If you have been told that there is not enough bone in your upper jaw for regular dental implants, fixed teeth may still be possible. For some people with severe bone loss, zygomatic dental implants may be an option. These implants use the cheekbone for support instead of depending only on the upper jawbone.
At Timberlea Dental, we help patients in Fort McMurray understand what bone loss means, which implant options may still be possible, and when they may need to see a dentist or surgeon with advanced training.
Zygomatic implants are mainly used for people with severe bone loss in the upper jaw. They are longer than regular dental implants and are supported by the cheekbone.
Most people with missing teeth do not need this type of implant. It is used only in certain situations. For carefully selected patients, zygomatic implants can support a fixed set of upper replacement teeth when regular implants do not have enough bone for support.
Safe treatment needs careful planning. This includes three-dimensional imaging, checking the sinuses, having the right surgical experience, and attending regular follow-up visits.
Zygomatic dental implants are longer implants that use the cheekbone for support. They may be recommended when severe bone loss in the upper jaw makes traditional dental implants difficult or impossible to place.
For carefully selected patients, they can provide an effective tooth replacement solution. Successful treatment requires detailed 3D imaging, comprehensive treatment planning, experienced surgical care, and regular follow-up appointments to support long-term oral health.
What are Zygomatic Dental Implants?
Regular dental implants need enough jawbone to stay secure. The upper jaw can lose a lot of bone after years of missing teeth, gum disease, long-term denture use, injury, earlier surgery, or failed implant treatment.
Zygomatic dental implants work in a different way. Instead of relying only on the upper jawbone, they reach into the zygomatic bone, which is the medical name for the cheekbone.
These implants are longer than regular implants. The main difference is where they get their support. Regular dental implants are supported by the jawbone. Zygomatic implants reach the stronger cheekbone when there is not enough upper jawbone for regular implants.
They are mainly considered for people with severe bone loss in the upper jaw.
In many cases, zygomatic implants are used to support a fixed set of upper replacement teeth. Some patients still have enough bone in the front of the upper jaw for regular implants. In those cases, the treatment plan may use both regular implants and zygomatic implants.
Who Might Qualify for Zygomatic Dental Implants?
Having missing teeth does not automatically mean someone needs zygomatic implants. The decision depends on how much bone is left, where that bone is located, the health of the mouth and sinuses, the person’s medical history, and whether a simpler implant option could still work.
Our dentists check how much bone is available and whether regular dental implants are still possible. We also look at the gums, remaining teeth, bite, sinus health, active infections, medications, smoking habits, and overall health.
A dentist or surgical team may consider zygomatic implants when there is severe bone loss in the upper jaw and one or more of these conditions apply:
- very little healthy bone remains in the upper jaw
- nearly all, or all, of the upper teeth are missing
- major bone shrinkage after years of denture use
- an earlier bone graft did not create enough support
- previous upper dental implant treatment was not successful
- a large bone graft may not be suitable for the patient
Age by itself does not decide whether someone is a good candidate.
A good assessment should give clear answers to four questions:
- How much healthy bone is still left in the upper jaw?
- Could regular dental implants still work?
- Would bone grafting be a reasonable choice?
- Does the patient need a clinician with advanced surgical training?
The aim is to use the simplest treatment that can safely meet the patient’s needs.
How Does Zygomatic Implant Treatment Work?
Surgery is only one part of dental treatments. Good results also depend on the first consultation, scans, planning, healing, the final teeth, and long-term care.
Step 1: Dental consultation
The first visit focuses on two main questions: Is implant treatment medically and dentally suitable for you, and what do you want your replacement teeth to do for you?
The dentist will review your teeth, gums, bite, dentures, medications, medical history, past dental treatment, and any signs of infection.
Some patients want fixed teeth because removable dentures have become hard to wear. Others have already been told that they have very little bone left in the upper jaw.
We explain the possible choices in clear language. For many patients looking for dental implants in Fort McMurray, regular implants may still be possible. Other patients may need bone grafting or may need a referral to a clinician with experience in advanced implant surgery.
Step 2: 3D scans and treatment planning
Detailed scans help the dental team understand the shape of the jaw and the nearby areas.
A CBCT scan gives a three-dimensional view of the upper jaw, cheekbone, sinus spaces, remaining bone, and nearby structures. This helps the treatment team study possible implant positions and avoid areas that need extra care.
Planning is especially important for zygomatic implants because they are much longer than regular dental implants.
The final teeth also need to be planned before surgery. Implant position can affect your bite, appearance, comfort, and how easy it is to clean around the bridge.
Detailed imaging helps with planning, but it cannot remove every surgical risk. The team still needs to consider your anatomy, sinus health, bone quality, general health, and how complex the surgery may be.
Step 3: Implant surgery
The type of anaesthesia or sedation depends on the patient and where the surgery is done.
During treatment, the implants are placed so they can get support from the cheekbone.
Because the sinus sits close to the implant area, the surgeon must study the patient’s anatomy before placement.
Regular implants may also be added when the front of the upper jaw still has enough healthy bone.
Zygomatic implant surgery needs advanced training. The surgeon must think about the cheekbone, sinus anatomy, final tooth position, bite forces, and how the patient will clean around the finished teeth.
At Timberlea Dental in Fort McMurray, our general dentists can assess your oral health, review your implant options, and explain what the next step may involve.
If your case needs advanced zygomatic implant surgery, we will explain why and discuss a referral to a clinician with the right surgical experience.
Step 4: Temporary teeth
Some patients may receive temporary fixed teeth soon after implant surgery.
Whether this is possible depends on implant stability and the details of the treatment plan.
Temporary fixed teeth cannot be promised before surgery. The treatment team first needs to confirm that the implants are stable enough to safely support a temporary restoration.
If temporary teeth are placed, they still need protection while healing takes place.
Patients may need to avoid hard foods and heavy biting pressure during this stage.
Step 5: Healing and the permanent teeth
Healing usually continues for several months.
During this time, the treatment team checks the gums, bite, implant stability, cleaning, sinus symptoms, and temporary teeth.
As the area heals, the implants are expected to join with the surrounding bone. This process is called osseointegration. The dental team will check the healing before moving ahead with the final restoration.
The dental team can prepare the final teeth after the area has become stable.
Getting the final teeth is an important part of treatment, but care does not stop after that.
Regular cleaning and dental visits are still needed to help protect the implants, gums, and bridge.
How Safe Are Zygomatic Dental Implants?
Zygomatic dental implants can be safe for carefully selected patients, but the surgery is more complex than regular implant placement.
These implants are placed close to the sinus and other parts of the face. Because of this, detailed imaging, careful patient selection, proper surgical experience, and regular follow-up are important.
The experience of the dental and surgical team also matters.
A high implant survival rate does not mean there can never be complications.
An implant can stay firmly in place while the patient still has a sinus problem, sore or irritated gums, trouble cleaning, bite problems, or an issue with the bridge.
Successful treatment should involve more than keeping the implant in the bone. The teeth should feel comfortable and stable, the bite should work properly, the gums should stay healthy, and the patient should be able to clean around the bridge every day.
How Well Do Zygomatic Dental Implants Work?
Published reviews have reported zygomatic implant survival rates in the mid-to-high 90% range. Results are not the same in every study.
Reported results can be affected by patient health, surgical method, implant design, length of follow-up, sinus condition, and long-term care.
A survival-rate number is not a guarantee for one person. General health, anatomy, sinus health, smoking, oral hygiene, bite forces, surgery, healing, and regular maintenance can all affect the result.
Survival rate is only one part of success. A good result should also allow the patient to chew comfortably, keep the area clean, maintain healthy gums, and use a stable set of teeth.
Current evidence comparing zygomatic implants with major bone-grafting procedures is still limited. Better-quality studies are still needed to understand the long-term benefits and complications of each option.
What Problems or Complications Can Happen?
Every surgery has risks, and zygomatic implant treatment is no different. Knowing the possible problems before treatment can help patients make an informed decision.
Sinus problems
Zygomatic implants are placed close to the maxillary sinus. Because of this, sinus swelling, inflammation, or infection is an important risk to discuss before treatment.
Patients who already have sinus problems may need more assessment before implant surgery.
Contact your treatment team if you have symptoms that continue or get worse, such as:
- facial pressure or pain that keeps getting stronger
- blocked breathing through the nose
- unusual nasal discharge
- a bad taste that does not go away
- discomfort that is not getting better as expected
If a patient already has sinus problems, we may suggest having them assessed before implant treatment.
After surgery, tell your treatment team about sinus symptoms that do not go away or that get worse.
Implant and gum problems
The tissue around an implant can become inflamed or infected.
Gums may become sore or start to pull back from the area.
Daily cleaning is especially important when implants support a fixed bridge. Plaque and food can collect under areas that are hard to reach. Patients may need special brushes, flossing aids, or other cleaning tools recommended by their dental team.
Sometimes an implant does not bond properly with the surrounding bone.
Daily home care helps keep the implants, gums, and bridge protected over the years. Regular professional cleaning and implant checkups also help the dental team find inflammation, bite changes, loose parts, or other concerns early.
Bridge and bite problems
The fixed teeth also need regular care.
A screw can become loose. Part of the bridge can wear down or break. Your bite may also shift as time passes.
If too much pressure is placed on one area, the dental bridge or dental implants may need treatment or adjustment.
During follow-up visits, we check more than the implants. We also check the teeth, bite, gums, cleaning, and comfort.
Problems after surgery
After treatment, it is normal for some patients to have swelling, bruising, tenderness, or pressure.
Contact your treatment team if the pain gets worse, swelling keeps increasing, you develop a fever, bleeding does not stop, sinus problems continue, or the temporary teeth feel loose.
Zygomatic Implants vs. Bone Grafting
Bone grafting and zygomatic implants deal with severe upper-jaw bone loss in different ways.
Bone grafting adds or rebuilds the jawbone so regular implants may be placed later. Zygomatic implants use the cheekbone for support instead of depending mainly on the weakened upper jaw.
One option is not always better than the other. The right choice depends on your anatomy, sinus health, medical history, past treatment, and what you want from the final teeth.
Related Article
Can I Get Dental Implants If I Have Bone Loss?
Learn how bone loss affects dental implant treatment, what options may be available, and when procedures such as bone grafting or zygomatic implants may be considered.
For some patients, zygomatic implants can reduce the need for a major bone graft and may lower the number of treatment stages.
Bone grafting can still make sense for some other patients.
If enough healthy jawbone is still present, regular dental implants may be the simpler option.
There is no single treatment that is best for everyone. The dental team needs to look at the patient’s bone, sinus condition, general health, previous dental treatment, treatment goals, and the type of surgery that would be needed.
The best treatment is the one that safely fits that patient’s needs.
Comparison of Implant Treatment Options
The table below compares where each implant option gets its support, when it may be considered, and the main factors to keep in mind during treatment planning.
| Treatment | Where Support Comes From | When It May Be Considered | Main Point to Think About |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Dental Implants | Upper jawbone | Enough healthy bone is still present. | Usually the simpler implant option. |
| Dental Implants with Bone Grafting | Rebuilt upper jawbone | Bone can be successfully added or rebuilt. | May need additional treatment and healing time. |
| Zygomatic Implants | Cheekbone | Severe upper-jaw bone loss makes regular implants difficult. | Needs advanced planning and surgical experience. |
What Should You Expect During Recovery?
Swelling, bruising, tenderness, and pressure can happen during the first part of recovery. Your surgical team may ask you to eat softer foods, reduce chewing pressure, and avoid hard physical activity for a short time while the area heals.
Always follow the medication, cleaning, diet, and activity instructions given by your treatment team.
Even when temporary fixed teeth are fitted soon after surgery, the implants below them still need time to heal. You need to be careful with chewing pressure during this time.
Cleaning is also a major part of recovery. You need to clean under and around the bridge every day. Our dentists can show patients how to clean these areas and which tools may help.
Long-term care may include professional cleanings, bite checks, dental scans when needed, and checks of the bridge.
Smoking and poor cleaning can increase the risk of implant problems.
First few days:
Swelling, tenderness, bruising, and pressure may be strongest during this time. Follow your medication, food, and cleaning instructions closely.
Early healing:
The tissues begin to settle, but the temporary teeth and healing implants still need protection from strong biting pressure.
Following months:
The dental team checks the implants, gums, bite, cleaning, and any sinus symptoms while healing continues.
Final restoration:
Once healing and implant stability are good enough, planning for the final teeth can move ahead.
Recovery is different for every person. Your treatment team may give you different instructions based on your surgery and your health.
Looking at Dental Implant Choices in Fort McMurray
If you have been told that bone loss may make dental implants difficult, you do not need to start with the most complex treatment. The first step is to find out how much healthy bone you have and what your oral health allows.
At Timberlea Dental, patients in Fort McMurray can begin with a dental implant consultation.
Our general dentists can check your teeth, gums, bite, medical history, and available bone. We then explain the possible options in clear language.
Many patients may still be able to have regular dental implants.
If your assessment shows that a more advanced treatment, such as zygomatic implants, may need to be considered, we will explain what we found and why. Visit our clinic, we can also discuss a referral to a clinician with the advanced surgical training required for your case.
Before treatment begins, you should understand who will plan the final teeth, who will do the surgery, what recovery may be like, the expected costs and number of visits, and who will provide your long-term follow-up care.
Common Questions Our Patients Ask
Will zygomatic implant surgery hurt?
Anaesthesia is used during surgery to control discomfort. After surgery, swelling, bruising, tenderness, and pressure can happen.
Recovery is different for everyone. Your treatment team will give you instructions for pain control, eating, oral hygiene, and when to contact them if your symptoms are getting worse instead of better.
Can zygomatic implant treatment be done in one day?
Some patients may be able to receive temporary fixed teeth on the day of surgery or shortly after. This does not mean the full treatment is finished.
The implants and surrounding tissues still need time to heal. The final restoration is usually completed later.
Is bone grafting needed with zygomatic implants?
One reason zygomatic implants may be considered is that they can reduce or avoid the need for a large bone graft in some patients with severe upper-jaw bone loss.
Treatment is different for each patient. An examination and three-dimensional imaging are needed before deciding whether bone grafting or another procedure is required.
How much time does the procedure take?
There is no single treatment time that applies to every patient.
The surgery can take several hours depending on the number of implants, the patient’s anatomy, and how difficult the case is.
The full treatment takes longer because it includes the consultation, scans, planning, surgery, healing, follow-up visits, and the final teeth.
How long might zygomatic implants last?
No one can guarantee exactly how long a zygomatic implant will last. Published studies have reported high long-term implant survival, but how long the treatment lasts can also depend on oral hygiene, smoking, sinus health, bite forces, general health, maintenance visits, and the condition of the fixed restoration.
Who might not be a good candidate for zygomatic implants?
Zygomatic implants may not be suitable for a person who has an uncontrolled medical condition, an active mouth infection, untreated sinus disease, anatomy that does not allow safe implant placement, or difficulty keeping a fixed restoration clean.
A full dental and medical assessment is needed before making this decision.
Are zygomatic implants a better choice than regular implants?
Not always. If enough healthy jawbone is available, regular dental implants may be a simpler option.
Zygomatic implants are mainly considered when severe upper-jaw bone loss makes regular implant placement difficult. The goal is to choose a suitable treatment without adding more complexity than needed.
Not Sure Which Dental Implant Option is Right for You?
Bone loss can make implant treatment feel confusing, but you do not have to choose the treatment by yourself.
At Timberlea Dental in Fort McMurray, our general dentists can check your oral health, review the bone you have available, discuss your concerns, and explain which implant options may be suitable for you.
If advanced surgical care is needed, we will explain why and discuss the next step.
To learn more about your options, contact Timberlea Dental to book a dental implant consultation in Fort McMurray.
