For patients in Lakewood and Tacoma, the final step of a dental implant—the part that actually looks and functions like a tooth—has been revolutionized by CAD/CAM Technology (Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing). At the office of Dr. Kevin Kim, DDS, we don’t rely on generic, mass-produced parts. Instead, we use digital engineering to design and mill custom restorations that fit your unique anatomy with sub-millimeter precision. This ensures that your new tooth doesn’t just look natural; it feels right, lasts longer, and promotes healthier gums.

The CAD/CAM Advantage: Custom vs. Stock

Traditional implant restorations often use “stock” abutments (the connector between the implant and the crown) that come in standard sizes. As a specialized Dental Implant Periodontist, Dr. Kim knows that “one size fits all” rarely works in the mouth. By using CAD/CAM technology, we create Custom Abutments and Custom Crowns that offer several critical benefits:

• Perfect Emergence Profile: We design the restoration to “emerge” from your gums exactly like a natural tooth, supporting the soft tissue and preventing food from getting trapped.
• Superior Strength: Restorations are milled from solid blocks of high-performance materials like Zirconia or Lithium Disilicate, which are far more durable and fracture-resistant than traditional layered porcelain.
• Precision Fit: Because the design is based on a high-resolution Intraoral Scan, the margin (the seal between the crown and the gum) is incredibly accurate, reducing the risk of bacterial buildup and infection.
• Optimized Bite (Occlusion): The software allows Dr. Kim to analyze your bite in 3D, ensuring your new tooth hits perfectly against your opposing teeth to prevent mechanical stress.

The Digital Workflow at Dental Health Associates

The process of getting your final restoration is faster and more comfortable than ever:

1. Digital Scan: We use an intraoral scanner to capture a 3D digital “impression” of your healed implant—no messy putty required.
2. Virtual Design (CAD): Dr. Kim or our specialized lab technicians design your abutment and crown using advanced software, tailoring every curve to match your adjacent teeth.
3. Precision Milling (CAM): The digital blueprint is sent to a high-speed milling machine that carves your restoration from a solid block of dental ceramic.
4. Final Placement: Because of the digital accuracy, the final crown often requires little to no adjustment, fitting perfectly on the very first try.

A Healthier Foundation for Your Smile

Beyond aesthetics, CAD/CAM restorations are vital for the health of your implant. Custom-designed components help maintain the proper pressure on the surrounding bone and gum tissue, which is the key to preventing Peri-implantitis (implant-related gum disease). For our neighbors in University Place, Steilacoom, and JBLM, this means an investment that is built to last a lifetime.

Dr. Kevin Kim’s 20+ years of experience in implant dentistry, combined with this state-of-the-art technology, provides a “gold standard” level of care. To learn more about the science of digital prosthodontics, you can explore resources from the American Academy of Periodontology or the Academy of Osseointegration. At our Lakewood office, we are committed to using the world’s best technology to restore your confidence and your health.