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“I’m sorry, but you don’t have enough bone for dental implants.” If you’ve heard these devastating words from a dentist, you know the crushing disappointment that follows. Perhaps you’ve been living with uncomfortable dentures for years, dreaming of the stability and confidence that fixed teeth would provide. Or maybe you’re facing the loss of your remaining teeth and desperately want to avoid dentures altogether. Either way, being told implants aren’t possible feels like your last hope has been taken away.
But here’s what many patients—and indeed many dentists—don’t realise: severe bone loss doesn’t necessarily mean dental implants are impossible. Zygomatic implants represent an advanced solution for patients who’ve been told conventional implants won’t work, offering the possibility of fixed teeth even when your upper jawbone has deteriorated significantly.
At Kissdental, with clinics across Manchester, Liverpool, Cheshire, and Bury, Dr Kailesh Solanki is one of only a handful of clinicians in the North West offering Zygomatic implants. His extensive implant experience—having placed well over 1,000 dental implants throughout his career—combined with his mastery of advanced techniques like bone grafting and sinus lifts means he regularly treats patients other practices have turned away. In fact, dental practices throughout the North West refer their patients to Kissdental specifically for Dr Solanki’s implant expertise when cases exceed their capabilities.
Let’s explore what Zygomatic implants actually are, how they differ from conventional implants, who they’re suitable for, and whether they might be the solution you thought was impossible.
Before explaining Zygomatic implants, it’s essential to understand why severe bone loss occurs and why it creates such challenges for conventional dental implants.
When you lose teeth, something invisible but significant happens beneath your gums: your jawbone begins to deteriorate. This process, called resorption, occurs because your jawbone needs stimulation from tooth roots to maintain its density and volume.
Think of it like muscles that atrophy without use. Your jawbone is living tissue that responds to mechanical forces. When teeth and their roots are present, the pressure from chewing stimulates the bone, signalling your body to maintain its structure. Remove those teeth, and the stimulation disappears. Your body, operating with ruthless efficiency, decides this bone is no longer necessary and gradually reabsorbs it.
This process accelerates over time. In the first year after tooth loss, you might lose 25% of the bone width in that area. Over the next decade, this continues relentlessly. Long-term denture wearers often experience dramatic bone loss, creating the characteristic sunken facial appearance and loose-fitting dentures that require constant adjustment.
Standard dental implants are titanium posts typically 10-13mm long and 3.5-5 mm in diameter. They require adequate bone height, width, and density to achieve stable anchorage. When bone has resorbed significantly, there simply isn’t sufficient structure to support these implants.
The upper jaw (maxilla) is particularly vulnerable. Its bone is naturally less dense than the lower jaw, and it contains large air-filled spaces called maxillary sinuses. As teeth are lost and bone resorbs, the sinus cavities can expand, leaving very little bone between the sinus and the gum line—sometimes just a few millimetres.
Dr Solanki’s experience with bone grafting and sinus lifts means he can often create sufficient bone for conventional implants through these supplementary procedures. However, these approaches require 4-9 months of healing before implants can be placed, and in cases of severe bone loss, they may not be viable at all. This is where Zygomatic implants change everything.
Zygomatic implants represent a fundamentally different approach to anchoring replacement teeth when the upper jawbone is insufficient.
The zygomatic bone is the cheekbone—a dense, stable structure that extends from the side of your face towards your ear. Unlike the maxilla (upper jaw), which resorbs when teeth are lost, the zygomatic bone maintains its density and volume throughout life because it’s not dependent on tooth roots for stimulation.
This anatomical reality provides the solution: if there’s insufficient bone in the upper jaw, anchor implants into the dense, stable zygomatic bone instead.
Zygomatic implants are considerably longer than conventional implants—typically 30-50mm compared to 10-13mm. They’re inserted at a precise angle, passing through the limited remaining bone of the upper jaw and extending upward into the zygomatic bone, where they achieve solid anchorage.
The placement is highly technical, requiring:
Dr Solanki’s extensive implant training and his experience with complex cases make him one of the few North West practitioners qualified to perform this advanced procedure. His work is recognised by peers throughout the region, evidenced by the regular referrals he receives from other dental practices.
Most commonly, Zygomatic implants are used in combination with conventional implants:
In cases of extreme bone loss, four Zygomatic implants can be used without any conventional implants, though this is less common.
One of Zygomatic implants’ most significant benefits is the ability to provide teeth on the same day as surgery—a feature that transforms the patient experience.
Traditional implant treatment requires months of healing between implant placement and final restoration. This waiting period allows osseointegration—the process where bone grows around the implant, fusing it in place.
Zygomatic implants can support immediate temporary teeth because:
Steve Bradburn, Kissdental’s dental technician with over 20 years of experience focusing on implant dentistry, fabricates provisional restorations designed to function immediately whilst being light enough not to stress healing implants. His expertise in Same-Day Teeth and All-on-4 procedures—techniques he even teaches to other dentists and technicians—ensures your temporary teeth look natural and function well from the outset.
For patients facing tooth loss or struggling with failing dentures, the prospect of months without teeth is often more distressing than the surgery itself. Same-day teeth eliminate this anxiety entirely.
You arrive at Kissdental in the morning with failing teeth or uncomfortable dentures. You undergo surgery (typically under sedation, ensuring complete comfort). Later that same day, you leave with a full set of fixed teeth that allow you to eat, speak, and smile confidently throughout the healing period.
This immediate transformation is genuinely life-changing. Dr Solanki’s informal and patient-centred approach, combined with his Dental Phobia Certification and ability to provide sedation, means even anxious patients can undergo this comprehensive procedure comfortably.
Zygomatic implants aren’t suitable for everyone, and they’re not the first-line treatment even when bone loss exists. Understanding who genuinely benefits helps you determine if they’re worth investigating for your situation.
Patients who’ve been told they cannot have conventional implants due to insufficient upper jawbone, particularly if:
Consider a patient who’s worn complete upper dentures for 20 years. Extensive bone resorption means only 3-4 mm of bone remains beneath the sinus. Conventional implants require at least 10mm. Bone grafting would need to build up 6-7 mm of new bone—a complex, expensive procedure requiring 6-9 months of healing with uncertain success rates.
Zygomatic implants bypass this problem entirely, anchoring into the cheekbone, which hasn’t resorbed. The patient avoids lengthy grafting procedures, receives teeth the same day as implant placement, and achieves stable, long-lasting results. This is the scenario where Zygomatic implants truly shine.
Dr Solanki’s comprehensive consultation process includes advanced CT scanning that reveals your exact bone structure, allowing accurate assessment of whether Zygomatic implants are necessary, suitable, and likely to succeed in your specific case.
Understanding the treatment process helps demystify what might seem like an intimidating procedure.
Your journey begins with an extensive consultation, including:
This planning phase is crucial. Dr Solanki examines your CT scans carefully, assessing bone density, sinus anatomy, and optimal implant positioning. Every Zygomatic implant placement is unique, tailored precisely to your individual anatomy.
On your procedure day, you’ll arrive at Kissdental knowing exactly what to expect. The process typically unfolds as follows:
Given the procedure’s complexity and duration (typically 2-4 hours), most patients choose sedation. Dr Solanki’s qualification to provide both oral and intravenous sedation means you can undergo surgery in complete comfort, with many patients having no memory of the procedure afterwards.
Under sedation and local anaesthetic (so you feel no pain), Dr Solanki:
Later the same day, Steve Bradburn’s prefabricated provisional bridge is fitted. These temporary teeth are carefully designed to:
You leave Kissdental with a full set of teeth—a transformation that occurs in a single day.
Over the following 3-6 months, osseointegration occurs. Your implants fuse with the zygomatic bone, becoming permanently anchored. During this period:
Most patients find this healing period far easier than anticipated. Because you have functioning teeth throughout, life continues relatively normally apart from dietary modifications for the first few weeks.
Once Dr Solanki confirms your implants have fully integrated, Steve Bradburn creates your permanent restoration. This involves:
Your permanent restoration is designed to last 10-15 years or more with proper care, representing a genuine long-term solution to severe tooth loss.
Understanding recovery helps you plan appropriately and know what’s normal versus what might indicate problems.
The first few days after surgery involve:
Most patients describe discomfort as less severe than they anticipated. Dr Solanki’s surgical precision and experience minimise trauma, whilst prescribed medications manage any pain effectively.
Swelling and bruising gradually resolve over 1-2 weeks. You’ll attend follow-up appointments to ensure healing is progressing well. Your diet gradually expands to include more varied soft foods, though you’ll still avoid hard, crunchy, or chewy items that could stress your implants.
Many patients return to work within a week, though this varies based on the physical demands of your job and your individual healing.
This is the osseointegration period where your implants fuse with bone. From your perspective, little changes—you continue wearing your provisional restoration and gradually expand your diet. Follow-up appointments monitor progress, but most patients find this phase straightforward and uneventful.
Once your final restoration is fitted, life with Zygomatic implants is remarkably similar to having natural teeth. You’ll:
Zygomatic implants have been used since the late 1990s, giving us over two decades of evidence about their long-term success.
Multiple studies show Zygomatic implants achieve success rates of 95-98% over 10-15 years when placed by experienced surgeons like Dr Solanki. This is comparable to conventional implant success rates, which is remarkable given that Zygomatic implants are used specifically in challenging cases where conventional implants aren’t possible.
Long-term success depends on:
Implant failure, whilst uncommon, can occur. Early failures (within the first few months) typically result from integration problems. Late failures (years after placement) usually relate to infection or bone loss around the implant due to inadequate hygiene.
If an implant fails, Dr Solanki can often place a replacement implant. Because Zygomatic configurations typically use four to six implants in total, the loss of one implant doesn’t necessarily compromise the entire restoration, though it should be addressed promptly.
Zygomatic implants represent a significant financial investment, but understanding what you’re paying for helps evaluate the value proposition.
Several factors contribute to higher costs:
When evaluating cost, consider alternatives:
When viewed over 15-20 years, Zygomatic implants often represent excellent value despite higher initial costs. Kissdental offers Denplan Essentials payment plans to help spread costs over manageable monthly instalments.
The transformation Zygomatic implants create extends far beyond restored dental function.
Patients consistently report that eating becomes one of life’s pleasures again. After years of avoiding certain foods or struggling with loose dentures, being able to bite into an apple, enjoy a steak, or eat crusty bread without worry transforms mealtimes.
The psychological impact of fixed teeth cannot be overstated. Patients describe:
Because Zygomatic implants support facial structures, patients often look noticeably younger. The sunken appearance common with severe bone loss and ill-fitting dentures is replaced with proper facial support, taking years off one’s appearance.
If you’ve been told you cannot have dental implants due to bone loss, Zygomatic implants might offer the solution you thought was impossible. The only way to know for certain is through comprehensive assessment.
Dr Solanki’s consultation process provides clarity about whether you’re a candidate, what treatment would involve, realistic expectations for results, and transparent cost information. His extensive experience means he can assess your specific situation accurately rather than making generalised recommendations.
The consultation involves no treatment—just thorough examination, advanced imaging, and honest discussion about your options. Many patients find that simply understanding they do have options provides enormous relief after being told implants were impossible.
Whether you’re in Manchester city centre, Liverpool, Alderley Edge, Knutsford, or Bury, your nearest Kissdental clinic offers the advanced expertise needed for Zygomatic implant treatment. As one of only a handful of North West practices offering this solution, Kissdental regularly treats patients who’ve travelled considerable distances specifically for Dr Solanki’s expertise.
Don’t spend another year believing fixed teeth are beyond your reach. Contact Kissdental today on 0161 871 9426 to book your consultation. Let’s assess whether Zygomatic implants could provide the permanent, confident smile you’ve been told was impossible. Your journey from “you can’t have implants” to “I can’t believe I have fixed teeth” might be closer than you think.
Medical Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional dental advice. Every patient is different, and treatment outcomes vary. Please consult a qualified dental professional at Kissdental for advice specific to your situation. All treatments are carried out by GDC-registered dentists.
Reviewed by Dr Kailesh Solanki, Founder of Kissdental
Medical Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional dental advice. Every patient is different, and treatment outcomes vary. Please consult a qualified dental professional at Kissdental for advice specific to your situation. All treatments are carried out by GDC-registered dentists.
Reviewed by Dr Kailesh Solanki, Founder of Kissdental
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