needs Zygomatic Implants?
- Severe maxillary bone loss (Class V–VI atrophy)
- Failed previous bone grafting
- Long-term edentulism (10+ years without teeth)
- Patients who want to avoid 6–12 months of bone grafting and healing
- Patients previously told they're "not a candidate" for implants
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What Does the Zygomatic Implant Procedure Involve?
The procedure runs from 3D CBCT planning through surgery to a same-day provisional, with the definitive prosthesis fitted 4 to 6 months later. The steps are:
1. 3D CBCT imaging to assess zygomatic bone quality and plan trajectory
2. Surgery under IV sedation (or general anaesthesia)
3. 2–4 zygomatic implants placed (+ conventional anterior implants if needed)
4. Immediate loading with provisional prosthesis (same-day teeth)
5. Definitive prosthesis after 4–6 months
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What Does the Clinical Evidence Say About Zygomatic Implant Success?
Published research (Aparicio et al.) records 96.5% implant survival at 7 or more years, with immediate loading success above 95% and patient satisfaction above 90% compared with removable prostheses.
- 96.5% survival at 7+ years (Aparicio et al.)
- Immediate loading success: >95%
- Patient satisfaction: >90% (vs. removable prostheses)
- Reduced morbidity compared to extensive bone grafting
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Cost
| the UK (GBP) | Stunning Dentistry (GBP) | |
|---|---|---|
| Zygomatic (per arch) | £28,000-£38,000 | from £330 |
| Quad zygomatic (both arches) | £56,000-£76,000 | from £660 |
Questions about this procedure?
Specialist-only treatment planning
- Remote file review before travel
- Evidence-led treatment checkpoints
No waiting list for eligible cases
- Remote file review before travel
- Evidence-led treatment checkpoints
Trip coordinated with care timeline
- Remote file review before travel
- Evidence-led treatment checkpoints
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are zygomatic implants and who needs them?
Zygomatic implants are long titanium fixtures (30-52.5mm) anchored into the zygomatic (cheek) bone instead of the upper jaw. They are for patients with severe upper jaw bone loss who have been told they don't have enough bone for conventional implants and want to avoid bone grafting.
How are zygomatic implants different from conventional implants?
Conventional implants are 8-13mm long and need adequate jawbone volume to anchor into. Zygomatic implants bypass the resorbed upper jaw entirely and anchor into the cheekbone, which is dense and doesn't resorb, so they work even where conventional implants cannot.
Do zygomatic implants avoid the need for bone grafting?
Yes, that is their main purpose. Patients who would otherwise need 6-12 months of bone grafting and healing before conventional implants can instead go straight to zygomatic implants with same-day provisional teeth.
How successful are zygomatic implants?
Published research (Aparicio et al.) records 96.5% implant survival at 7 or more years, immediate loading success above 95%, and patient satisfaction above 90% compared with removable prostheses. --- Zygomatic Implants Detail → | Arrange a Free Video Consult →
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This tool will help you understand potential structural and aesthetic changes before finalizing treatment decisions.
