Overview
About This Procedure
Remote anchorage implants — which include zygomatic implants, pterygoid implants, and other extra-maxillary techniques — are advanced solutions designed for patients who have been told they cannot receive traditional dental implants due to severe bone loss or deficiency in the upper jaw. Rather than anchoring into the alveolar ridge (the standard implant site), these specialized implants engage remote areas of the skull and facial skeleton that retain dense, reliable bone — such as the zygomatic bone (cheekbone) or the pterygoid plates behind the upper jaw.
These techniques were developed to give hope to patients with complex anatomical challenges — including those who have worn full dentures for many years, experienced significant bone atrophy, undergone prior failed implant surgeries, or have medical conditions that affect bone density. At NorthStar, Dr. Kampf has specialized training in these advanced techniques and has helped many patients achieve fixed, functional teeth when other practices had no solutions to offer.
The Process
What to Expect
This procedure requires extensive pre-surgical planning using cone beam CT imaging and 3D digital simulation to map the trajectory of each implant through the facial skeleton to its remote anchorage site. The surgery is typically performed under IV sedation or general anesthesia and requires a highly skilled surgical team with specific expertise in craniofacial anatomy.
Zygomatic implants, for example, pass through the upper jaw and anchor in the dense bone of the cheekbone, completely bypassing the deficient ridge. In many cases, a fixed provisional prosthesis can be attached on the same day as surgery — giving patients functional teeth immediately. Final restorations are typically placed after a healing period of several months.
Outcomes
Results & Long-Term Care
Remote anchorage implants have demonstrated excellent long-term success rates in patients with severe bone deficiency, offering a life-changing alternative to removable dentures or no treatment at all. Patients report dramatic improvements in chewing function, speech, confidence, and quality of life. As with all implant procedures, long-term success depends on maintaining excellent oral hygiene around the implant prosthesis and attending regular professional maintenance appointments.
Ready to Learn More?
Schedule a Consultation
If you have been told you are not a candidate for dental implants due to insufficient bone, please do not give up. Remote anchorage implant techniques may offer a path forward that other practices cannot provide. Contact NorthStar Implant Dentistry to schedule a specialized consultation and find out whether this innovative approach is right for you.