Glendale, Arizona

Zygomatic Implants in Glendale, AZ

Fixed full-arch restorations for patients with severe upper-jaw bone loss

Written by Richard Dawson, DMD ICOI Fellow Reviewed by John Turke DMD Updated April 2026
400+ Five-Star ReviewsGoogle combined
4000+ Implants PlacedFull-arch expertise
30% More AffordableThan national averages
Free ConsultationsSame-day CBCT scan included

What are Zygomatic Implants?

A fixed upper bridge when bone is limited

Zygomatic implants are longer dental implants anchored in the cheekbone, also called the zygoma. The zygoma is dense, stable bone. It allows us to secure a fixed upper bridge for patients who have severe bone loss in the upper jaw, have had sinus grafts fail, or were told they are not a candidate for traditional implants.

Key benefits

  • Uses the cheekbone for strong anchorage when upper-jaw bone is thin
  • Often avoids sinus grafting and lengthy healing
  • Can support a same-day fixed provisional in qualified cases
  • Designed for patients who want a stable, non-removable solution

Who is this for

  • Long-term denture wearers with severe upper bone loss
  • Patients with failed sinus lifts or grafts
  • Patients told implants are not possible due to the sinuses or poor bone
  • Strong bite or bruxism cases where added support is helpful

How the process works

  • CBCT scan and digital planning
  • Sedation options reviewed with our in-house anesthesia team
  • Placement of zygomatic and companion implants
  • Same-day fixed provisional in many cases
  • Integration and bite refinement
  • Delivery of the final bridge and maintenance plan
Zygomatic ApproachTraditional Implants with Grafting
Fixed teeth sooner in many severe bone-loss cases, often with no sinus grafting.More surgeries, longer timeline, can be appropriate in select cases. We recommend the option that best matches your anatomy, health, and goals after a full exam.

Am I a Candidate for Zygomatic Implants?

Zygomatic implants are specifically designed for patients with severe upper jaw bone loss who want a stable, fixed full-arch solution.

You may be a strong candidate if you:

  • Have worn an upper denture for many years
  • Were told you “do not have enough bone for implants”
  • Previously had a sinus lift or graft that failed
  • Have severe maxillary bone resorption or sinus expansion
  • Want a permanent, non-removable solution
  • Want to restore facial support, chewing function, and confidence
  • Prefer to avoid prolonged grafting or multi-stage surgeries
  • Have strong bite forces requiring greater implant support

Not sure how much bone you have?

The only way to determine whether zygomatic implants are appropriate is with a 3-D CBCT scan. Your free consultation at SmileScience includes one at no charge.

When All-on-4® may be preferred

All-on-4® uses implants in the upper jaw bone directly. When adequate bone exists, All-on-4® is often the simpler approach. Dr. Dawson reviews both options at your consultation.

When zygomatic implants are the better option

When the upper jaw is severely resorbed or the sinuses have expanded into areas where bone once was, zygomatic implants anchor in the dense cheekbone -- creating the foundation needed for a fixed upper bridge without bone grafting.

  1. Step 1: Consultation & 3-D Imaging

  2. Step 2: Digital Planning & Case Design

  3. Step 3: Surgery Day

  4. Step 4: Healing & Bite Refinement

    Several months
  5. Step 5: Delivery of the Final Bridge

  6. Step 6: Maintenance & Long-Term Care

    Ongoing

Why Have Zygomatic Implants Done at Smile Science?

Advanced full-arch expertise, in-house technology, and coordinated team care -- all in one Glendale location.

Full-Arch Expertise

We restore full smiles daily, including complex upper arch cases involving severe bone loss and sinus encroachment. Dr. Dawson is an ICOI Fellow with advanced full-arch surgical training.

Coordinated Team Care

Surgical and restorative treatment are planned and delivered in one location. Our board-certified dental anesthesiologist provides IV sedation so the entire procedure is comfortable from start to finish.

Same-Day Provisional Available

When implant stability is adequate, we secure a fixed non-removable provisional bridge the same day as surgery. You leave with teeth -- not a removable denture -- while the final bridge is fabricated.

Material Options for Your Bite

Final bridge materials include full-contour zirconia or titanium-based hybrid designs. Dr. Turke selects the material that best matches your bite force, esthetic goals, and long-term durability needs.

  • Specialty leadership in upper-jaw full-arch rehab including zygomatic treatments
  • Single-venue care: diagnostics, surgery, recovery, and final prosthesis all in one Glendale location
  • Transparent pricing and detailed pre-treatment planning -- written estimate provided before any commitment
  • Ongoing maintenance program built into your long-term care plan

Affordable Financing Options

We work with trusted lenders so you can choose a monthly payment that fits your budget. All applications are quick, done online, and many offer a soft credit check to see options first.

Cherry

Simple monthly payments with a fast, mobile-first application. Good fit for small to mid-size treatments and phased care.

Proceed Finance

Designed for larger treatment plans such as full-arch or complex cases. Longer terms and fixed monthly payments help keep costs predictable.

Sunbit

Fast approvals with a simple application and clear monthly payments. Often a good option for patients across a wide range of credit profiles.

CareCredit

A dedicated health and wellness credit card you can use here and at other providers. Promotional financing on qualifying purchases.

Our Implant Warranty

Real Protection, Not Hype

No dental prosthesis lasts forever without maintenance. Most “lifetime” promises exclude common causes of failure. If a clinic is sold or closes, those warranties typically disappear.

What’s CoveredHow LongWhat it MeansYour Part
Implant Fixture (the titanium implant in bone)10 yearsIf the implant fails under normal use, we will replace the fixture.Regular hygiene visits, good home care, proper nightguard use, no nicotine use, and follow your maintenance plan.
Prosthetic Restoration (bridge, full arch, or crown)5 yearsCovers fractures or failures under normal use. We’ll repair or replace as needed.Routine scheduled checks, report issues early, wear a night guard as prescribed.
Surgical Complications3 yearsIf a fixture fails early despite proper healing, we’ll replace it at no fee.Follow post-op instructions and attend follow-up appointments.

Why we don’t say “lifetime warranty”

  • No dental prosthesis lasts forever without maintenance.
  • Most “lifetime” promises exclude common causes of failure.
  • If a clinic is sold or closes, those warranties typically disappear.

Our approach

  • Clear coverage and responsibilities.
  • No hidden fine print.
  • The same high standard of care years after treatment.

Bottom Line

You deserve a warranty that’s clear, not just clever wording. We choose transparency over marketing gimmicks, so you know exactly what’s covered, how long it’s covered, and what’s expected to keep it valid.

Medical Review & Evidence

Richard Dawson, DMD, ICOI Fellow
Author: Richard Dawson, DMD, ICOI Fellow Medically Reviewed by: John Turke, DMD Last Updated: April 2026

Zygomatic implants represent one of the most advanced techniques in implant dentistry, providing stable fixed teeth to patients who would otherwise be untreatable with standard implants due to severe upper jaw bone loss.

  • Published systematic reviews report zygomatic implant survival rates of 95-98% over 5-to-10-year follow-up periods in appropriately selected patients with severe maxillary atrophy.[1]
  • Zygomatic anchorage eliminates or reduces the need for sinus grafting, significantly shortening the total treatment timeline for patients with severe upper jaw bone loss.[2]
  • Immediate loading (same-day fixed provisional bridge) is achievable in the majority of zygomatic cases, reducing edentulous time compared to staged conventional implant approaches.[3]
  • CBCT-guided digital planning improves surgical accuracy and reduces operative complications in zygomatic cases by enabling precise virtual placement before the procedure.[4]
  1. Aparicio C, et al. A prospective clinical study on titanium implants in the zygomatic arch for prosthetic rehabilitation. Clin Implant Dent Relat Res. 2010;12:36-46.
  2. Miglioranca RM, et al. Rehabilitation of the atrophic maxilla using zygomatic fixtures in combination with anterior conventional implants. Implant Dent. 2011;20:28-33.
  3. Davó R, et al. Immediate function of 4 implants placed with a minimally invasive flap-less approach for full-arch fixed prostheses. J Prosthodont. 2012;21:113-122.
  4. Schlund M, et al. Computer-guided implant surgery in the zygomatic bone. J Stomatol Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2019;120:418-422.

Clinical outcomes vary based on patient anatomy, systemic health, case complexity, and adherence to maintenance protocols. All cases are evaluated individually with 3D CBCT imaging before treatment planning.

4.9 (437 reviews)

Interactive candidacy assessment

Are you a candidate for dental implants?

Walk through the same screening questions a real implant consult covers — bone, gum health, medical history, lifestyle — and we’ll tell you what tier you fall into and which treatment path fits your situation. Most patients finish in under three minutes.

  • 10questions
  • ~3minutes
  • 5candidacy tiers
  • In-housesurgical team

Created by Dr. Richard Dawson, DMD · Reviewed by Dr. John Turke, DMD · ICOI Fellow · Zygomatic-implant capable

Final candidacy is confirmed by a clinical exam and 3D imaging. This tool gives you the same screening framework a real consult uses, so you arrive informed and ready to ask the right questions.

Reference

The five candidacy tiers

Every implant consult places you into one of five candidacy tiers. The interactive tool above predicts your tier from your answers; a clinical exam confirms it.

Tier

Positive

Profile

Non-smoker, no diabetes (or well-controlled), age 25–70, single or multiple missing teeth without significant bone loss.

Excellent Candidate

Healthy bone, healthy gums, no medical or lifestyle factors that interfere with implant integration. The most predictable case type with the highest long-term success rates.

Typical next step Clinical exam + 3D CBCT imaging to confirm; treatment can usually start within weeks.

Tier

Attention

Profile

Mild gum issues, well-controlled diabetes, occasional smoker who is willing to pause for healing, recent ex-smoker.

Good Candidate, with Prep

A strong candidate after addressing one or two factors first — typically a deep cleaning for mild gum issues, a simple bone graft for minor bone loss, or stabilizing a medical condition.

Typical next step Address the prep factor first (1–3 months), then proceed to standard implant placement.

Tier

Attention

Profile

Single or multi-tooth replacement with known or suspected bone loss; teeth missing for several years; previous extractions that healed without grafts.

Needs Bone Grafting First

The bone in the implant area has shrunk too much to support a standard implant directly. A bone graft (sometimes combined with a sinus lift) builds the site back up over 4–6 months, after which implants are placed normally.

Typical next step Bone graft consult and procedure first; implant placement 4–6 months later.

Tier

Attention

Profile

Long-term denture wearers, full-arch failures, severe upper-jaw bone loss, post-cancer reconstruction.

Specialist Case (All-on-4 / Zygomatic)

Full-arch tooth replacement combined with severe bone loss. Specialty options like All-on-4, All-on-6, or zygomatic implants (anchored in the cheekbone) make implants possible when traditional placement isn't. Most general practices refer these out — Smile Science places them in-house.

Typical next step Full-arch consult with the implant team; CBCT imaging guides the specific approach.

Tier

Caution

Profile

Uncontrolled medical conditions, certain bone-affecting medications, untreated active gum disease, post-radiation patients, growing patients.

Not the Right Next Step Right Now

A factor blocks implants safely right now — typically uncontrolled diabetes, IV bisphosphonates, recent head/neck radiation, active periodontitis, or being under 18. The right next step is a planning consult to identify the blocking factor and map out a path that resolves it.

Typical next step Planning consult to identify the blocking factor; coordinated care with your medical team where needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

A zygomatic implant is a longer dental implant that anchors into the cheekbone instead of the upper jaw. The cheekbone is dense and stable, which allows a fixed full-arch bridge even when there is severe bone loss in the upper jaw.

The implant is placed at an angle that allows it to engage the strong zygoma bone. When combined with additional implants in the front of the arch, it creates a stable foundation for a fixed set of teeth.

Patients with significant upper jaw bone loss, long-term denture wearers, patients with failed sinus grafts, and patients who were previously told they are not candidates for traditional implants may qualify.

They often make it possible to avoid sinus grafts, allow a fixed same-day provisional bridge, restore biting function, improve facial support, and provide a stable non-removable solution in severe bone loss cases.

Studies report high survival rates over long follow-up periods when placed and restored correctly. Long-term success depends on proper planning, stable bite design, professional maintenance, and consistent home care.

Recent systematic reviews report high survival rates similar to conventional full-arch implant therapy. The success rate depends on case selection, surgical experience, prosthesis design, and follow-up care.

Costs vary based on case complexity, sedation, number of implants, and final bridge material. A written treatment plan is provided after evaluation.

In many cases, yes. When implant stability is sufficient, a fixed provisional bridge can be secured on the day of surgery. Some cases require a staged approach depending on anatomy and healing.

All-on-4 uses implants in the upper jaw bone. Zygomatic implants are used when that bone is too thin or resorbed. They anchor in the cheekbone to create the support needed for a fixed bridge in advanced upper jaw bone loss.

The procedure is more complex than standard implant placement and requires advanced training and planning. Some patients may experience temporary swelling or sinus-related discomfort. Serious complications are uncommon when performed by experienced surgical teams.

Yes. The esthetics come from the final full-arch bridge, which is designed to match your smile shape, facial features, and bite. Materials may include zirconia or titanium-based hybrid designs.

No. The implants are covered by the gums and the fixed bridge. You see and feel the teeth, not the implants themselves.

Most patients experience swelling and pressure for a few days. Soft foods are recommended at first. Follow-up visits help monitor healing and comfort during the adjustment period.

Yes, when placed by trained clinicians using CBCT-guided planning. Like any surgical procedure, risks exist, but careful planning and skilled execution make complications uncommon.

Daily cleaning under and around the bridge and regular professional maintenance visits are essential. We provide specific home care instructions and supportive products to help you protect your implants.

Zygomatic Implants Glossary

A longer dental implant that anchors into the zygoma bone (cheekbone) to support a fixed upper bridge when the upper jaw does not have enough bone for standard implants.
A dense, strong facial bone located above the upper jaw. Its strength and structure allow it to serve as a stable anchorage point for remote implant support.
A treatment method that uses bone outside the upper jaw to stabilize implants, such as the zygoma or pterygoid regions. Used when the upper jaw bone is severely resorbed.
Loss of bone in the upper jaw. Common in long-term denture wearers or after tooth loss. This can limit the ability to place traditional dental implants.
Expansion of the sinus cavity into areas where bone used to be. This reduces available implant-supporting bone in the upper jaw.
An implant placed near the pterygoid plate, located behind the upper jaw. Often used along with zygomatic implants when additional support is needed.
A treatment approach where a fixed provisional bridge is placed on the implants on the day of surgery, instead of waiting months before attaching teeth.
A complete set of replacement teeth attached to implants to restore an entire upper or lower arch.
A fixed full-arch prosthesis with a titanium internal framework and high-strength acrylic or PMMA for teeth and gum shading.
A full-arch prosthesis milled from zirconia, known for strength, stability, and long-term esthetics.
The planned bite design that helps distribute chewing forces evenly across the implants and prosthesis.
A scheduled cleaning and evaluation appointment to keep the implants, gums, and bridge healthy over time.

Zygomatic Implant Pricing

Zygomatic implants are a specialized procedure and pricing varies significantly based on case complexity, number of zygomatic implants required, companion implants, sedation approach, and final prosthetic selection. A written cost estimate cannot be provided without a 3D CBCT evaluation of your specific anatomy.

For reference, full-arch implant restorations using zygomatic anchorage typically start at $25,000 per arch and may exceed $40,000 for complex bilateral cases. Financing through Cherry, Proceed Finance, Sunbit, and CareCredit is available with monthly payment options.

Your free consultation includes a same-day CBCT scan and a written treatment plan so you know the complete cost before making any decision.

Free Zygomatic Implant Assessment

Free consultations include same-day CBCT scan, photography, & treatment planning. No commitment required.