Treatment
Zygomatic Implants — For Patients With Severe Upper Jaw Bone Loss
This page is for people told they have too little upper-jaw bone for standard dental implants. It explains what zygomatic implants are, who they suit, what treatment involves, the risks, and the likely cost. Core takeaway: zygomatic implants anchor in the cheekbone, giving a fixed-teeth option in severe bone loss without extensive grafting.
Clinically reviewed by Dr Ibraheem Ijaz, Principal Dentist · GDC 301711 · 500+ implants placed · Last reviewed August 2026
Medical disclaimer: This page is for general information only. It does not replace an examination or treatment by a dentist.
What are zygomatic implants?
Zygomatic implants are extra-long implants that anchor in the cheekbone instead of the upper jaw, used when there is too little jawbone.
The cheekbone, or zygomatic bone, stays dense and stable even when the upper jaw has shrunk through long-term tooth loss, gum disease, or years of denture wear. Because the implant gains its hold from this stronger bone, it can support a fixed bridge where conventional implants would have nothing solid to grip. The technique was developed by Professor Per-Ingvar Brånemark in the late 1980s and is now an established option for the severely resorbed upper jaw, including cases of extreme atrophy where standard implants have no foundation to work with. It sits alongside the wider range of dental implants treatment types used to replace missing teeth.
Many patients who ask about zygomatic implants are not really asking what they are. They have usually been told elsewhere that nothing can be done, and what they want to know is whether a fixed solution is still realistic for their situation.
How zygomatic implants work
Zygomatic implants pass from the gum, alongside or through the upper jaw, and anchor firmly in the zygomatic (cheek) bone.
Each implant is much longer than a standard fixture and is angled to reach the cheekbone, where it gains strong primary stability on the day of surgery. Depending on the anatomy, the surgeon may use an intra-sinus path or an extra-sinus (extramaxillary) approach that keeps more of the implant outside the sinus to reduce sinus problems. In cases with almost no usable upper-jaw bone, four zygomatic implants, two each side, can support a full upper arch. How bite force then travels from the bridge into the cheekbone is a question of implant biomechanics, which is why careful planning of implant angle and load is central to long-term success.
Who is suitable for zygomatic implants?
Zygomatic implants suit adults with severe upper-jaw bone loss who cannot have standard implants and want a fixed alternative to dentures.
Suitability is not decided on bone loss alone. A clinician reviews your general health, sinus condition, gum health, and the degree of upper-jaw bone loss (maxillary atrophy), usually with a 3D CBCT scan (cone-beam CT) that maps the bone and sinus in detail. People with active sinus disease, certain uncontrolled medical conditions, or insufficient cheekbone volume may not be candidates, and treatment after jaw surgery for cancer carries a different, higher-risk profile than treatment for simple atrophy. For people who have struggled with a loose upper denture, cheekbone-anchored implants can turn that denture experience into fixed teeth that do not move. Because the assessment is individual, the honest first step is a consultation rather than an assumption either way. At Deepcar Dental Care, Dr Ibraheem Ijaz assesses complex bone-loss cases, takes the necessary 3D scans, and explains whether zygomatic implants or an alternative approach is the right route for you, drawing on maxillofacial support for the most challenging presentations. Zygomatic implants are placed in-house at Deepcar Dental Care.
Ask whether this treatment fits your case.
Zygomatic implants as an alternative to bone grafting
Zygomatic implants can avoid the need for extensive bone grafting because they anchor in existing cheekbone rather than relying on rebuilt jawbone.
For many patients with upper-back-tooth bone loss, the usual route to implants is to rebuild bone first. That can mean a procedure to add height beneath the sinus, and you can read separately about how a sinus lift creates enough bone for upper jaw implants. In severe cases, though, there may not be enough foundation for grafting to be predictable, or the patient may not want months of extra healing. Anchoring in the cheekbone sidesteps that stage, which is the core appeal of this technique. Where some usable bone remains, a tilted-implant solution such as All-on-4 full arch treatment may achieve a similar fixed result, so the right choice depends entirely on what your scan shows.
What to expect during zygomatic implant treatment
Zygomatic implant treatment involves detailed 3D planning, surgical placement under sedation or anaesthetic, and often a fixed provisional bridge fitted soon afterwards.
Planning comes first, using a CBCT scan to decide implant length, angle, and path. The surgery is more complex than standard implant placement and is carried out by clinicians with advanced surgical training. Many cases follow an immediate loading protocol, meaning a temporary fixed bridge can be fitted within roughly 24 hours, so patients often leave with teeth rather than going without. The bone then needs time to integrate with the implants, which is generally not complete for around five months, after which the permanent bridge is fitted. Swelling and discomfort in the first days are normal and usually settle with standard pain relief.
Risks and limitations of zygomatic implants
Zygomatic implants carry a higher complication risk than standard implants, with sinus inflammation (sinusitis) reported as the most common problem.
Across the published research, sinus-related complications are consistently the leading issue, followed by soft-tissue healing problems around the implant. Less common reported complications include altered sensation from the infra-orbital nerve, a connection forming between the mouth and sinus (oroantral fistula), and, rarely, penetration of nearby structures. Careful pre-surgical sinus assessment and an extra-sinus surgical approach are used to reduce these risks. In clinical practice, when problems do arise they are most often sinus-related and tend to show during the earlier healing period rather than years later, and most are manageable when identified early at routine reviews. On survival, peer-reviewed systematic reviews report high cumulative success: one 2022 review of 196 publications found success of about 98.5% in the first year and around 96.1% beyond five years, while outcomes are notably lower in patients treated after jaw resection for cancer. These figures describe the published evidence, not a guarantee for any individual.
Ask whether this treatment fits your case.
How much do zygomatic implants cost in the UK?
Zygomatic implant treatment in the UK is a significant investment, with reported figures for a full upper arch commonly around £10,000 to £18,000.
Cost depends on case complexity, the number of implants, the surgical approach, and the materials used for the final bridge, so a precise figure is only meaningful after assessment. After a consultation and 3D scan, you receive a clear written plan setting out the recommended approach and its cost, and you can review the full cost breakdown for dental implants in the UK beforehand. To make treatment more manageable, you can look at spreading the cost of dental implants with monthly payments, including interest-free and longer-term plans subject to status. Patients who come in after being told implants were impossible often say the assessment itself gave them clarity they had not had before.
Are zygomatic implants available on the NHS?
Zygomatic implants are not routinely available on the NHS and are, in almost all cases, a private treatment.
The NHS funds dental implants only in exceptional clinical situations, such as reconstruction after facial trauma or cancer treatment, and these cases are handled within hospital specialist services rather than general practice. Severe bone loss from tooth loss or denture wear alone does not usually meet that threshold. For most people exploring zygomatic implants, the realistic pathway is private assessment and treatment, where you can also discuss timescales and funding directly with the clinical team.
Questions, answered
Frequently asked questions
Are zygomatic implants safe?
Zygomatic implants are a well-documented, established procedure with high reported success rates, though they carry more surgical risk than standard implants. Sinus inflammation is the most commonly reported complication. Careful 3D planning, an experienced surgeon, and proper sinus assessment keep the procedure predictable for suitable candidates.
Am I too old for zygomatic implants?
Age itself is rarely the deciding factor for zygomatic implants; general health and bone condition matter far more. Many candidates are older adults who have worn dentures for years. A clinical assessment, including medical history and a 3D scan, determines suitability far more reliably than age alone.
Do zygomatic implants hurt?
Zygomatic implant surgery is performed under sedation or general anaesthetic, so you should not feel pain during the procedure. Afterwards, swelling and tenderness for several days are normal and usually controlled with standard pain relief. Most discomfort settles within the first week as the soft tissues heal.
Can zygomatic implants replace a full set of upper teeth?
Yes. In cases with very little usable upper-jaw bone, four zygomatic implants can support a fixed full-arch bridge for the entire upper jaw. This is often why patients with failing upper teeth and severe bone loss are assessed specifically for this technique rather than dentures.
Is the temporary bridge my final set of teeth?
No. The fixed bridge placed soon after surgery is a temporary restoration, not the finished result. It lets you leave with teeth while the implants integrate with the cheekbone. The permanent bridge, made to the final shape, fit, and shade, replaces it once healing is confirmed.
What makes zygomatic implants last, and what shortens their life?
Zygomatic implants are designed as a long-term, often permanent solution, but lifespan depends on how they are cared for. Daily cleaning, not smoking, and attending maintenance reviews protect them. Most problems that shorten an implant's life come from poor hygiene or untreated gum inflammation rather than the implant itself.
If you have worked through the questions on this page, you likely have a clearer picture of whether zygomatic implants are the right direction. The next step is a conversation with a clinician who can assess your specific situation. Book a consultation with Dr Ibraheem Ijaz to find out whether zygomatic implants, or another approach, suit your case, and see what our patients say about their experience.
August 2026
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