Dental · Dental Implants · Procedure

Zygomatic Implants: The Procedure, Step by Step

Fixtures pass beside or through the sinus into the zygoma, bypassing the maxilla entirely — a maxillofacial procedure, not routine implantology. This page covers the zygomatic implants appointment itself — what is prepared beforehand, what happens in the chair, and what the first hours afterwards feel like. Plan for 1 surgical visit under sedation or ga and 10-14 days.

Get my free quote See recovery timeline →
10,000+International patients matched to date
70%Maximum typical savings vs UK/US pricing
25+Nationalities we coordinate care for each year
24hTypical time to receive your matched quote
Quick answer

Chair time runs roughly 20-30 minutes per fixture once the flap is open, so a single implant is a short appointment while a full arch typically occupies two to three hours including the temporary. Implant placement is done under local anaesthetic infiltrated around the ridge; you stay awake, feel pressure and drilling vibration but no pain. IV sedation is offered for longer arch cases and for patients with a strong gag reflex. Fixtures pass beside or through the sinus into the zygoma, bypassing the maxilla entirely — a maxillofacial procedure, not routine implantology.

Before your procedure

What's confirmed before you're in the chair.

  • A CBCT scan, not a panoramic X-ray, to measure bone height and width at each planned site
  • A list of blood thinners, bisphosphonates and diabetes medication sent to the surgeon in advance
  • Any active gum infection treated before the surgical date, not on the same visit
  • Confirmation of the implant brand and the abutment system in writing, so future servicing is possible anywhere
  • A written, fixed price covering 1 surgical visit under sedation or ga — confirmed before you fly, not on arrival
Step by step

What happens during zygomatic implants.

  • Stop 01

    Records check on arrival

    Your scan or photographs are reviewed in person against the remote plan. Fixtures pass beside or through the sinus into the zygoma, bypassing the maxilla entirely — a maxillofacial procedure, not routine implantology.

  • Stop 02

    Site preparation

    The gum is reflected and the osteotomy is drilled in graduated steps under saline irrigation to keep the bone below 47°C — overheating is the classic cause of early failure.

  • Stop 03

    Fixture placement and torque reading

    Each implant is driven to a recorded insertion torque. That number decides whether a temporary can be loaded immediately or whether the site is left to integrate submerged.

  • Stop 04

    Closure and temporary

    Sutures go in, and a healing abutment or an immediate temporary is fitted depending on the torque reading and where the implant sits in the smile line.

  • Stop 05

    What is specific to this option

    Longer implants anchored in the cheekbone for patients with severe upper jaw bone loss.

  • Stop 06

    Debrief and follow-up

    You leave with written aftercare and the follow-up schedule fixed — for this option that means 10-14 days, with 1 surgical visit under sedation or ga in total.

Anaesthesia & duration

Implant placement is done under local anaesthetic infiltrated around the ridge; you stay awake, feel pressure and drilling vibration but no pain. IV sedation is offered for longer arch cases and for patients with a strong gag reflex.

Chair time runs roughly 20-30 minutes per fixture once the flap is open, so a single implant is a short appointment while a full arch typically occupies two to three hours including the temporary.

Who performs it

An oral surgeon or an implantologist places the fixtures; the prosthetic stage — abutment, scan, crown or arch — is usually handled by a prosthodontist working with the same in-house laboratory.

Right after the procedure

Expect gauze pressure for 30-45 minutes, a numb lip for two to four hours and a small amount of oozing on the first evening. You walk out unaided, but you should not fly the same day if a graft or sinus lift was involved.

Learn more

Cost and alternatives for Zygomatic Implants.

Compare vs alternatives → See full cost breakdown →
FAQ

Procedure questions, answered

Is a zygomatic implant risky?

It is the most invasive fixed option and belongs with an experienced maxillofacial surgeon. In the right hands survival rates are comparable to grafted conventional implants, without the graft healing time.

Will it affect my sinuses?

Temporary sinus pressure and congestion are normal for a couple of weeks. Persistent symptoms need review, which is why remote follow-up terms matter here.

What insertion torque did my implant reach?

Ask for the figure in Ncm. Above roughly 35 Ncm supports an immediate temporary; below that, the fixture is normally left to integrate before anything is loaded on it.

Which implant brand is being used?

Get the brand and reference in writing. A globally distributed system can be serviced by any dentist at home; an unbranded fixture often cannot.

Will I need a bone graft or sinus lift?

Only the CBCT answers this. If a graft is likely, ask whether it is quoted separately and how many extra months it adds before the final restoration.

How many visits does zygomatic implants need in total?

1 surgical visit under sedation or GA — and 10-14 days. Any quote that compresses that materially is worth a second read, because laboratory and healing time set the schedule, not the clinic diary.

How does this compare with the closest alternative?

Sinus grafting plus standard implants is slower but less invasive; All-on-4 works only if anterior bone remains.

Recognise the signs

Signs it might be time to look into this.

01

You have been told implants are impossible

Zygomatic anchorage exists specifically for jaws that conventional implantology has ruled out.

02

A previous graft or implant failed

Repeat grafting is not the only route after a failure in the upper jaw.

03

You have worn an upper denture for many years

Long-term denture wear thins the maxilla, which is the anatomy this technique was designed for.

Specific to this option

Zygomatic Implants: The Procedure, Step by Step: at a glance.

Fixtures pass beside or through the sinus into the zygoma, bypassing the maxilla entirely — a maxillofacial procedure, not routine implantology.

Sessions1 surgical visit under sedation or GA
Time in Turkey10-14 days
Recovery2-3 weeks of swelling and sinus pressure; soft food 8 weeks
Expected lifespan10-20 years with disciplined hygiene and annual review

Closest alternative

Sinus grafting plus standard implants is slower but less invasive; All-on-4 works only if anterior bone remains.

Related options

You might also compare

See how recovery from zygomatic implants works

Timeline, aftercare and what to watch for, day by day.

View recovery guide
In-depth guide

Zygomatic Implants: the procedure in detail

Fixtures pass beside or through the sinus into the zygoma, bypassing the maxilla entirely — a maxillofacial procedure, not routine implantology. Chair time runs roughly 20-30 minutes per fixture once the flap is open, so a single implant is a short appointment while a full arch typically occupies two to three hours including the temporary.

What zygomatic implants involves on the day

Fixtures pass beside or through the sinus into the zygoma, bypassing the maxilla entirely — a maxillofacial procedure, not routine implantology. Implant placement is done under local anaesthetic infiltrated around the ridge; you stay awake, feel pressure and drilling vibration but no pain. IV sedation is offered for longer arch cases and for patients with a strong gag reflex. Chair time runs roughly 20-30 minutes per fixture once the flap is open, so a single implant is a short appointment while a full arch typically occupies two to three hours including the temporary.

Who does the work

An oral surgeon or an implantologist places the fixtures; the prosthetic stage — abutment, scan, crown or arch — is usually handled by a prosthodontist working with the same in-house laboratory. Expect gauze pressure for 30-45 minutes, a numb lip for two to four hours and a small amount of oozing on the first evening. You walk out unaided, but you should not fly the same day if a graft or sinus lift was involved.

What to confirm before you book

  • A CBCT scan, not a panoramic X-ray, to measure bone height and width at each planned site
  • A list of blood thinners, bisphosphonates and diabetes medication sent to the surgeon in advance
  • Any active gum infection treated before the surgical date, not on the same visit
  • Confirmation of the implant brand and the abutment system in writing, so future servicing is possible anywhere

Schedule

1 surgical visit under sedation or GA and 10-14 days are what the plan is built around. Sinus grafting plus standard implants is slower but less invasive; All-on-4 works only if anterior bone remains.

This page is general educational information, not medical advice, and does not replace guidance from your treating clinician. Always follow the specific instructions given by your treating clinic, and contact them directly with any concerns about your individual case.
Get my free quote