Zygomatic Dental Implants in Lakewood, WA

For some of our neighbors in Lakewood and Tacoma, the journey to a new smile has been met with a frustrating answer: “You don’t have enough bone for dental implants.” If you have experienced severe bone loss in your upper jaw, perhaps due to long-term denture use, advanced gum disease, or previous trauma, you might feel like you are stuck with loose, uncomfortable dentures forever. At the office of Dr. Kevin Kim, DDS, we offer a sophisticated alternative called Zygomatic Dental Implants. These specialized implants are designed specifically for patients who lack the necessary jawbone for traditional implants, providing a way to skip months of bone grafting and go straight to a secure, permanent smile.

What makes Zygomatic Dental Implants different is their unique anchoring point. While traditional implants are placed in the jawbone (the maxilla), zygomatic implants are much longer and are angled to anchor into the zygomatic bone, more commonly known as your cheekbone. The cheekbone is incredibly dense and stable, and unlike the jawbone, it does not shrink away when teeth are lost. As a Dental Implant Periodontist, Dr. Kevin Kim uses this dense bone to create a “rock-solid” foundation that can support a full set of upper teeth even when the jawbone itself is thin or compromised.

One of the biggest advantages for our patients at Dental Health Associates is the speed of treatment. Because zygomatic implants anchor into the strong cheekbone, they often allow us to provide Immediate Load (Same-Day) Dental Implants. In many cases, Dr. Kim can place the implants and attach a functional, fixed set of teeth in the same appointment. This “graftless” solution means you avoid the expense, multiple surgeries, and long recovery times associated with sinus lifts and major bone grafts. It is a transformative option for those near JBLM or Steilacoom who want to regain their ability to eat, speak, and smile confidently without a year-long wait.

Dr. Kevin Kim uses advanced CBCT 3D Imaging and Computer-Guided Surgery to plan these procedures with extreme precision, ensuring the safety of your sinuses and surrounding anatomy. While zygomatic implants are a more specialized and complex procedure than standard implants, they have a remarkably high success rate and offer a predictable path for those who were previously told they had no hope for a fixed bridge. To learn more about this advanced technology, you can explore the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons or see the Mayo Clinic’s research on specialized implant systems.