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Zygomatic implants

Implant surgery · Severe bone loss

Zygomatic implants in Istanbul, Turkey Fixed upper teeth on implants anchored in the cheekbone, when the upper jaw has too little bone.

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Zygomatic implants in Turkey and Istanbul: smiling man in his late sixties with white hair (illustrative image, not a patient) — Zygomatic Implants

Treatment at a glance

How zygomatic implants are placed, step by step

Zygomatic implants procedure, 3D illustration: long implants anchored in the cheekbones and an upper bridge

Illustration for explanation only. The number, position and angle of your implants are planned from your own 3D tomography.

In short

Zygomatic implants are long implants for the upper jaw. They are used when so much bone has been lost that ordinary implants cannot be anchored in the jawbone. The long implants are anchored in the cheekbone (the zygomatic bone) instead, which stays dense when the jaw has thinned. They are usually combined with ordinary implants at the front, where bone remains, and together they carry one fixed full-arch bridge.

For many people this is an alternative to extensive bone grafting or a sinus lift. It is also a more demanding operation than ordinary implant placement, so it is chosen only when your scan shows that simpler options would not hold. Implant treatment is usually planned in more than one visit, with a healing period at home in between. Your written plan states the days and visits you would need in Istanbul.

How it works — 4 steps

We look at your X-ray or photos.A free first assessment from home, before you book flights.
You are examined in Istanbul.A 3D tomography on your first day shows how much bone you have, and where.
The implants are placed.Long implants into the cheekbones, ordinary implants at the front where bone remains.
Your fixed bridge is fitted.The final bridge follows once the implants have healed into the bone.

Anchored in: The cheekboneUpper jaw only; usually with ordinary implants at the front
Your new teeth: Fixed bridgeScrewed onto the implants, not removable by you
Planning: 3D tomographyCBCT and a digital scan on your first day
Anaesthesia: Discussed firstYour dentist explains the options for your case
Visits to Istanbul: In your planDays and visits are stated before you book flights
Price: Written quoteAfter a dentist has seen your X-ray or photosA demanding operation: only when ordinary implants are not possible

1 Before you travel · From home

A first answer before you book anything

Send a few photos of your teeth, or a panoramic X-ray if you have one, on WhatsApp or through the form. A dentist reviews them, and our international team replies in your language.

What we ask you

Photos of your teeth or a panoramic X-ray
Your general health and any medication
What bothers you most about your teeth now
Which dates could work for you

What you receive

Your treatment options, explained
A price range
The days and visits you would need in Istanbul
A final plan only after your examination

2 In Istanbul · Arrival and examination

We meet you, examine you and confirm the plan

Airport and hotel. We coordinate your airport transfer and your stay with partner hotels near the clinics, including the Sheraton Grand Istanbul Esenyurt and Days Inn by Wyndham Istanbul Esenyurt.
Examination at the clinic. Day one starts with your examination, a 3D tomography (CBCT) and a digital scan of your mouth.
The plan, in person. Your dentist goes through the images with you and confirms the plan, or explains any change and why. Treatment then follows the written plan you approve.
In your language. Our international department works in English, Arabic, French and Turkish.

3 In Istanbul · Surgery day

Implants anchored where the bone is strong

Anaesthesia. Your dentist explains the anaesthesia options for your case beforehand, so you know what to expect on the day.
Teeth that cannot be saved are removed. Then a long implant on each side is guided from the back of the upper jaw into the cheekbone, along the path planned from your tomography. Where bone remains at the front, ordinary implants are placed there.
Temporary teeth. In some cases a fixed temporary bridge can be attached to the implants soon after surgery. Whether that is right for you depends on how firmly the implants sit in the bone. Your dentist tells you beforehand what to expect, and what the alternative is.
Before you fly. Your dentist checks your healing and your bite, and explains how to clean, what to eat and what to avoid while the implants heal.

4 At home · Healing

Healing at home

Over the following months the implants bond with the bone of the cheek and the jaw. Dentists call this osseointegration. Swelling in the cheeks settles first. You stay on softer food and add firmer food step by step, as your dentist advises.

Your coordinator stays in touch, and your dentist is one message away if you have a question or want to send a photo.

5 In Istanbul · Your final bridge

Your final bridge

Check and digital scan. Your dentist checks each implant and takes a new digital scan for the final bridge.
Try-in. You see the shape and shade in your mouth, and feel how the bridge sits against your palate, before it is finished.
Fitting. The final bridge is fixed in place, and your bite is checked carefully.
Cleaning routine. You are shown how to clean under the bridge and around the implants at home.

6 Aftercare · Back home

Looking after your new teeth

Daily cleaning and regular check-ups keep implants healthy. Routine check-ups can be done with a dentist near your home.

After you fly home, your coordinator stays in touch and your dentist is one message away for questions and follow-up.

Your treatment journey

Your zygomatic implant journey,
step by step.

From your first X-ray to fixed upper teeth, one international team coordinates every step.

Step 1 / 5 · From home

Get in touch

Send a recent panoramic X-ray on WhatsApp or through the form, and tell us if you have been told there is not enough bone for implants. A dentist reviews them, and our international team replies in your language.

X-ray on WhatsApp
Reviewed by a dentist
English · Arabic · French · Turkish

Step 2 / 5 · From home

Your written plan

You receive a written plan: whether zygomatic implants look necessary or ordinary implants may still be possible, a price range, and the days and visits you would need in Istanbul, so you can book flights with confidence. The final plan is confirmed after your examination.

Zygomatic or ordinary, explained
Days and visits stated
Confirmed after examination

Step 4 / 5 · At the clinic

Scan & surgery day

Day one starts with your examination, a 3D tomography and a digital scan. Your dentist confirms from the scan whether zygomatic implants are right for you and explains the anaesthesia options. Surgery follows the plan you approve.

CBCT & digital scan
Confirmed from your scan
Class-B sterilisation

Often a good fit if …

You have lost most of the bone in your upper jaw
You were told you need major bone grafting or a sinus lift before implants
Your upper denture no longer holds, because the ridge has shrunk
You want fixed upper teeth, not a removable plate
You can keep up daily cleaning and check-ups

Worth discussing first if …

Enough bone for ordinary implants → All-on-4 or All-on-6 is the smaller operation
Teeth missing in the lower jaw → zygomatic implants are for the upper jaw only; see the full-arch options
Sinus problems that are active or keep coming back → these need attention before a plan is made
Uncontrolled diabetes, active gum disease, heavy smoking or pregnancy → we talk about timing first

Not sure? Send us your X-ray or a few photos. A dentist will tell you whether zygomatic implants are worth considering, or whether a simpler option would do.

Get my free assessment

Feature	Zygomatic implants	All-on-4/6 + grafting	Removable denture
Held by	The cheekbone, plus the front of the jaw where bone remains	The jawbone, built up first where it is too thin	The gum and palate
Best suited to	Severe bone loss in the upper jaw	Bone loss that grafting can rebuild	When surgery is not wanted or not advisable
Teeth	Fixed full-arch bridge	Fixed full-arch bridge	A plate you take out to clean
Bone grafting	Usually avoided	Needed, with extra healing time	None
Surgery	More demanding than ordinary implants	Implants plus grafting, often in stages	None

All-on-4 All-on-6 All full-arch options

Back to everyday life

Soft, cool food	From the first day
Work and daily routine	When you feel ready; plan to rest for the first days
Exercise and heavy lifting	When your dentist says so
Firmer food	Step by step while the implants heal
Normal diet	After the final bridge is fitted

What you do

Take your medication as your dentist explains it
Do not blow your nose hard until your dentist says you can
Keep to soft food and clean around the bridge every day
Avoid smoking, which slows healing

Contact us if …

Swelling keeps getting worse instead of settling, you have a fever, your nose stays blocked or your cheek feels full and painful, bleeding does not stop with gentle pressure, numbness is not easing, or a temporary tooth feels loose or cracks.

What it does not do

Zygomatic implants work around the missing bone. They do not rebuild it. And like any implant, the gum around them can still become inflamed, which is why cleaning and check-ups matter for years.

Swelling and bruising of the cheek

Common, and usually more marked than after ordinary implants. It settles with rest, cold compresses and the medication your dentist prescribes.

Sinus problems

The long implants pass through or alongside the sinus above the upper jaw. The sinus can become inflamed, sometimes long after surgery, and may then need treatment.

Numbness of the cheek or upper lip

A nerve that gives feeling to the cheek and upper lip runs close to the cheekbone. Numbness or tingling there is usually temporary. In rare cases it lasts.

An implant that does not bond

Occasionally an implant does not bond with the bone. Smoking and uncontrolled diabetes raise this risk. A zygomatic implant is harder to replace than an ordinary one.

A bulkier bridge

The long implants often come through the gum a little towards the palate, so the bridge can be thicker on that side. It can take time to get used to when you speak, and it needs careful cleaning.

Delicate structures nearby

The cheekbone lies close to the eye socket. Serious injury is rare, but it is one reason this surgery is planned from a 3D tomography and is not the first choice when ordinary implants are possible.

What changes the price

How many zygomatic and ordinary implants your jaw needs, the implant system, the material of the final bridge, and any extractions or extra steps in your case.

What to ask for in writing

The implant system and bridge material, by name
What the price includes, such as anaesthesia and imaging
The days and visits planned in Istanbul

Travel and stay

We coordinate airport transfers and accommodation with partner hotels near the clinics. Ask your coordinator what your quote includes.

Only if your case needs it

Extra steps that your scan shows to be necessary are explained and written into your plan before treatment starts.

No price is final until a dentist has examined you. Your plan is confirmed after your examination, 3D tomography and digital scan in Istanbul.

Patient storiesDental implant patients, in their own words

Patients who travelled to Istanbul for dental implant treatment talk about their experience. Tap a card to watch.

Rob from the Netherlands: dental implants at İkon Dental in Istanbul, Turkey (patient video review)

Adrian from Canada: dental implants at İkon Dental in Istanbul, Turkey (patient video review)

Sakir from the Netherlands: implants and zirconia at İkon Dental in Istanbul, Turkey (patient video review)

See all patient stories

Before & afterBefore and after cases from our clinics

Real cases treated at İkon. Each card names the treatment that patient had; tap a card to see more photos.

Upper-jaw smile design before and after in Istanbul, Turkey: photos of a patient from the Netherlands at İkon Dental — NetherlandsUpper-jaw smile design

Upper-jaw smile design before (top) and after (bottom), close-up: a patient from the Netherlands treated at İkon Dental, Istanbul — NetherlandsUpper-jaw smile design

Smile design before and after in Istanbul, Turkey: photos of a patient from the Netherlands at İkon Dental — NetherlandsSmile design

Smile design in Istanbul, Turkey: a patient from the Netherlands after treatment at İkon Dental — NetherlandsSmile design

Smile design with zirconia crowns before and after in Istanbul, Turkey: photos of a patient from the Netherlands at İkon Dental — NetherlandsSmile design with zirconia crowns

Smile design with zirconia crowns in Istanbul, Turkey: a patient from the Netherlands after treatment at İkon Dental — NetherlandsSmile design with zirconia crowns

Smile makeover before and after in Istanbul, Turkey: photos of a patient from Germany at İkon Dental — GermanySmile makeover

Smile makeover before (top) and after (bottom), close-up: a patient from Germany treated at İkon Dental, Istanbul — GermanySmile makeover

Treatment for missing teeth before and after in Istanbul, Turkey: photos of a patient from the Czech Republic at İkon Dental — Czech RepublicTreatment for missing teeth

Treatment for missing teeth before (top) and after (bottom), close-up: a patient from the Czech Republic treated at İkon Dental, Istanbul — Czech RepublicTreatment for missing teeth

Laminate veneers before and after in Istanbul, Turkey: photos of a patient at İkon Dental — **Laminate veneers**

Laminate veneers before (top) and after (bottom), close-up: a patient treated at İkon Dental, Istanbul — **Laminate veneers**

Laminate veneers before and after in Istanbul, Turkey: the smile of a patient at İkon Dental — **Laminate veneers**

Zirconia crowns before and after in Istanbul, Turkey: photos of a patient at İkon Dental — **Zirconia crowns**

Zirconia crowns before (top) and after (bottom), close-up: a patient treated at İkon Dental, Istanbul — **Zirconia crowns**

Zirconia crowns before and after in Istanbul, Turkey: the smile of a patient at İkon Dental — **Zirconia crowns**

Zirconia crowns, upper jaw before and after in Istanbul, Turkey: photos of a patient at İkon Dental — **Zirconia crowns, upper jaw**

Zirconia crowns, upper jaw before (top) and after (bottom), close-up: a patient treated at İkon Dental, Istanbul — **Zirconia crowns, upper jaw**

Smile design before and after in Istanbul, Turkey: photos of a patient at İkon Dental — **Smile design**

Smile design before (top) and after (bottom), close-up: a patient treated at İkon Dental, Istanbul — **Smile design**

Smile makeover before and after in Istanbul, Turkey: photos of a patient at İkon Dental — **Smile makeover**

Smile makeover before (top) and after (bottom), close-up: a patient treated at İkon Dental, Istanbul — **Smile makeover**

Results differ from person to person. What is possible for you depends on your own teeth, gums and bone, which your dentist assesses at the examination.

See all before and after cases

Questions about zygomatic implants

The questions we hear most often. If yours is not here, ask us on WhatsApp.

What are zygomatic implants?

They are long implants for the upper jaw that are anchored in the cheekbone, which dentists call the zygomatic bone, not in the jawbone. They are used when the upper jaw has lost too much bone to hold ordinary implants. Together with ordinary implants at the front, where bone remains, they carry a fixed full-arch bridge.

Do I need zygomatic implants, or would ordinary implants work?

Only a 3D tomography can answer that. If there is enough bone, All-on-4 or All-on-6 is the smaller operation and usually the better choice. Zygomatic implants are considered when the bone at the back of the upper jaw is too thin, and rebuilding it would mean extensive grafting.

Does zygomatic implant surgery hurt?

You should not feel pain during the operation. Your dentist explains the anaesthesia options for your case beforehand. Soreness and swelling of the cheeks are normal in the first days afterwards, and your dentist prescribes medication for that.

Will I go home without teeth?

Your dentist plans this with you before surgery. In some cases a fixed temporary bridge can be attached to the implants soon after they are placed. If your implants need more time, your dentist explains the temporary option for your case. Ask us which applies to you before you decide.

How much do zygomatic implants cost in Istanbul, Turkey?

We do not publish fixed prices, because the cost depends on your jaw, the number and type of implants and the bridge material. Send us an X-ray or photos and you receive a price range with your written plan, free and with no obligation. No price is final until a dentist has examined you.

How long do I need to stay in Istanbul?

It depends on your case. Implant treatment is usually planned in more than one visit, with a healing period at home in between. Your written plan states the days and visits you would need, before you book flights.

How long do zygomatic implants last?

Like ordinary implants, they can last many years when they are cleaned well and checked regularly. Smoking, gum health and teeth grinding all affect how long they last. The bridge on top may need maintenance over time.

Is İkon Dental authorised to treat patients from abroad?

Yes. İkon holds the International Health Tourism Authorisation Certificate of the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Health, for its Başakşehir and Hadımköy clinics. You can see the certificate on our international patients section.

What do I need to send for a first assessment?

A recent panoramic X-ray is ideal. If you do not have one, clear photos of your teeth or your denture and a short note about your dental history and general health are enough to start. Tell us if you have had bone grafting, a sinus lift or implants in the upper jaw before.

This page is general information and does not replace an examination by a dentist.

Why İkonWhy patients choose our clinics

Treatment abroad is a big decision, so here is what you are choosing: three clinics in Istanbul, one standard of care, and an international team that stays in touch from your first message to your follow-up at home.

Reception at İkon Dental Bahçeşehir, a dental clinic in Istanbul, Turkey

Another treatment room at İkon Dental Kıraç, a dental clinic in Istanbul, Turkey

Dental X-ray and 3D imaging room at İkon Dental Kıraç, a dental clinic in Istanbul, Turkey

Sterilisation room at İkon Dental Bahçeşehir, a dental clinic in Istanbul, Turkey

2008Founded in Hadımköy

Built on one rule

İkon began as a two-chair practice. It grew into three clinics by offering only what is useful to the patient. Nothing is sold because it is profitable.

3Clinics in Istanbul

One team, one standard

All our dentists provide general dental treatment, and each brings fields of special interest from their training. Cases that need more than one field are planned together by the team.

MoHAuthorised

Approved for international patients

International Health Tourism Authorisation Certificate from the Turkish Ministry of Health, for the Başakşehir and Hadımköy clinics.

4Languages spoken

Understood from the first message

Our international department works in English, Arabic, French and Turkish, from your first photo on WhatsApp to the follow-up after you fly home.

Why İkon?Our clinics Our doctors International patients

Other treatmentsWhich option suits your jaw?

Zygomatic implants answer one specific problem. If your scan shows enough bone, a simpler treatment may fit.

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Single & Multiple Dental ImplantsPermanent Replacement for One or More Teeth

Your journey starts here

Your next chapter
begins with a conversation.

Tell us what you would like to change. We reply with options, the days you would need in Istanbul and a price range. Free, and with no obligation.

Bahçeşehir

2. Kısım, Mercedes Bulvarı No:28-A D:78, 34488 Başakşehir

+90 546 690 88 10 View on map

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Your details are used only to answer this request. No price is final until a dentist has examined you.