What are zygomatic all-on-2 implants?
Zygomatic all-on-2 implants are a way of fixing a full arch of upper teeth when there is too little bone in the upper jaw for standard implants. Instead of anchoring in the thin, shrunken jaw bone, a long implant, typically 30 to 57 millimetres, is passed from the upper jaw into the zygomatic bone, the dense bone of the cheek. One zygomatic implant on each side, two in all, carries a fixed bridge, often with additional shorter implants at the front. The name is a clinic term rather than a single standard technique, so the exact number and position of implants should be confirmed in your written plan. Hospitals in Turkey that offer zygomatic implants are usually those with maxillofacial surgeons and a CT scanner.
This guide explains why upper-jaw bone is lost, how the zygomatic implants work, what the evidence says, how the method compares with bone grafting and standard all-on-4 or all-on-6, what it costs against the UK, US and Germany and what to ask a surgeon. For other options see dental treatments in Turkey.
Why does the upper jaw lose bone, and why can this rule out standard implants?
When teeth are lost, the bone that held them slowly shrinks, because it is no longer stimulated by chewing. In the upper jaw this is made worse by the maxillary sinus, an air space above the back teeth that expands downwards as bone is lost. Long-term denture wearing, gum disease, injury or surgery can all speed this up. The result is a jaw with little height and width at the back, where standard implants have nothing to hold them. Dentists are then often told that implants are not possible without large bone grafts, which add months of healing, a second surgical site and cost.
Zygomatic implants were developed for exactly this situation. They bypass the weak ridge and use the cheekbone, which is dense and rarely resorbs. They are not first-choice treatment for patients who have enough bone for conventional implants.
How do zygomatic implants work?
The long implant enters the upper jaw near the first molar, passes beside or through the sinus wall and engages the cheekbone, giving two or three points of bone contact along its length. A fixed bridge is then attached to the implants. Because the implants are splinted together and anchored in strong bone, they can often be loaded the same day with a temporary bridge, as with other immediate-load methods. Two main approaches are used. In the classic one the implant passes through the sinus; in the extra-sinus approach it runs along the outer sinus wall. The surgeon chooses according to the shape of your jaw, and the choice affects the risk of sinus problems, which is covered below. Our general guide to all-on-6 dental implants describes the standard approach that zygomatic implants replace or supplement.
Do zygomatic implants work? What does the evidence say?
Zygomatic implants have been used since the late 1990s, and systematic reviews report high implant survival, generally above 90 per cent over five or more years, in patients with severely resorbed upper jaws. That makes them a recognised option for this specific group; evidence for use in patients who could have conventional implants is limited. Studies are mostly case series, with fewer randomised comparisons than for standard implants, and results depend strongly on the surgeon's experience and the technique. The main complication in the literature is sinusitis, which affects a minority of patients. A reliable clinic will explain that the procedure is technically demanding and will not present it as a shortcut for every patient.
Zygomatic implants, grafting or standard all-on-4: how do they compare?
The alternatives for a severely resorbed upper jaw are to rebuild bone first, to place standard implants with tilted posterior fixtures, or to use zygomatic implants. Grafting adds months, so implants are placed after the bone has healed; see our guides to sinus lifting and dental bone regeneration. The tilted all-on-4 approach uses the front bone and is described in all-on-4 implants.
| Approach | Best suited to | Typical limits |
|---|---|---|
| Zygomatic implants | Severe upper-jaw bone loss; patients wanting to avoid grafting | Complex surgery; sinus and eye-socket risks; surgeon-dependent |
| Bone graft or sinus lift, then standard implants | Moderate loss; patients without time pressure | Longer treatment; graft may fail or resorb |
| All-on-4 or all-on-6 (standard) | Enough front bone; no major resorption | Not possible with very thin bone |
Fitting a fixed bridge onto only two implants per arch, a different concept also known as a hybrid arch, is covered by hybrid all-on-2 implant dentures; do not confuse it with zygomatic treatment.
Who is a good candidate, and who is not?
Candidates are usually adults with very little bone in the back of the upper jaw, often after years of denture wear or gum disease, who want a fixed bridge and do not wish to undergo bone grafting or have been told grafting is unsuitable. A cone-beam CT scan is essential to assess the sinus, the cheekbone and the available front bone. Zygomatic implants are less suited to patients with active sinus infection or chronic sinusitis, those who smoke heavily, people with uncontrolled diabetes or immune conditions, patients who have had radiotherapy to the face, and anyone who cannot cope with general anaesthesia. Lower-jaw treatment does not use zygomatic implants.
How much do zygomatic all-on-2 implants cost in Turkey compared with the UK, US and Germany?
The figures below are approximate ranges for one upper arch, including implants and a fixed bridge, not clinic quotes. Zygomatic work costs more than standard all-on-4 because the implants are long and the surgery is more advanced.
| Country | Approximate cost range (upper arch) |
|---|---|
| Turkey | €4,500 – €10,000 |
| United Kingdom | €12,000 – €25,000 |
| United States | €18,000 – €38,000 |
| Germany | €11,000 – €23,000 |
What changes the price: the number of zygomatic and conventional implants, the type of final bridge (acrylic or zirconia), whether general anaesthesia and a hospital stay are included, any tooth extractions and the CT scan. A package normally includes the scan, surgery, anaesthesia, the temporary bridge, the final bridge and some follow-up. Ask exactly how many implants are quoted, because a price for two implants and a price for four are not comparable.
The procedure step by step
You have a consultation, a CT scan and a plan, and any hopeless teeth are removed. Surgery is carried out under general anaesthesia or deep sedation, in a hospital with an operating theatre. The surgeon raises the gum, prepares the path through the upper jaw to the cheekbone and inserts the zygomatic implants, then adds any conventional front implants. Abutments are connected and a temporary bridge is fitted on the same day or within about two days. Surgery usually takes two to four hours. You then heal for three to six months, after which the final bridge is made, checked in the mouth and fitted.
Recovery and trip length: what to expect
Swelling of the cheeks, bruising and some bleeding from the nose or mouth are common for the first week, and a blocked feeling in the sinus area is typical. You will be given antibiotics, painkillers and a decongestant or rinse. Soft food is advised for the first weeks, and nose-blowing and sneezing with the mouth closed are avoided so that pressure does not build in the sinus. Most people stay six to ten days in Turkey for the first visit, and return after three to six months for the final bridge, taking about four to seven days. Many people return to desk work in one to two weeks. Regular reviews and cleaning protect the implants.
What are the risks of zygomatic implants?
Zygomatic surgery carries the usual implant risks of swelling, infection and implant failure, plus those specific to the cheekbone region. The best documented is sinusitis, which may need antibiotics or further treatment. Others include an opening between the mouth and the sinus (oroantral fistula), numbness or altered sensation of the cheek, soft-tissue problems at the implant head, and, rarely, damage near the eye socket. Because the implants are long and splinted, a failure may involve revision surgery. Professional bodies such as the American Academy of Implant Dentistry and maxillofacial societies advise this method for carefully selected cases and for surgeons trained in it. Ask how many zygomatic cases the surgeon has done and how complications are handled.
How do I choose a surgeon, and what are the red flags?
Choose a hospital where the zygomatic surgery is performed by a maxillofacial or oral surgeon with documented training in the technique, supported by an anaesthetist and a CT scanner. Look for a written plan that states the number, length and position of implants, the bridge material and the follow-up schedule. Red flags include quotes with no CT scan, promises of perfect results, no mention of sinus risks, lack of a named surgeon, and pressure to decide within days. Read how our process works and use the free quote page; the hospital reviews your information and sends a written plan and price.
Questions to ask the clinic:
- How many zygomatic cases has the surgeon performed, and are results available?
- Do I need grafting, or is zygomatic treatment truly the better route for my bone?
- How many implants will I receive, and where will they sit?
- Will I have a temporary bridge, and when is the final bridge fitted?
- What happens if I develop sinusitis or an implant fails after I fly home?
Hospitals with Dental Treatments in Turkey
Frequently asked questions
They are long implants anchored in the cheekbone, one on each side, that carry a fixed upper bridge when the jaw bone is too thin for standard implants. The term is a clinic label, so confirm the exact implant numbers in your plan.
Approximate costs are €4,500 to €10,000 for an upper arch in Turkey, against about €12,000 to €25,000 in the UK. The price depends on the number of implants, the bridge material and anaesthesia; the hospital confirms it in writing.
Studies of patients with severely resorbed upper jaws report high implant survival over five years or more. The evidence is mainly case series, and results depend heavily on the surgeon's experience and the technique used.
Mostly people with very little bone in the back of the upper jaw who want to avoid or cannot have bone grafting. Patients with enough bone are usually better served by standard implants, so a CT scan is essential.
It is performed under general anaesthesia or deep sedation. Afterwards expect cheek swelling, bruising and soreness for about a week, controlled with prescribed painkillers, and a blocked feeling in the sinus area.
Swelling and bruising ease over one to two weeks, and many people return to desk work then. The implants fuse with bone over three to six months before the final bridge is fitted.
Risks include sinusitis, an opening between the mouth and sinus, cheek numbness, infection, implant failure and, rarely, injury near the eye socket. Choosing an experienced maxillofacial surgeon reduces these.
Often a temporary fixed bridge is fitted on the day of surgery or within about two days, because the implants are anchored in dense bone. The final bridge follows after the healing period.
Grafting rebuilds bone and takes months before implants can be placed, while zygomatic implants avoid grafting but need a highly skilled surgeon. The best choice depends on your bone, health and time frame.
Six to ten days is usual for the surgery and early checks, with a second trip of about four to seven days three to six months later for the final bridge.