For patients with severe upper jaw bone loss, zygomatic implants anchor into the cheekbone instead of the jaw — often avoiding extensive bone grafting and shortening overall treatment time.
A long-term solution when traditional implants aren't an option.
Dental implants are a top choice for permanent tooth replacement. Traditional implants, however, need good jawbone density to fuse properly — a process known as osseointegration. With severe bone loss in the upper jaw, close to the maxillary sinus, they may not be the best option.
Zygomatic implants are specialized implants made for people with bone atrophy in the upper jaw. Instead of going into the jawbone, they are placed in the zygomatic bone — the cheekbone. The cheekbone is naturally strong and offers a large area for implant placement, so the extensive bone grafting usually required when there is significant bone loss can often be avoided.
A good choice over traditional dental implants for patients with insufficient upper jawbone density.
Bypassing bone grafting markedly shortens the overall treatment time, so implant-supported teeth can be placed sooner than with traditional grafting methods.
Zygomatic implants can often eliminate the need for extensive bone grafting, reducing the number of procedures and overall treatment time for patients with severe upper-jaw bone loss.
Full-arch rehabilitation can help restore facial support and proportions affected by long-term tooth and bone loss.
The robustness of the zygomatic bone provides strong anchorage, supporting implant stability and long-term function.
In many cases, temporary dental prosthetics can be placed immediately after surgery — restoring smile aesthetics and function right away.
Zygomatic implants are a good choice for patients who:
Every patient and every case is unique. Here is how the zygomatic implant process unfolds.
A thorough oral exam, X-rays, and 3D scans determine whether you're a good candidate for the procedure.
Your surgeon outlines a treatment plan tailored to you, explaining the procedure and its timeline.
The implants are placed into the zygomatic bone under anesthesia to help keep you comfortable throughout the procedure.
After healing and integration, custom-made prosthetics — crowns, bridges, or fixed teeth — are fitted to restore your smile.
I had severe bone loss and was told that my case was too complicated and the only doctor to see was Dr. Franco. He performed surgery and inserted zygomatic implants on top and regular implants on the bottom.
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A board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon with more than 20 years of experience. Trained as a dentist in Colombia, he completed surgical training at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago and a fellowship at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas — and remains on the faculty of Texas A&M University, so the latest research and techniques go directly into how he treats every patient.
Where Dr. Franco trained as a dentist and earned his surgical foundation.
Surgical training in Chicago.
Fellowship training in Dallas.
If you're missing teeth in your upper jaw and don't have enough bone for traditional implants, zygomatic implants could be the answer. Serving Irving, Mesquite, Ennis, and all of Dallas–Fort Worth. Medicaid accepted. Most insurance plans welcomed.