Some patients come to their consultation having already been told they aren't a candidate for dental implants. Their previous provider looked at the bone level in their jaw and said there wasn't enough to work with. They left thinking a permanent fixed solution was simply off the table for them.
That's not always the whole story.
Zygomatic implants are a specialized approach for patients with severe upper jaw bone loss who would otherwise need extensive bone grafting or be turned away entirely. Instead of anchoring into the jawbone, zygomatic implants anchor into the zygomatic bone, which is the cheekbone. It has excellent density and is not affected by the bone resorption that happens after tooth loss.
Bone in the jaw needs stimulation to maintain its volume. Natural teeth provide that stimulation through chewing. When teeth are lost, the bone that used to support them begins to shrink. This is called resorption, and it starts immediately after extraction.
Patients who've worn dentures for many years often have significant bone loss in the upper jaw because the denture sits on the gum surface rather than stimulating the bone below. By the time they're ready to consider implants, a standard implant approach may not be possible without first rebuilding the bone through grafting.
Bone grafting works, but it adds time and cost, typically 6 to 12 additional months before implants can be placed. For some patients, that's acceptable. For others, zygomatic implants offer a more direct path.
Standard implants are roughly 10 to 16 millimeters long. Zygomatic implants are significantly longer, typically 30 to 52 millimeters, and they're placed at an angle so the tip anchors in the cheekbone while the base exits near the upper arch. Two to four zygomatic implants, sometimes combined with conventional implants in areas where bone is available, are used to support a full upper arch prosthetic.
Because the cheekbone is dense and not subject to resorption the way the jaw is, zygomatic implants can be placed and loaded without waiting for bone to grow. Many patients can receive their temporary prosthetic the same day.
This isn't a new procedure. It was developed in the 1990s by Professor Per-Ingvar Branemark and has been used in clinical practice for over 30 years. The long-term data on outcomes is solid.
Zygomatic implants are specifically for the upper arch and specifically for patients with insufficient bone volume for standard implants. Not every patient with bone loss needs them. A 3D CBCT scan is the only way to assess bone levels accurately enough to make that determination.
Patients who are otherwise healthy, don't smoke heavily, and have realistic expectations about the procedure tend to do well. Uncontrolled diabetes and certain bone conditions require evaluation before proceeding.
Not every implant practice offers zygomatic implants. The surgical technique is more complex than standard implant placement, and it requires specific training and experience. We've placed zygomatic implants for patients in Arkansas who were turned away elsewhere.
Bone grafting is a legitimate option and the right choice for certain patients. It takes longer and costs more, but it results in a restored jaw that can then support standard-length implants placed in the conventional way.
We don't push patients toward zygomatic implants or away from grafting. We look at the scan, discuss the tradeoffs of each path, and let you make an informed decision. Some patients want the fastest route to fixed teeth. Others prefer to rebuild the foundation and proceed conventionally. Both are valid.
"You have no bone left" shouldn't be the end of the conversation. It should be the beginning of one about what your actual options are.
Key point: Zygomatic implants are not available at every practice. If a previous provider told you implants weren't possible due to bone loss, a second opinion with a provider who offers zygomatic approaches may change your options significantly.
Get a second opinion. A 3D CBCT scan takes about 15 minutes and gives us a complete picture of your bone anatomy. We'll tell you straight what your options are.
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