Told you can’t have implants? Why zygomatic implants might still be your answer at Kissdental

If a dentist has told you there isn’t enough bone in your upper jaw for implants, that may not be the final word. Kissdental in Flixton, Greater Manchester, is one of only a handful of UK clinics offering zygomatic implants, which anchor into the cheekbone instead of the jaw. As of August 2026, Dr Kailesh Solanki uses them to help patients turned away elsewhere.

So the question isn’t really “can I have implants?” It’s “are zygomatic implants right for me?” Let’s work through that honestly.

What zygomatic implants actually are

Standard dental implants screw into the jawbone. That works beautifully when there’s enough healthy bone to hold them. The trouble is the upper back jaw, where bone tends to shrink fastest after teeth are lost, and where the sinus sits close above. Lose enough bone there and an ordinary implant has nothing solid to grip.

A zygomatic implant solves that by being much longer and anchoring into the zygoma, the cheekbone. The cheekbone is dense and strong, and it doesn’t shrink the way the jaw does. So even a patient with severe upper jaw bone loss can have a fixed result, often without the long wait that bone grafting needs.

It’s a specialised technique, which is why so few clinics offer it.

Who tends to be told no, and why

Most people who end up asking about zygomatic implants have heard “you’re not a candidate” at least once. The usual reasons sound final but rarely are.

• Years of wearing an upper denture, which speeds up bone loss because nothing stimulates the jaw underneath
• Long-standing gum disease that destroyed bone before the teeth were removed
• A previous failed implant or graft
• A naturally thin upper jaw or low sinus position
• Being quoted for major bone grafting and sinus lifts, then deciding it’s too much

If any of that sounds like you, it’s worth knowing that “not enough jaw bone” and “no fixed teeth possible” are not the same sentence. They often get treated as if they are.

Are zygomatic implants right for you?

This is the real question, and the honest answer comes from a scan, not an article. Still, a few things point towards them being a good fit.

You’re more likely to be suited if you’ve lost most or all of your upper teeth, have significant bone loss confirmed on imaging, and want a fixed set of teeth rather than a denture you take out. People who’ve struggled for years with an upper plate that slips, clicks, or kills their sense of taste often feel the difference most.

They may not be the answer if you’ve only lost one or two teeth, or if your bone is actually adequate for standard implants once it’s properly assessed. Sometimes a second opinion finds there was more to work with than the first dentist thought. Either way, you leave knowing.

How the assessment works

Nothing is decided over the phone, and nothing is guessed. The starting point is a proper look at your bone in three dimensions.

Kissdental uses CT scanning to plan implant procedures, which shows the cheekbone, sinus, and remaining jaw bone in detail. Dr Solanki has placed more than 1,000 implants and trained in advanced techniques including bone grafting and sinus lifts, so he can compare routes fairly rather than pushing one. If a standard implant or a graft would serve you just as well, you’ll be told that.

From the scan and a conversation about your health and your goals, you get a clear plan: whether zygomatic implants suit you, what the day involves, and what the result would look like.

How it compares to the alternatives

It helps to see where zygomatic implants sit against the other ways of replacing a full upper arch.

The standout feature is that zygomatic implants can avoid the long graft-and-heal wait, because the cheekbone is already there and strong. For someone who’s spent years frustrated, that timing matters as much as the result.

What the day and recovery involve

Zygomatic implant placement is a bigger procedure than a single implant, and it’s treated with the care that deserves. It’s carried out under local anaesthetic, and because Kissdental is built around anxious patients, sedation is available, including oral, IV, and nitrous oxide, so a longer appointment can feel far calmer than you’d fear.

Afterwards, some swelling and tenderness is normal and usually settles with ordinary painkillers over a few days. You’ll get clear aftercare guidance and follow-up appointments. Many full-arch cases can be given a fixed set of teeth quickly, working alongside the practice’s same-day implant approach, so you’re not left without teeth while things heal.

Why experience counts for this one

Plenty of dentists place implants. Far fewer place zygomatic implants, because the technique demands specific training and precise planning around the sinus and cheekbone.

Dr Solanki’s 1,000-plus implants and his advanced surgical training are the kind of background this procedure asks for. Steve Bradburn, Kissdental’s in-house Clinical Dental Technician with over 20 years of experience, hand-finishes the teeth that go on top, so the look is planned as carefully as the surgery. The clinical side and the cosmetic side happen under one roof, by people who’ve done this many times.

FAQ

Can I really have implants if I’ve been told there’s no bone?
Often, yes. “Not enough jaw bone” usually refers to the upper jaw, but zygomatic implants anchor into the cheekbone instead, which stays strong even with severe jaw bone loss. A CT scan at Kissdental shows exactly what’s possible. Plenty of people told no elsewhere find there’s a workable, fixed plan after all.

Are zygomatic implants safe?
In trained, experienced hands, yes. They’re a well-established technique used specifically when standard implants aren’t possible. Dr Solanki has placed more than 1,000 implants and trained in advanced surgical methods. Your case is planned from a 3D CT scan, your medical history is taken in full first, and the whole procedure is explained before anything begins.

Do zygomatic implants hurt?
The placement itself is done under local anaesthetic, so you shouldn’t feel pain during it, and sedation is available if you’re nervous. Afterwards, some swelling and tenderness is normal for a few days and is usually managed with ordinary painkillers. Kissdental gives you clear aftercare and follow-up so any discomfort is kept to a minimum.

How much do zygomatic implants cost?
Full-arch implant work is a significant treatment, and UK prices reflect that, typically running from around £15,000 upwards depending on the case, materials, and number of implants. Zygomatic cases sit towards the upper end because of the planning and skill involved. Your exact figure comes after a scan and assessment, never over the phone.

Will I have to wait months with no teeth?
Often not. One advantage of zygomatic implants is that they avoid the long bone-graft healing wait, and many full-arch cases can be fitted with a fixed set of teeth quickly. The exact timing depends on your case, which Dr Solanki will explain clearly once he’s seen your scan and assessed your mouth.

What to do next

If you’ve been told implants aren’t an option, the most useful thing you can do is have that assessed properly with a scan, rather than take it as the end of the road. A consultation at Kissdental does exactly that, with no pressure to proceed.

Call Kissdental in Flixton on 0161 871 9426, or read more about zygomatic implants and the wider dental implants options, plus patient stories from people who’d lost hope of fixed teeth.