Does Mayo Clinic do dental implants?

Yes, Mayo Clinic's dental specialists work together to provide full care for dental implant surgery. Their multispecialty teams include oral and maxillofacial surgeons, periodontists, and prosthodontists who collaborate to ensure successful treatment outcomes based on the latest research.

Emergency Implant Evaluations in Lakewood, WA

Q: What counts as a dental emergency?

Potential surgical complications such as infection at the implant site, injury to surrounding structures (like teeth or blood vessels), or nerve damage resulting in numbness or tingling require immediate professional evaluation. Sinus problems caused by implants protruding into the sinus cavity are also considered serious issues requiring attention.

A dental implant should feel as solid and permanent as a natural tooth. When something feels “off”, whether it’s sudden pain, a wiggle, or swelling, it can be incredibly stressful. For patients in Lakewood and Tacoma, Dr. Kevin Kim, DDS provides Emergency Implant Evaluations to quickly diagnose and treat complications. Because implants are anchored directly into your bone, symptoms that seem minor can sometimes signal a deeper issue like Peri-implantitis (infection) or mechanical failure. Our goal is to see you quickly, stop the discomfort, and save your investment.

When Is It an Implant Emergency?

Not every sensation is an emergency, but certain “red flags” require an immediate specialist evaluation. As a Dental Implant Periodontist with over 20 years of experience, Dr. Kim recommends calling our office right away if you experience:

Any Movement or “Wobble”: A dental implant should never move. Even a slight wiggle can mean the crown is loose, the internal screw has fractured, or the implant has lost its bond with the bone (osseointegration failure).
Throbbing Pain or Pressure: Persistent pain months or years after surgery is not normal. It often indicates an underlying infection or nerve impingement.
Swollen, Bleeding, or Receding Gums: Healthy gums around an implant should be pink and firm. Redness, pus, or a foul taste are signs of an active bacterial infection.
Trauma to the Mouth: If you’ve had a fall or a sports injury in Steilacoom or University Place, an immediate checkup is vital to ensure the implant post hasn’t been dislodged or fractured.

What to Expect During Your Evaluation

At Dental Health Associates, we treat implant emergencies with the same urgency as a “knocked-out” tooth. Dr. Kim uses a specialized diagnostic protocol to find the root of the problem:

High-Definition 3D Imaging: We use CBCT scans to look through the gums and bone. This allows us to see hidden infections, bone loss, or microscopic cracks in the hardware that standard 2D X-rays might miss.
Stability Testing: Dr. Kim gently checks the “torque” or tightness of the components. Often, a “loose implant” is simply a loose crown or abutment screw that can be tightened in minutes.
Infection Screening: We perform “periodontal probing” around the implant to check for deep bacterial pockets or signs of inflammation.

Solutions to Save Your Smile

Our priority is always to save the implant whenever possible. Depending on his findings, Dr. Kim may perform:

Mechanical Repairs: Tightening or replacing a loose abutment screw or broken crown.
Laser Decontamination: Using advanced tools to “pressure wash” bacteria away from the implant surface to stop an infection.
Antibiotic Therapy: Targeted treatments to kill infection and allow the gums to heal.
Bone Grafting: In cases of bone loss, Dr. Kim’s expertise in advanced tissue preparation can often rebuild the foundation to keep the implant stable.

For our neighbors at JBLM, Oakbrook, and Clover Park, we understand that an implant represents a significant investment in your health. To learn more about identifying implant complications, visit the American Academy of Periodontology or the Academy of Osseointegration. Dr. Kevin Kim’s specialized training ensures that even “impossible” complications are met with a calm, expert plan for recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Service

How to evaluate dental implants?

Evaluating dental implants involves a comprehensive exam by specialists like oral surgeons or prosthodontists, which includes dental X-rays and 3D images. These evaluations are used to check the condition of your jawbone and determine if the implant is fusing correctly with the bone through a process called osseointegration.

What counts as a dental emergency?

While the focus is on standard procedures, potential surgical complications such as infection at the implant site, injury to surrounding structures, or nerve damage resulting in numbness would require immediate professional evaluation. Sinus problems caused by implants protruding into the sinus cavity are also considered serious issues requiring attention.

Who is responsible when a dental implant fails?

Success depends on both the surgical team and the patient. While specialists like periodontists and prosthodontists are responsible for the clinical placement and design, the patient is responsible for practicing excellent oral hygiene and avoiding habits like smoking, which can significantly contribute to implant failure.

What is the most common emergency in a dental clinic?

In the context of implant surgery, common issues include post-operative swelling, bruising, or minor bleeding. However, more serious complications that could lead to an emergency evaluation include the failure of the bone to fuse with the implant or unintended damage to the sinus cavity or nasal floor.