Zygomatic implants · Short implants
When very little bone remains in the upper jaw, some patients are offered zygomatic implants anchored in the cheekbone. Our approach is different: we do not recommend zygomatic implants; we plan these cases with short implants and minimally invasive surgery. Below, the two routes are compared step by step on the same jaw.
Route 1
A long implant reaching the cheekbone
Route 2 · Our approach
The existing bone, without touching the cheekbone
Schematic, not to scale. Which route is feasible is decided after examination and CBCT.
| Zygomatic implant | Short implant + minimally invasive surgery | |
|---|---|---|
| Anchoring bone | Cheekbone (zygoma) | The existing jawbone |
| Approach to the sinus | The implant passes along or through the sinus | The sinus floor is raised a few mm through the implant site (internal sinus lift) |
| Extent of surgery | Advanced surgery; per current consensus, by experienced teams and as a last resort (Pala 2026) | A more limited surgical field; in suitable cases no window in the sinus wall (Pjetursson 2014) |
| Main reported risk | Sinusitis: 14.2% at 5 years (Brennand Roper 2023) | Sinus membrane perforation: 5.4% (Shi 2023) |
| Literature | 96.2% implant survival at 6 years (Brennand Roper 2023) | 6 mm implants in 5–7 mm of bone: 5-year survival similar to sinus lift (Thoma 2018; Ravidà 2024) |
No published study compares short implants directly with zygomatic implants; each row summarises the literature of its own method.
For patients who have been offered zygomatic implants, we plan treatment with short implants and minimally invasive surgery. The existing bone is first measured on a 3D scan; where needed, the sinus floor is raised through the implant site and short implants that fit the bone are used.
The aim is to reach fixed teeth by making the most of the existing anatomy, without advanced surgery reaching the cheekbone. Which route is feasible for each patient is decided after examination and CBCT.
In many cases, when the remaining bone is measured again on a 3D scan, less invasive routes such as short implants and an internal sinus lift can be discussed. You can ask for a pre-assessment with your panoramic X-ray or CBCT; the final plan is made after an examination.
International consensus reports describe sinusitis as the most common complication (Al-Nawas 2023); a meta-analysis of long-term data reports a sinusitis rate of 14.2% at 5 years (Brennand Roper 2023).
In a randomised trial in patients with 5–7 mm of remaining bone, 5-year survival was 98.5% for 6 mm implants and 100% for longer implants with a sinus lift (Thoma 2018). Results depend on case selection and prosthetic design.
You can send your panoramic X-ray or CBCT via WhatsApp. A pre-assessment does not replace a clinical examination; consultations are possible in English, Turkish or Persian.
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