Vertical Bone Augmentation in Lakewood, WA

For patients in Lakewood and Tacoma, the most significant challenge in dental restoration is often a lack of bone height. While losing width is common, a “vertical” deficiency, where the jawbone has flattened out over time, presents a complex puzzle. Without enough height, a dental implant could sit too deep, look unnaturally long, or even interfere with the nerves in the lower jaw or the sinuses in the upper jaw. At the office of Dr. Kevin Kim, DDS, we specialize in Vertical Bone Augmentation, a sophisticated surgical procedure designed to “lift” the bone level back to its original, healthy height.

Vertical bone loss typically happens after years of wearing traditional dentures or as a result of severe, long-term gum disease. As a specialized Dental Implant Periodontist, Dr. Kevin Kim uses Vertical Bone Augmentation to literally grow new bone upward. This is considered one of the most advanced procedures in implant dentistry because it requires extreme precision to manage the delicate gum tissues that must stretch to cover the new bone. Using CBCT 3D Imaging, Dr. Kim maps out the “vertical gap” to determine the exact amount of height needed to safely house a titanium implant.

Advanced Techniques for Vertical Growth

At Dental Health Associates, we use several cutting-edge methods to achieve vertical height:

• Guided Bone Regeneration (GBR): Dr. Kim uses a specialized, titanium-reinforced membrane that acts like a “tent pole,” creating a space above the existing bone where grafting material can be placed. This prevents the gums from pressing down, allowing bone to grow upward into the protected space.
• Sinus Lift (Upper Jaw): In the back of the upper jaw, vertical height is often gained by gently lifting the sinus floor and placing bone graft material underneath it.
• Distraction Osteogenesis: In rare, severe cases, the bone can be slowly “stretched” apart to encourage new bone to grow in the widening gap.
• PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin): We use your own concentrated growth factors to ensure the soft tissue heals quickly and the new bone integrates effectively.

The results of vertical augmentation are transformative. Beyond just allowing for a dental implant, it restores the natural proportions of your face. By bringing the bone back to its proper height, Dr. Kim ensures that your final Zirconia or Porcelain Crown emerges from the gum line at a natural angle, preventing the “long tooth” look often associated with severe bone loss. This meticulous care is why patients from Steilacoom to University Place seek out Dr. Kim for complex reconstructive work.

We believe that transparency about the healing timeline is essential. Vertical augmentation is a biological process that requires patience, often taking several months to fully mature before an implant can be placed. To learn more about the complexities of vertical bone growth, you can visit the American Academy of Periodontology or read the Mayo Clinic’s guide to advanced dental reconstruction. Dr. Kevin Kim, DDS is one of the few specialists in the South Sound with the training and technology to successfully manage these high-level cases.