What are zygomatic all-on-6 implants?
Zygomatic all-on-6 implants support a full upper set of fixed teeth on six implants, with the furthest-back implants anchored in the zygoma, the cheekbone, rather than in the thin jawbone above the teeth. In the most common layout two long zygomatic implants (one each side) are combined with four conventional implants across the front and middle of the jaw; some surgeons use four zygomatic implants, called quad zygoma, when almost no jaw bone remains. All six are joined by one bridge that is screwed in and cannot be taken out by the patient.
The treatment is meant for people whose upper jaw has lost so much bone that ordinary implants will not hold. This guide covers how the design works, how it differs from the four-implant version, what the evidence says, the approximate cost in Turkey against the UK, US and Germany, recovery and risks. For the wider range of options see our dental treatments in Turkey hub.
How do zygomatic all-on-6 implants hold a whole arch of teeth?
A zygomatic implant is much longer than a standard one, commonly around 30 to 50 mm, because it runs from the back of the upper jaw up into the cheekbone. Its tip is held in dense bone that does not melt away after tooth loss. The conventional implants in the front of the jaw, where some bone usually remains, add support near the lips. The bridge then joins the six fixtures so that chewing forces are shared between them.
Some surgeons run the zygomatic implant through the sinus, others along its outer wall (the extra-sinus route) to reduce sinus irritation; the route depends on the shape of your bone, which is read on the CT scan. The long implants are placed at an angle, so accurate planning, and often a surgical guide, are part of the work.
Are six implants safer than four? Zygomatic all-on-6 compared with all-on-4
More implants spread the load across more points and give a safety margin: if one implant fails, the bridge may still be supported by the others. Surgeons often prefer six when the bridge is long, the patient has a strong bite or grinds the teeth, or when the front bone is wide enough to take extra implants. The price is extra surgery and a higher cost. Our guide to zygomatic all-on-4 implants covers the leaner version.
| Option | Best suited to | Typical limits |
|---|---|---|
| Zygomatic all-on-6 | Severe bone loss, strong bite, long bridge | Higher cost; more surgery; needs wide enough front bone |
| Zygomatic all-on-4 | Severe back bone loss with adequate front bone | Fewer fixtures to share load; failure of one matters more |
| Conventional all-on-6 with sinus lift | Moderate bone loss where grafting is acceptable | Waiting time for grafts; graft may not integrate |
Neither number is automatically the right one. The right plan comes from the scan, your bite and the surgeon's experience, and a clinic should explain its reasoning rather than simply sell the larger option.
Do zygomatic all-on-6 implants work? What the evidence shows
Zygomatic implants have been used for over twenty years, and published reviews report survival rates of roughly 95 percent or more over several years in selected patients. Most evidence covers zygomatic implants in general, not specifically the six-implant layout, and most studies come from specialist teams, so results in routine practice may differ. Long-term data beyond ten years is thinner than for standard implants. Sinusitis is the complication that appears most often in the studies.
What can be said with reasonable confidence: the approach can give a fixed upper bridge without large bone grafts. What is not proven: that six implants always outlast four. Ask the surgeon for their own results with this specific layout.
Zygomatic all-on-6 implants cost in Turkey compared with the UK, US and Germany
These approximate ranges are for one upper arch and are not hospital quotes. The price is above that of the four-implant plan because of the additional fixtures, longer surgery and more complex prosthetic work.
| Country | Approximate cost range (one arch) |
|---|---|
| Turkey | €7,500 – €16,000 |
| United Kingdom | €16,000 – €34,000 |
| United States | €20,000 – €42,000 |
| Germany | €14,000 – €30,000 |
The price moves with the implant brand, the number of zygomatic implants (two or four), the bridge material, the anaesthesia, any extraction or bone work, and whether both a temporary and a final bridge are included. A fair quote lists the CT scan, surgery, all six implants, both bridges, accommodation and transfers. Compare like with like, and ask what happens to the cost if an implant has to be replaced.
Who is a good candidate for zygomatic all-on-6 implants?
People who have lost most or all upper teeth, have severe bone loss, and want fixed teeth without long grafting treatment are the usual candidates. The treatment is also used after failed earlier implants or after surgery to remove part of the upper jaw. You are less suited if you have an active sinus infection, uncontrolled diabetes, a history of radiotherapy to the face and jaw without specialist planning, heavy smoking you cannot stop, untreated gum disease or bone-strengthening medicines such as bisphosphonates. If bone loss is moderate, all-on-6 dental implants with a sinus lift may be enough, and a good surgeon will tell you so.
Step by step: what happens during the procedure?
- Consultation and CT scan of jaws and sinuses; a plan with implant positions.
- Surgery under general anaesthesia or deep sedation, usually three to five hours for one arch.
- Removal of any remaining teeth, then placement of the zygomatic implants first, followed by the four conventional implants.
- A temporary fixed bridge fitted, often within one to three days, if the implants are stable.
- Three to six months of healing, then a final bridge, normally made from zirconia or acrylic on a titanium frame.
The long implants and the angle at which they sit explain why this is a specialist operation. Ask whether the surgery uses a guide or navigation, and how the plan is checked before you travel.
Recovery after zygomatic all-on-6 implants: what to expect
The first week brings swelling and bruising of the cheeks, tenderness, a little blood in saliva or from the nose, and a soft or liquid diet. Most people are fit to fly after about five to seven days, once the surgeon has checked the wounds and the temporary teeth. Avoid blowing your nose hard, sneezing with a closed mouth and chewing hard food for the period the surgeon advises, because pressure changes can irritate the sinus.
- Week 1: swelling peaks, antibiotics and rinses, stitches checked.
- Weeks 2-6: swelling resolves, soft diet continues, gentle cleaning of the bridge.
- Months 3-6: bone fuses, final bridge made and fitted.
- After that: daily cleaning and check-ups, usually every six months.
What can go wrong, and how common is it?
General risks are infection, bleeding, prolonged swelling and implant failure. Zygomatic implants add sinusitis, an opening between the sinus and mouth, soft-tissue irritation of the cheek where the implant exits, numbness from nerve irritation and, rarely, injury to the eye socket. The bridge can also chip or loosen over the years. Published rates vary between centres, so ask your surgeon for their own figures. Seek help promptly for fever, increasing pain, persistent nasal discharge or a loose bridge. Anyone with ongoing sinus disease should have it treated first.
Zygomatic implants before and after: what do results look like?
Photos usually show a fixed upper smile where a denture or failing teeth were before, with the bridge shaped to support the upper lip. They do not show what matters over time: how easy the bridge is to clean, whether the gum around the implants stays healthy, and whether the bridge needs repair. Treat any gallery that shows only the most flattering cases with caution and ask for patients with a similar degree of bone loss. For the technique in general see our guide to the zygomatic implant.
How to choose a surgeon and hospital, and what to ask
Choose an oral and maxillofacial surgeon or a specialist implant surgeon who regularly performs zygomatic cases, working in a licensed hospital with an anaesthetist and the means to manage complications. Red flags include a fixed price without a scan, promises of guaranteed or risk-free results, no named surgeon, vague package contents and pressure to pay a deposit quickly. Read how our process works, then send your scan through our free quote page to receive a written plan and price.
- How many zygomatic cases has the named surgeon completed with six implants?
- How many of the six implants are zygomatic?
- Which implant brand and bridge material are quoted, and what is the warranty?
- Is the hospital stay and general anaesthesia included?
- How many nights do I stay, and when is the second visit for the final bridge?
- Who treats me if a problem arises after I return home?
Hospitals with Dental Treatments in Turkey
Frequently asked questions
A full upper-arch treatment in which six implants carry one fixed bridge, with the back implants (two or four) anchored in the cheekbone instead of the thin jawbone. It is used when there is too little bone for standard implants.
Reviews of zygomatic implants report survival of around 95 percent or higher in selected patients over several years. Evidence for the six-implant layout specifically is more limited, and results depend on the surgeon's experience.
Approximate ranges are €7,500 to €16,000 per arch in Turkey, against roughly €16,000 to €34,000 in the UK. The price depends on the implants, bridge material and anaesthesia, and each hospital confirms it in a written quote.
All-on-6 adds two more implants to share the chewing load and give a safety margin if one fails. It costs more and needs enough front bone, so the choice depends on your scan and bite.
A fixed upper smile replaces a denture or failing teeth, shaped to support the lip. Photos cannot show the cleaning routine or long-term maintenance, so ask to see patients with a similar degree of bone loss.
Swelling and bruising peak in the first week and a soft diet continues for several weeks. Most people fly home after five to seven days, and the bone fuses over three to six months before the final bridge.
It is done under general anaesthesia or deep sedation. Soreness and swelling afterwards are usually controlled with prescribed painkillers and ease over the first one to two weeks.
The implants are designed to last many years with good hygiene and regular check-ups, but no clinic can guarantee a fixed lifespan. The bridge may need repair or replacement sooner than the implants.
They are an established technique, but sinusitis, infection and, rarely, injury to nearby structures can occur. Risk depends greatly on planning with a CT scan and the surgeon's experience.
Plan about five to seven nights for surgery and first checks, then a second stay of several days a few months later for the final bridge. Confirm the schedule in the written quote.