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 Actually Work?
They bypass the atrophied upper jaw entirely, anchoring instead into the zygomatic bone (cheekbone), which is dense, cortical, and does not resorb the way jawbone does after years of tooth loss or denture wear.
Conventional implants are 8 to 13mm long and require adequate jawbone volume. When the upper jaw has resorbed (shrunk), common after years of tooth loss or denture wear, there is not enough bone for conventional implants.
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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?
Five steps: 3D CBCT planning, surgery under sedation or general anaesthesia, placement of 2 to 4 zygomatic implants, same-day provisional teeth, and a definitive prosthesis after 4 to 6 months.
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 Show for Zygomatic Implants?
Published long-term follow-up studies report survival rates in the mid-90s percent range at 5 years and beyond, among the most well-documented outcomes for patients with severe upper jaw bone loss who would otherwise need extensive grafting.
- Published systematic reviews report survival rates around 96% at 5+ years of follow-up.
- Immediate loading protocols are well-documented in the zygomatic implant literature, with high reported success rates.
- Patient-reported satisfaction is consistently higher than with removable prostheses in published comparisons.
- Reduced morbidity compared to extensive bone grafting.
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How Much Do Zygomatic Implants Cost Compared to Canada?
Zygomatic implants at Stunning Dentistry represent a fraction of the Canadian cost for the same per-arch or quad-zygomatic procedure, itemised below against the Canadian benchmark.
| Canada (CAD) | Stunning Dentistry (CAD) | |
|---|---|---|
| Zygomatic (per arch) | $35,000-$48,000 | from $615 |
| Quad zygomatic (both arches) | $70,000-$96,000 | from $1,230 |
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No waiting list for eligible cases
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- 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 anchored into the cheekbone rather than the upper jawbone, designed for patients with severe upper jaw bone loss who have been told they lack enough bone for conventional implants and want to avoid bone grafting.
How long do zygomatic implants last?
Published long-term follow-up studies report survival rates in the mid-90s percent range at 5 years and beyond, among the most well-documented outcomes for this type of severe bone loss case.
Do zygomatic implants avoid the need for bone grafting?
Yes. By anchoring into the dense cheekbone instead of the atrophied maxilla, zygomatic implants bypass the months of bone grafting and healing that conventional implants would otherwise require in these cases.
How is the zygomatic implant procedure different from conventional implants?
It uses longer implants (up to 52.5mm) anchored into the zygomatic bone rather than 8 to 13mm conventional implants placed in jawbone, and typically includes same-day provisional teeth with a definitive prosthesis delivered after 4 to 6 months. --- Zygomatic Implants Detail → | Arrange a Free Video Consult →
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