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Zygomatic implants are special implant systems that may be used in patients who have advanced bone loss in the upper jaw and do not have enough bone volume for conventional dental implants.
While conventional dental implants are placed in the jawbone, zygomatic implants are designed to extend into the cheekbone (zygomatic bone) for support. The dense and strong structure of the zygomatic bone can make it possible to support implants in some patients with severe bone loss in the upper jaw.
Standard dental implants are usually 8–12 mm long, while zygomatic implants can range from approximately 30 to 55 mm in length. This longer design allows the implant to reach from the upper jaw to the zygomatic bone.
One important feature of zygomatic implant treatment is that, in suitable cases, treatment can be planned without the need for additional surgical procedures such as bone grafting or sinus lifting.
Zygomatic implants are primarily considered for patients who have advanced bone loss in the upper jaw and therefore cannot receive standard implant treatment.
Tooth loss, periodontal disease, infections, trauma or long-term denture use can lead to a loss of bone volume in the upper jaw over time. When there is not enough bone to support conventional implants, alternative treatment options may need to be considered.
With zygomatic implants, support is obtained not only from the upper jawbone but from the denser zygomatic bone. For this reason, they may offer a treatment option for some patients with advanced bone loss.
Zygomatic implant treatment may be considered especially for patients who:
However, a patient’s suitability for this treatment is not determined by bone volume alone. General health, the condition of the mouth and sinus area, and the results of three-dimensional imaging should be evaluated together to create a personalised treatment plan.
Although zygomatic implant placement follows the same basic principles as conventional implant treatment, it requires different and more advanced surgical planning due to the length of the implants, the anatomical area in which they are placed and the angle of placement.
A detailed clinical and radiological assessment is carried out before treatment. Using three-dimensional dental tomography, the structure of the zygomatic bone, the existing bone volume and the anatomy of the sinus cavities are evaluated.
Because the implants are placed close to the sinus area, planning also examines whether there is any infection, pathology or anatomical condition in the region that could affect treatment.
During the surgical stage, the gum is opened to access the area, and zygomatic implants of the planned length are placed into the zygomatic bone at the planned angle. After the implants are placed, the surgical area is closed.
The following stages of treatment may vary depending on the patient’s clinical condition and treatment plan. After the healing period, prosthetic rehabilitation of the implants can be carried out and custom fixed teeth can be prepared for the patient.
Zygomatic implants are not used in the lower jaw. Because these implant systems are designed to be supported by the cheekbone, they are used in the upper jaw.
Since the cheekbone is anatomically related to the upper jaw, there is no anatomical structure in the lower jaw that allows the same method to be used. For patients with advanced bone loss in the lower jaw, different implant techniques or bone augmentation methods may be considered.
Zygomatic implant placement is a surgical treatment and, as with any surgical procedure, it carries certain risks of complications.
Because the implants are placed in an area closely related to the zygomatic bone, the sinus cavities and the surrounding blood vessels and nerves, detailed treatment planning is essential.
Possible complications include:
Detailed evaluation of anatomical structures with three-dimensional imaging, assessment of the patient’s general health and appropriate surgical planning before treatment are important for managing the risk of complications.
The zygomatic arch is the bony arch on the side of the face that extends between the cheekbone and the temporal bone. An important part of facial anatomy, this area is also one of the attachment points of the muscles involved in chewing.
When planning zygomatic implant treatment, the position of the zygomatic bone and the surrounding anatomical structures is evaluated in detail.
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