Zygomatic Implants in Turkey: An Option for Severe Upper Jaw Bone Loss

A zygomatic implant is a longer dental implant that anchors in the cheekbone (the zygomatic bone) rather than in the upper jawbone. It is used only in the upper jaw. In a conventional implant, the fixture is placed straight down into the jaw and relies entirely on that bone for support. Where the upper jaw has lost most of its height and width, there may simply not be enough bone left to hold a conventional implant securely.

The cheekbone sits above and behind the upper jaw and is generally dense and stable, even after the jawbone itself has resorbed. A zygomatic implant is angled from the gum, through or alongside the remaining jawbone, into the cheekbone, where it gains its primary anchorage. Because it does not depend on the height of the upper jaw, it can sometimes provide a fixed solution where bone grafting would otherwise be extensive, or where grafting has already failed.

Zygomatic implants are usually combined with two to four standard implants placed in any remaining healthy bone at the front of the jaw, and together they support a fixed full-arch prosthesis. They are a specific answer to a specific problem — severe upper jaw bone loss — not a routine alternative to conventional implants.

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Zygomatic implants are one of the options considered when planning full-arch treatment for the upper jaw. They sit alongside All-on-4, All-on-6 and bone grafting as ways of reaching a fixed result, and the choice between them depends on how much bone is available on the CBCT scan.

When enough bone remains, All-on-4 or All-on-6 in the upper jaw is usually the more conservative option. When bone loss is severe and grafting would mean a long course of treatment with an uncertain outcome, zygomatic implants become a way to reach a fixed arch more directly. They are not used in the lower jaw, where guided bone regeneration is the usual route if bone is insufficient.

Zygomatic implants are considered for a specific group of patients, not for most people who need implants. Your dentist reviews your CBCT scan and history before recommending them:

Zygomatic implants are not offered in the lower jaw, and they are not usually the first option suggested — your dentist explains why a conventional implant, grafting or a zygomatic approach fits your specific scan.

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Because the cheekbone lies close to the sinus, the eye socket and the nerves in that area, zygomatic implant surgery is planned from detailed 3D imaging rather than estimated from a standard X-ray. A CBCT scan measures the shape and density of the cheekbone and confirms the safe angle and length for each implant before surgery.

During surgery, the implant is placed under anaesthesia through the upper gum and jaw, following the planned path into the cheekbone. Depending on how much healthy bone remains at the front of the jaw, two to four standard implants are usually placed alongside the zygomatic implants to support the front of the arch. In many cases, a fixed temporary set of teeth can be attached once the implants are stable, with the final restoration made once healing is confirmed.

The final plan — the number of zygomatic and standard implants, and whether temporary teeth are fitted at the same visit — is confirmed after your CBCT scan, not before.

Swelling, bruising and some tenderness around the cheek and upper lip are common for the first several days after zygomatic implant surgery, usually more noticeable than after a conventional implant because more tissue is involved. Ordinary painkillers and cold compresses are typically used to manage this, and your dentist gives you specific instructions for your case.

For the first days, soft foods and avoiding pressure on the treated area are advised, and smoking should be avoided, as it slows healing. If fixed temporary teeth are attached at the time of surgery, you are shown how to keep them and the surgical sites clean. Healing before the final restoration takes a period of months and depends on how your implants integrate, which is checked at follow-up. Written aftercare instructions are provided before you leave Istanbul, and we stay in touch for remote follow-up once you are home.

Zygomatic implant surgery is more involved than a conventional implant and carries its own risks, which your dentist explains for your specific case before you consent:

Because the anatomy involved is more complex than a standard implant site, careful CBCT planning and an experienced surgeon are used to reduce these risks, but they cannot be removed entirely.

Zygomatic implants are one route to a fixed upper arch when bone loss is severe, but they are not the only one. Your dentist compares these options against your CBCT scan before recommending a plan.

Send us your photos or any existing X-rays or CT scans for a free online consultation. Our dentists review them and reply with a written treatment plan, whether a zygomatic approach fits your case, and a clear quote, so you can decide before you travel.

Severe upper jaw bone loss usually develops gradually after teeth have been missing for years, or after long-term denture wear without implants to carry chewing forces into the bone. The causes, signs and how bone loss is measured on a CBCT scan are explained on its own page.

Zygomatic implant treatment at Er Dental Clinic is planned and carried out by Enes Yol, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, with a CBCT scan reviewed before any surgery is proposed.

The clinic holds an International Health Tourism Authorization Certificate issued by the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Health (certificate no. ST-6264, dated 27 August 2025), which carries the HealthTürkiye logo. You can check it yourself on the e-Devlet document verification service at turkiye.gov.tr/saglik-bakanligi-ebys with the code 3D0867DC-7D38-4EBF-B6D7-7B8F049AC725.

1. 1Online review. Your photos and any existing scans are reviewed and you receive a written treatment plan and quote before you travel.
2. 2CBCT diagnosis. A CBCT scan measures the cheekbone and remaining jawbone and confirms whether a zygomatic approach fits your case.
3. 3Surgical placement. Zygomatic and, where possible, standard implants are placed under anaesthesia in a single planned procedure.
4. 4Written warranty. Implant fixtures carry a lifetime warranty; crowns, bridges and veneers are covered for 5 years, provided you keep to the recommended hygiene and check-up schedule.
5. 5Remote follow-up. Aftercare instructions and your treatment documents before you leave, and remote follow-up once you are home.

Zygomatic implant treatment is priced as a package, because the number of zygomatic and standard implants depends on your anatomy. Our published prices are clinic-direct rates. The exact package and price for your case are confirmed after your CBCT scan and disclosed in writing before you travel.

• Hybrid Zygomatic package (2 zygomatic + 2 standard implants), Nobel Biocare: £12,000 / €14,000 / $16,250.
• Quad Zygomatic package (4 zygomatic implants), Nobel Biocare: £13,800 / €16,000 / $18,600.

These figures do not include the fixed teeth fitted on top, which are quoted separately once your plan is set. The price page lists every full-arch package and what each one includes.