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Zygomatic Implants: Who They're For and What Makes Them Different

Dr. Igor Kaplansky, DDS · April 18, 2026 · 6 min read

Medically reviewed by Dr. Igor Kaplansky, DDS — April 18, 2026

Zygomatic implants are a full-arch solution for patients with severe bone loss in the upper jaw who have been told they cannot receive standard dental implants. Instead of anchoring in the jaw ridge — which may have resorbed significantly — zygomatic implants anchor in the zygomatic bone (the cheekbone), a dense, stable anatomical structure that is unaffected by tooth loss. The result is a fixed full-arch restoration that requires no bone grafting and no extended waiting period.

Who Zygomatic Implants Are Designed For

The typical zygomatic candidate has experienced one or more of the following:

• Long-term upper tooth loss or denture wear that has caused significant jaw ridge resorption
• Severe atrophy of the posterior maxilla (back of the upper jaw) confirmed by CT imaging
• Previous consultation at another practice where bone grafting was deemed necessary or extensive, and the patient prefers to avoid that pathway
• Prior failed standard implants due to inadequate bone support

Patients in this group have historically had limited options: accept dentures permanently, undergo extensive and expensive bone grafting procedures with long waiting periods, or travel for specialty care. Zygomatic implants exist specifically for this situation.

What Makes Zygomatic Implants Structurally Different

A standard dental implant is 8–16 mm long and anchors entirely within the jawbone. A zygomatic implant is significantly longer — typically 30–52 mm — and is angled to pass through the posterior maxilla and anchor in the body of the zygomatic bone. The engagement length in the cheekbone provides the primary stability that the resorbed jaw ridge cannot.

This design requires specialized surgical training. The procedure involves precise three-dimensional planning from CBCT imaging and a detailed understanding of maxillofacial anatomy. It is not a procedure performed at general dentistry practices.

ZAGA Certification and Why It Matters

ZAGA Centers — Zygomatic Excellence is the international certification body for zygomatic implant specialists. To achieve ZAGA Center certification, a clinician must meet specific training, case volume, and outcome criteria established by the international ZAGA faculty.

Dr. Igor Kaplansky, DDS — Diplomate ABOI/ID, Fellow AAID/FICOI/FAGD, ZAGA Center certified — is one of only 11 ZAGA-certified zygomatic implant specialists in the United States. There is no other ZAGA-certified provider in Western New York. This means that patients in the Gasport, Lockport, Niagara Falls, Buffalo, and broader Western New York region who need zygomatic implants can receive that care locally rather than traveling to New York City or out of state.

The Clinical Advantages

No bone grafting required. Traditional grafting for severe upper jaw bone loss can add three to nine months to the total treatment timeline and significant cost. Zygomatic implants bypass that process entirely by anchoring in bone that doesn’t require augmentation.

Fixed teeth, not a denture. Like standard full-arch implants, zygomatic restorations are fixed and non-removable. Patients do not take them out at night, do not use adhesives, and do not experience the shifting and discomfort of traditional dentures.

Immediate provisional teeth. Provisional teeth are typically delivered within 24–48 hours of zygomatic implant placement, during osseointegration.

Long-term stability. When appropriately indicated and placed by a trained specialist, zygomatic implants show comparable long-term survival rates to standard implants. The cheekbone provides excellent anchorage that does not resorb under load.

What the Procedure Involves

Pre-surgical 3D CBCT imaging maps the exact anatomy — cheekbone dimensions, sinus proximity, and available bone. The surgical guide is fabricated from this data. Surgery is performed under local anesthesia with IV sedation typically available for patient comfort.

Zygomatic implants are often combined with one or two standard implants in the anterior jaw where bone remains — a hybrid approach that maximizes stability.

Post-operative recovery follows the same general pattern as full-arch implant surgery: seven to ten days of modified activity, a soft diet during osseointegration, and prescribed anti-inflammatory management. Most patients describe discomfort as manageable and well-controlled.

Permanent zirconia prosthetics are placed after osseointegration is confirmed — typically three to five months post-surgery.

Finding Out If You’re a Candidate

If another practice has told you that you need extensive bone grafting or are not a candidate for implants, that assessment may have been made without zygomatic implants as an option. A consultation at Dentistry by Dr. Kaplansky in Gasport, NY includes the imaging and clinical evaluation to determine whether zygomatic implants are appropriate for your anatomy.

Consultations are at no charge. Patients travel to this practice from Lockport, Niagara Falls, Buffalo, Rochester, and across New York State for zygomatic implant evaluation. Schedule a consultation or read more on the zygomatic implants service page.

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Related: Zygomatic Implants Service Page · TeethNow Full-Arch System · Bone Grafting Guide · Dental Implants Overview