Zygomatic implants are a relatively new dental procedure, designed for people with severe bone loss in the upper jaw. If you’ve ever been told you’re not a candidate for traditional dental implants, this procedure may be the answer to your dental needs.

What are Zygomatic Implants?

Traditional dental implants are placed into the jawbone, however, if you suffer from upper jaw bone loss, the bone may not be strong enough to support a traditional implant.

Traditional dental implants involve setting an artificial root into your upper jaw. Eventually, as your jaw heals, the root fuses with the bone to hold it securely in place. If you do not have enough bone mass, traditional implants will be unsuccessful.

Zygomatic implants use a much longer artificial root than traditional implants. This allows your Implantologist to anchor them in your cheek bones (the zygoma). Because the zygoma is a very dense bone, it provides excellent support for your implants. In fact, you can replace an entire arch at a time.

Zygomatic implants are suitable for patients who have lost bone mass for a variety of reasons, including severe periodontal disease. Zygomatic bones do not lose mass when you lose teeth or have periodontal disease. Patients are able to enjoy a beautiful and functional smile even if their bone mass is insufficient for traditional dental implants.

Advantages of Zygomatic Implants

• No bone grafting required – Prior to the advent of zygomatic implants, patients with upper jaw bone loss often required bone grafts to support their implants. Unfortunately, bone grafts can require six to twelve months to heal before implants can be placed. In contrast, zygomatic implants do not require bone grafting, so your new smile is ready to go as soon as the implantation procedure is completed.
• No need for sinus lifts – When the upper jaw loses mass, some patients may require a sinus lift procedure prior to implant placement. Sinus lifts thicken the bone between the oral cavity and the sinus, so that the sinus cavity is not damaged when implants are placed. Patients must then wait several months so the area can heal before their new teeth are implanted. Zygomatic implants do not require sinus lifts, thus making for a streamlined implant process.
• Enjoy new teeth right away – Zygomatic implants are angled directly into the cheekbone, and therefore dental implants can be immediately placed. Zygomatic implant patients do not have to wait to heal with missing teeth!
• Can be used in conjunction with traditional implants – If you need to replace teeth on both your upper and lower jaw, zygomatic implants can be implanted alongside traditional implants.
• High success rate – Zygomatic implants have a high success rate—about 97 percent, which is similar to the success rate of traditional dental implants.

To find out whether zygomatic implants are right for you, schedule an appointment with us today. Cleveland Implant Institute is committed to helping you understand all of your options, whether they include traditional or zygomatic implants. Call us today to get started!