Zygomatic Dental Implants - Miami

What Are Zygomatic Dental Implants?

Conventional implants anchor into the alveolar bone – the portion of the jaw that normally supports teeth. When that bone has receded from age, trauma, long-term tooth loss, or advanced periodontal disease, traditional implants have nothing to hold onto. Most practices respond by recommending months, sometimes a full year, of bone grafting and sinus lifts before an implant can even be placed.

Zygomatic implants solve this differently. Instead of trying to rebuild lost jawbone, they bypass it altogether by anchoring into the zygoma, or cheekbone. The zygoma is significantly denser than the upper jaw and remarkably resistant to the resorption that affects the maxilla after tooth loss, giving these implants an exceptionally stable foundation from day one.

This approach is frequently combined with a full-arch restoration – sometimes called a zygomatic All-on-4 – to deliver a complete, fixed upper arch of teeth in a single surgical visit.

Zygomatic Implants vs. Traditional Implants

Feature	Traditional Implants	Zygomatic Implants
Anchorage point	Maxillary (upper jaw) bone	Zygomatic (cheek) bone
Bone grafting	Often required	Rarely required
Treatment timeline	6–12 months	Same-day / immediate load
Candidacy with severe bone loss	Limited	Typically possible
Surgical complexity	Standard	High — specialist level
Success rate	High (when adequate bone exists)	Exceptionally high
Sinus lift needed	Often	Rarely

“Side-by-side diagram comparing traditional dental implants anchored in the jaw with zygomatic implants anchored in the cheekbone.”

Who Is a Candidate?

Zygomatic implants were originally developed for patients with the most severe upper-jaw bone loss. You may be a candidate if you:

Have been told you have insufficient bone for traditional implants
Have a failed bone graft or want to avoid grafting altogether
Have advanced periodontal disease with significant bone resorption
Have worn upper dentures for many years and experienced bone atrophy
Had trauma or tumor-related loss of jawbone
Want to avoid a 6–12 month waiting period between grafting and implant placement
Need same-day teeth for medical, professional, or personal reasons

A 3D cone-beam scan is required to confirm candidacy, but one consistent theme we see is this: most patients who were told “no” elsewhere find out they are, in fact, candidates here.

Key Benefits of the Zygomatic Approach

1. Skip the bone graft entirely. The single biggest advantage. Instead of six to twelve months of grafting and healing before an implant can be placed, zygomatic surgery goes straight to the solution.

2. Same-day fixed teeth. Most patients leave surgery with a fixed temporary bridge already in place. You walk out with a functional smile the same day.

3. Exceptional stability. The zygoma doesn’t resorb the way the upper jawbone does after tooth loss, so the long-term prognosis is excellent.

4. Facial rejuvenation. Severe upper-jaw bone loss creates a “collapsed” or “sunken” mid-face appearance. Zygomatic implants restore structural support to the cheekbones and upper lip, often producing a subtle but noticeable lift.

5. Restored bite force. Patients regain the ability to eat the foods they’ve avoided for years – steak, apples, corn on the cob – with confidence.

6. A fixed, permanent solution. These are not dentures. They do not come out. They feel and function like natural teeth.

What to Expect: The Zygomatic Implant Procedure

3D cone-beam CT scan (CBCT). Your case begins with high-resolution imaging that maps your facial anatomy in sub-millimeter detail. We use this to plan the exact trajectory of each implant, identifying safe paths through dense bone and around vital structures.
Digital treatment plan. Using the CBCT data, our surgeons design the entire procedure virtually – implant angles, lengths, prosthetic design – before the first incision.
Surgery under IV sedation. The procedure is performed in our surgical suite with full IV sedation. Most patients remember nothing from the procedure itself. Two to four zygomatic implants are placed, often combined with conventional implants in the front of the mouth.
Immediate temporary bridge. Before you leave, a fixed temporary prosthesis is attached so you have functional teeth from day one.
Healing and integration. Most patients return to normal routines within a few days. A soft-food diet is followed during the initial integration phase, typically 3–6 months, while the implants fuse with the bone.
Final zirconia prosthesis. Once fully integrated, your permanent, high-strength restoration is delivered. Custom-shaped and shaded to match your ideal smile.
Lifetime maintenance. We’ll train you on cleaning protocols using interdental brushes and a water flosser, and see you for routine checkups.

How Long Do Zygomatic Dental Implants Last?

With skilled placement and good long-term hygiene, zygomatic implants are designed to be a permanent, lifelong solution. The zygoma’s resistance to bone loss makes these among the most stable implant foundations in modern dentistry. The prosthetic bridge on top may need refurbishing after 15–20+ years of normal wear, but the underlying implants themselves typically remain stable indefinitely.

Cost of Zygomatic Dental Implants in Miami

Zygomatic implants cost more than standard implants, and the reason is straightforward: you’re paying for a highly specialized surgical solution that solves a problem conventional dentistry can’t. The total investment reflects:

Surgical expertise – this is a specialty-level maxillofacial procedure
Premium implant hardware designed specifically for zygomatic placement
3D cone-beam imaging and digital planning
IV sedation with a dedicated anesthesia team
Custom zirconia prosthesis crafted for your anatomy

Typical inclusions in a full-arch zygomatic quote: surgical placement, temporary bridge, final prosthetic design and delivery, and follow-up care.

What about grafting costs you’re avoiding? When you compare total treatment cost to the traditional grafting + implant path (which can run 6–12 months of appointments and multiple procedures), zygomatic implants are often comparable – and much faster.

Insurance: We’ll run a full benefits check and identify which portions – such as extractions or the prosthetic – may be covered. Surgical placement is often out-of-pocket.

Financing: We partner with CareCredit and Alphaeon Credit and offer multiple in-house payment plans so the procedure can be financed over multiple years.

Every zygomatic case is priced individually after consultation and CBCT imaging. Call 305-661-5297 for a personalized quote.

Serving Miami and Surrounding Communities

Patients travel from across Florida – and from out of state – for zygomatic implant treatment at Love Your Jaws. Here’s what we offer in each of the areas we serve:

South Miami

A specialist-level surgical center with the warmth of a boutique practice. South Miami patients appreciate the continuity of working with one surgeon from consultation through final prosthesis.

Coral Gables

For the Gables, we pair zygomatic precision with the cosmetic refinement the community expects – focusing on mid-face support and natural smile aesthetics, not just function.

Brickell

Brickell professionals benefit from our same-day protocol. Most zygomatic patients take only two to three days off work before returning to meetings with their new fixed smile.

Pinecrest

Pinecrest patients value long-term biological stability. Our bone-preserving approach and biocompatible materials align with the wellness-first mindset common in the community.

Coconut Grove

Coconut Grove patients take advantage of our flexible financing options, making specialty-level oral surgery accessible without compromising on quality.

Key Largo and the Florida Keys

For complex procedures like zygomatic surgery, patients from the Keys know that local expertise is non-negotiable. We consolidate appointments where clinically appropriate to minimize round trips.

Fisher Island and Key Biscayne

Discreet, concierge-level care with a private consultation suite, flexible scheduling, and the clinical precision that complex cases demand.

Referrals Welcome

We regularly receive referrals from general dentists and periodontists across South Florida who don’t offer zygomatic surgery in-house. If your current dentist has told you you’re not a candidate for traditional implants, a zygomatic consultation may change that.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between zygomatic implants and All-on-4?

All-on-4 is a protocol that uses four implants to support a full arch. Zygomatic implants are a type of implant, not a protocol – they’re used when the upper jaw lacks sufficient bone. Many zygomatic cases actually combine both: two zygomatic implants in the back and two conventional implants in the front, supporting a full-arch bridge (sometimes called “zygomatic All-on-4”).

Why do zygomatic implants skip the need for bone grafting?

Because they anchor into the cheekbone (zygoma) rather than the jawbone (maxilla), and the cheekbone doesn’t suffer the same bone loss that occurs after tooth loss. There’s no “missing foundation” to rebuild.

Is zygomatic implant surgery painful?

During surgery, no – you’ll be under IV sedation. Afterward, most patients report swelling and moderate soreness for a few days, managed with prescribed medication. Most return to normal routines within a week.

Can zygomatic implants fail?

The success rate is exceptionally high – higher than many conventional implant scenarios involving severe bone loss – but like any surgical procedure, outcomes depend heavily on surgeon expertise. This is not a “routine” procedure and should only be performed by a specialist with extensive zygomatic experience.

Am I too old for zygomatic implants?

Age alone is rarely a factor. What matters is overall health, and the zygoma itself tends to remain stable and dense across the lifespan. Many of our patients are in their 60s, 70s, and beyond.

How long will I be without teeth?

You won’t be. Most patients leave surgery with a fixed temporary bridge already in place. You’ll go home with functional, non-removable teeth the same day.

How do I clean zygomatic implants?

Just like any fixed implant bridge – a soft toothbrush, interdental brushes, and a water flosser. We provide hands-on training at your final delivery appointment.

I was told I have “no bone” – am I really still a candidate?

Very likely yes. The whole point of zygomatic implants is that they don’t need jawbone. The only way to know for certain is a 3D cone-beam scan, which we perform at your consultation.

How much do zygomatic dental implants cost?

Pricing is case-specific and determined only after a CBCT scan. Call 305-661-5297 to schedule a consultation and personalized quote.

Why Choose Love Your Jaws for Zygomatic Implants

The success of a zygomatic procedure depends almost entirely on the skill of the surgeon. This is not general dentistry – it’s advanced maxillofacial surgery that requires an intimate working knowledge of the facial skeleton, vital structures, and immediate-load prosthetic design.

Love Your Jaws is a preferred center for zygomatic implants in Miami because we combine:

Board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons with dedicated zygomatic experience
3D cone-beam imaging and full digital surgical planning on every case
Computer-guided placement for sub-millimeter accuracy
Full IV sedation suite with licensed anesthesia professionals
In-house final prosthesis design for aesthetic control from surgery through delivery
A “Find the Yes” philosophy — we see patients who’ve been turned away elsewhere, and most of the time, we can help
Transparent pricing with written estimates before treatment begins
CareCredit and in-house financing to keep specialty care accessible

Ready for a Second Opinion?

If you’ve been told you aren’t a candidate for dental implants because of bone loss, the answer may simply be that you haven’t met the right surgeon yet. We welcome patients who have been told “no” — and we’re proud of how often we’ve been able to say “yes.”

📞 Call 305-661-5297 for a comprehensive zygomatic consultation 📅 Schedule online

📍 Visit our Miami office at:

7600 S. W. 57th Avenue, Suite 101
South Miami, FL 33143

Zygomatic Implants