If you have advanced bone loss in the upper jaw, the path to a permanent smile has traditionally been long and difficult, often requiring multiple bone grafting procedures, months of healing, and still no guarantee that enough bone could be rebuilt to support traditional dental implants. Many patients have been told, sometimes more than once, that dental implants simply aren’t an option for them.
At ProSmile Dental Implant Center in Scottsdale and Phoenix, AZ, our team offers zygomatic implants, a highly specialized solution designed specifically for patients who lack sufficient bone in the upper jaw. If you’ve been turned away elsewhere or told bone grafting is your only option, we encourage you to schedule a free consultation with our team.
Zygomatic implants are extra-long dental implants designed primarily for patients with significant bone loss in the upper jaw.
Traditional dental implants are anchored into the maxilla, or upper jawbone. When significant bone deterioration has occurred, there may not be enough healthy bone available to securely support conventional implants.
A zygomatic implant takes a different approach.
Instead of depending entirely on the upper jawbone, the implant extends into the zygomatic bone—the cheekbone. This dense bone can provide a strong anchoring point for supporting a fixed full-arch restoration.
Zygomatic dental implants are most commonly used as part of a full-mouth or full-upper-arch reconstruction rather than to replace an individual tooth.
Bone loss in the jaw is a natural consequence of tooth loss. When a tooth is removed or falls out, the jawbone beneath it no longer receives the stimulation it needs to maintain its density and volume. Over time, sometimes within the first year of tooth loss, the bone begins to resorb, shrinking in both height and width. The longer the teeth have been missing, the more significant this bone loss tends to be. Common causes of severe upper jawbone loss include:
Your journey begins with a complimentary consultation that includes advanced 3D CT imaging to map the precise anatomy of your upper jaw, cheekbone, and sinus structures. Our team reviews this in detail to evaluate your candidacy, plan implant positioning, and ensure the safest and most effective placement strategy for your specific anatomy. There is no obligation, and the consultation is entirely free.
Using your 3D imaging data, our surgical team develops a detailed, patient-specific placement plan for your zygomatic implants. Every angle, depth, and point of anchorage is mapped in advance to maximize stability, minimize surgical time, and reduce the risk of complications. No two zygomatic implant plans are identical; your treatment is designed entirely around your unique anatomy.
On the day of your procedure, you’ll be comfortably sedated by our in-house anesthesiologist, so you remain relaxed throughout. The procedure itself takes approximately three hours. During surgery, the zygomatic implants are passed through the gum tissue and carefully positioned to anchor securely in the cheekbone. Traditional implants may also be placed in the front of the upper jaw if sufficient bone is available there.
Once your implants are in place, a set of temporary teeth is secured to your implants before you leave our office. You’ll walk out of practice the same day with a complete, natural-looking smile and the ability to eat soft foods right away. This temporary restoration protects your implants and gives you function and confidence throughout the healing process.
Over the following months, your zygomatic implants integrate with the dense cheekbone through a natural process called osseointegration. Our team schedules follow-up visits to monitor your healing, address any questions, and ensure everything is progressing as expected. Most patients find the recovery from zygomatic implant surgery to be manageable with prescribed medication and rest.
Once osseointegration is complete and your implants are fully stable, your temporary restoration is replaced with a beautifully crafted, permanent prosthesis. Made from durable, long-lasting material, your final smile is custom-designed for natural aesthetics, proper bite alignment, and lasting comfort, completing your transformation and giving you a smile you can rely on for decades.
Zygomatic implant surgery in Scottsdale and Phoenix, AZ, is one of the most technically demanding procedures in implant dentistry. It requires specialized training, deep familiarity with craniofacial anatomy, and surgical precision that goes well beyond conventional implant placement.
At ProSmile Dental Implant Center, our surgical team brings advanced training in oral and maxillofacial surgery, full facial reconstruction, and complex implant cases, including patients with failed implants, severe bone deficiency, and long-term denture wear. When you choose ProSmile, you benefit from:
