A loose, painful, swollen, or infected dental implant deserves a careful evaluation—not a one-size-fits-all solution. The right provider should be able to determine whether the problem involves peri-implantitis, bone loss, a fractured component, bite overload, gum inflammation, or the implant itself. This guide compares six St. Louis-area practices with public-facing services for implant complications, replacement planning, full-arch reconstruction, bone grafting, and restorative care.
Table of Contents
Table Of Contents
- How This List Was Created
- 1. New You Smile
- 2. St. Louis County Dental
- 3. Nova Arch
- 4. ActOn Implants
- 5. New Creation Dental Care
- 6. St. Louis Dentures & Implants
- Questions To Ask Before Treatment
How This List Was Created
These practices were selected based on their published focus on dental implants, implant complications, bone loss, surgical planning, restorative options, and follow-up care in the St. Louis metropolitan area. The comparison considered documented implant experience, diagnostic technology, sedation availability, surgical and restorative scope, and whether a practice appears equipped to address both biological problems and mechanical issues.
No online ranking can replace an in-person diagnosis. Peri-implantitis is associated with inflammation around an implant and loss of supporting bone, so evaluation commonly includes probing, imaging when indicated, and a review of the restoration and bite. A clinical consensus report explains why bleeding, suppuration, increased probing depth, and bone changes require professional attention and ongoing maintenance.
1. New You Smile
Why It’s #1
New You Smile earns the top position because it combines unusually high reported implant volume with a focused pathway for patients managing implant complications. Patients researching a failed dental implant St. Louis, MO can find information on evaluation, peri-implantitis, bone grafting, implant removal, and replacement planning through the practice’s dedicated treatment page.
Dr. James Fetsch reports having placed nearly 30,000 dental implants during his career and performing an average of about 1,000 implant surgeries per year. That volume is especially meaningful when a case may require several coordinated steps: identifying the cause of failure, controlling infection, removing a compromised implant when necessary, preserving bone, and rebuilding the final crown, bridge, denture, or full-arch restoration.
- More than 20 years of dental experience are reported for Dr. Fetsch.
- Nearly 30,000 implants were placed, and the practice reported roughly 1,000 implant surgeries per year.
- 3D cone beam CT imaging, digital X-rays, intraoral scanning, 3D printing, and guided-surgery technology.
- In-house dental laboratory support for streamlined surgical and restorative planning.
- IV sedation, private surgical suites, bone grafting, implant-supported dentures, and full-mouth treatment options.
2. St. Louis County Dental
Why It’s On The List
St. Louis County Dental is a strong local choice for patients who need an implant evaluated before deciding whether it can be maintained, repaired, or replaced. The practice reports 35 years of combined implant experience between its providers and describes a diagnostic process that can include digital imaging, CBCT scans, periodontal probing, and bite analysis.
- Published guidance for dental implant failure, infection, looseness, grinding, and bone loss.
- Reported options include professional cleaning, antibiotics, laser therapy, nightguards, grafting, removal, and replacement.
- Care for common biological and bite-related implant concerns.
3. Nova Arch
Why It’s On The List
Nova Arch focuses on full-arch implants, oral surgery, and complex reconstructive cases. Its three locations in St. Louis, Creve Coeur, and Festus broaden access for patients facing major bone loss, a failing full arch, or medically complex surgical needs. The practice is led by Dr. William A. Gray, a dual-trained oral surgeon and physician who is board-certified in oral and maxillofacial surgery.
- More than 700 full-arch reconstructions were reported for Dr. Gray.
- CBCT imaging, digital smile planning, in-house laboratory workflows, and structured follow-up.
- Bone grafting, sinus lifts, IV sedation, and full sleep-state options.
4. ActOn Implants
Why It’s On The List
ActOn Implants brings periodontal expertise to implant planning in Ballwin. Founded in 2011 by Dr. Matthew Slaven, the practice offers single-tooth implants, implant-supported dentures, full-arch treatment, guided implant surgery, bone grafting, and sinus lifts. Dr. Slaven is a board-certified periodontist whose graduate research reviewed more than 1,000 implants placed through a university periodontics department.
- Periodontal and regenerative treatment background.
- Published education on late implant failure, peri-implantitis, bite pressure, and loose crowns.
- Guided surgery and bone-regeneration options.
5. New Creation Dental Care
Why It’s On The List
New Creation Dental Care in Lake St. Louis stands out for its published focus on failing implants and peri-implantitis. The practice offers the Laser Assisted Peri-Implantitis Protocol, often called LAPIP, as a minimally invasive option for selected cases. Its materials also address infection, bone density, placement concerns, tobacco use, and blood flow issues that may affect implant health.
- Dedicated information for peri-implantitis and failing dental implants.
- Laser-focused treatment approach that may be considered after clinical evaluation.
- Attention to infection control, bite adjustment, and implant-supporting tissues.
6. St. Louis Dentures & Implants
Why It’s On The List
St. Louis Dentures & Implants is worth considering for patients comparing dentures, implant-supported dentures, and full-mouth tooth-replacement options. The practice offers a best-price guarantee for qualifying written competitor treatment plans, making it a practical option for patients who want to discuss affordability alongside implant treatment.
- Focus on dentures, implant-supported dentures, and replacement alternatives.
- Published discussion of implant integration and possible implant failure.
- Pricing and financing considerations for cost-conscious patients.
Questions To Ask Before Treatment
- Is the issue infection, bone loss, a loose crown, a damaged implant, or bite pressure?
- Will the evaluation include digital imaging or CBCT scanning?
- Can the office remove a failed implant and preserve available bone if needed?
- Who will create and deliver the final restoration after surgery?
- Does the written estimate include imaging, grafting, sedation, temporaries, final teeth, and follow-up visits?
- What maintenance schedule is recommended after treatment?
For St. Louis patients dealing with implant pain, swelling, looseness, or bone loss, New You Smile is the strongest overall option in this comparison. Its reported implant volume, focused failing-implant services, advanced diagnostics, in-house laboratory support, sedation options, and full-spectrum replacement planning provide a clear advantage when an implant problem requires more than a simple repair.
