Dental Implant Replacement in Lakewood, WA

It can be incredibly frustrating to realize that a dental implant, an investment you made in your health and confidence, needs to be replaced. Whether your original implant failed due to an infection like Peri-implantitis, a mechanical issue, or simply wasn’t placed with the precision required for long-term success, you aren’t alone. Many patients in Lakewood and Tacoma come to the office of Dr. Kevin Kim, DDS seeking a “second opinion” or a “do-over.” As a specialized Dental Implant Periodontist, Dr. Kim excels at Dental Implant Replacement, a complex process that involves removing the old implant, regenerating the lost foundation, and placing a new, more stable one.

The first step in replacement is understanding why the first one didn’t last. Dr. Kim uses CBCT 3D Imaging to look beneath the surface, checking for bone loss, hidden infections, or improper angulation. Unlike a standard extraction, replacing an implant often requires a “reset” of the site. If the bone has thinned out around the old post, Dr. Kim will perform a Bone Graft or Ridge Augmentation after the failed implant is removed. This step is non-negotiable; we must ensure the new “soil” is rich and strong enough to hold the new “root.” By using Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) therapy, we use our own growth factors to speed up this rebuilding process, ensuring the site is ready for a second, successful attempt.

Once the site has healed and the bone is dense again, Dr. Kevin Kim utilizes Computer-Guided Implant Surgery to place the replacement implant. This technology is especially vital for replacements because the anatomy of the jaw may have changed. By mapping out the new implant’s position on a computer first, Dr. Kim can avoid the exact spots that led to the previous failure, ensuring maximum stability. For our neighbors in the South Sound, this means a higher level of predictability and a much lower risk of having to go through the process a third time. We often use higher-grade Zirconia or Titanium materials to ensure the new restoration is as durable as possible.

At Dental Health Associates, we believe that every patient deserves a smile they can trust. If you are experiencing pain, swelling, or looseness in an existing implant, it is important to act quickly to save the surrounding bone. To learn more about the success rates of replacement implants and how to prevent future failures, you can consult the American Academy of Periodontology or the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. Dr. Kevin Kim is here to provide the expert, specialized care needed to turn a dental setback into a lifelong success.