Understanding a specialist's background is crucial when considering dental procedures. You inquired about Dr. Alexander J. Kim, a periodontist reportedly practicing in Sunnyvale, CA, specifically regarding his gum surgery experience and patient reviews, noting his graduation from the University of Pittsburgh in June 2008. Let's delve into the details based on available information.
Highlights: Key Insights
- Specialized Focus: Dr. Kim is a periodontist whose practice, AJK Dental Implants & Periodontics Specialist, concentrates specifically on periodontics (gum health) and dental implants.
- Gum Surgery Experience: His extensive training includes a Periodontics residency at the University of Pittsburgh, focusing on surgical and non-surgical gum therapies like gum grafting.
- Patient Feedback Overview: Reviews present a mixed picture, with some sources indicating a lower numerical rating based on few reviews, while others highlight very positive patient experiences regarding professionalism, care, and results, particularly for gum procedures.
Practice and Background Information
Specialization and Location
Dr. Alexander J. Kim is confirmed as a practicing periodontist. Periodontists specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease (gum disease) and in the placement of dental implants. His practice, AJK Dental Implants & Periodontics Specialist, located in Sunnyvale, California, is explicitly limited to these specialized areas.
Regarding the address, while your query mentioned 25 E Remington Dr Ste. 3, multiple sources list the practice address as:
425 E Remington Dr Ste 3, Sunnyvale, CA 94087
It's advisable to confirm the current address directly with the practice if planning a visit.
Entrance to the building housing AJK Periodontics & Dental Implants in Sunnyvale.
Education and Foundational Training
Dr. Kim's advanced training is central to his expertise. He completed a residency program in Periodontics at the University of Pittsburgh. Some sources indicate this residency concluded around June 2008, suggesting significant clinical experience since then. This specialized training focused intensively on:
- Surgical therapies for gum disease and recession.
- Non-surgical periodontal treatments.
- Techniques for developing healthy jawbones and gums.
- Smile esthetics related to gum contours.
- Dental implant placement and related procedures.
Prior to his residency, Dr. Kim attended the University of the Pacific in San Francisco for dental school.
Expertise in Gum Surgery
Core Competency Through Specialization
As a periodontist whose practice is dedicated to gum health and implants, gum surgery is a core component of Dr. Kim's expertise. His residency provided in-depth, hands-on training in the surgical techniques necessary to treat various gum conditions and prepare sites for dental implants.
Types of Procedures
Dr. Kim's training and practice focus encompass a range of gum surgeries, including:
- Gum Grafting: Procedures like free gingival grafts or connective tissue grafts are used to treat gum recession, thicken gum tissue, and improve the gum line's appearance and health. Sources mention his experience with gum grafting, with one patient review specifically praising a positive outcome from such a procedure.
- Periodontal Disease Treatment: Surgical interventions may be required for advanced periodontitis to reduce pocket depths, regenerate lost bone and tissue, or remove diseased tissue.
- Implant-Related Surgery: Placing dental implants often requires surgical preparation of the gum and underlying bone, areas central to periodontal expertise.
- Esthetic Gum Procedures: Correcting gummy smiles or uneven gum lines through surgical contouring.
Gum surgery procedures are a key part of periodontal specialty care.
Practice Approach
The practice emphasizes combining proven periodontal techniques with modern technology to provide high-quality care focused on patient comfort and long-term successful outcomes in gum health and dental implants.
Patient Feedback: Ratings and Reviews
Synthesizing Available Information
Patient ratings and reviews for Dr. Alexander J. Kim present a somewhat varied picture, influenced by the limited number of reviews available on public platforms.
Numerical Ratings vs. Qualitative Reviews
Some platforms like Healthgrades and Sharecare report a lower average numerical rating (around 2.3 out of 5) based on a very small sample size (e.g., 3 ratings). However, qualitative reviews found on platforms like Yelp, including recent ones from 2025, paint a more positive picture. It's important to consider both aspects:
- Low Numerical Score: Indicates potential dissatisfaction among a small subset of reviewers on certain platforms.
- Positive Written Feedback: Highlights specific positive experiences, often contradicting the low numerical score.
Common Themes in Positive Reviews
Despite the numerical rating discrepancy, positive reviews frequently mention:
- Professionalism and Kindness: Patients describe Dr. Kim as professional, kind, and having a good bedside manner, making them feel at ease during procedures. One review stated, "Dr. Kim was super professional and kind... I had a great experience here..."
- Staff Interaction: The office staff are often described as courteous, responsive, welcoming, and knowledgeable.
- Quality of Care: Positive comments mention the high level of care, thoroughness, and successful outcomes, particularly for gum grafts and implants. A patient noted feeling minimal pain during a gum graft procedure and being happy with the results, appreciating Dr. Kim's follow-up care.
- Office Environment: Cleanliness and adherence to health regulations are sometimes noted, contributing to patient confidence.
Review Source Comparison Table
The following table summarizes the conflicting rating information found across different sources:
| Source Platform |
Reported Rating Summary |
Number of Reviews Cited |
Key Sentiment |
| Healthgrades / Sharecare (from Answer A) |
Average 2.3 / 5 |
3 Ratings / 2 Written |
Low numerical rating, one positive written review mentioned. |
| Yelp / WebMD / US News (from Answer C) |
Average 4.5 - 5 / 5 |
Small number (e.g., 3 reviews on some platforms) |
Generally positive, high scores, detailed positive written reviews. |
| Yelp (from Answer B) |
Generally Positive |
Multiple positive reviews |
Positive comments on professionalism, staff, care, results. |
| Healthgrades (from Answer D) |
Not Specified |
3 Reviews (content unknown) |
Mentions friendly staff, easy scheduling. |
Note: This table reflects information synthesized from the provided answers; actual current ratings may vary. The number of reviews is consistently low across platforms.
Dr. Kim's Practice Aspects: Radar Chart Analysis
Based on the synthesized information, the following radar chart provides an estimated visualization of different aspects of Dr. Kim's practice. Note that 'Overall Rating Perception' reflects the conflicting data found in reviews.
Visualizing Dr. Kim's Profile: Mind Map
This mind map provides a visual summary of the key aspects discussed regarding Dr. Alexander J. Kim's professional profile.
mindmap
root["Dr. Alexander J. Kim
Periodontist, Sunnyvale CA"]
id1["Specialization"]
id1a["Periodontics (Gum Health)"]
id1b["Dental Implants"]
id1c["Practice Limited to Specialties"]
id2["Education & Training"]
id2a["University of Pittsburgh
Periodontics Residency
(Completed c. 2008)"]
id2b["University of the Pacific
Dental School"]
id2c["Focus on Surgical & Non-Surgical Therapies"]
id3["Gum Surgery Experience"]
id3a["Core Area of Expertise"]
id3b["Gum Grafting"]
id3c["Periodontal Disease Treatment"]
id3d["Implant-Related Gum Surgery"]
id3e["Esthetic Procedures"]
id4["Practice Details"]
id4a["AJK Dental Implants & Periodontics Specialist"]
id4b["Location: 425 E Remington Dr Ste 3
(Address discrepancy noted)"]
id4c["Uses Modern Technology"]
id5["Patient Feedback"]
id5a["Mixed Numerical Ratings
(Low on some sites, small sample)"]
id5b["Positive Qualitative Reviews (Yelp etc.)"]
id5b1["Professionalism & Kindness"]
id5b2["Good Staff Interaction"]
id5b3["Positive Care Outcomes (Gum Grafts)"]
id5b4["Patient Comfort"]
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What does a periodontist specialize in?
A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease (gum disease), and in the placement of dental implants. They receive extensive training beyond dental school, including three additional years of education focused on gum health, bone supporting the teeth, and implant dentistry. They treat cases ranging from mild gingivitis to severe periodontitis and perform surgical procedures like gum grafts, bone grafts, and implant placement.
Is gum surgery painful?
Modern periodontal procedures prioritize patient comfort. Local anesthesia is used to numb the area completely during the surgery, so you shouldn't feel pain during the procedure itself. Post-operative discomfort is common but usually manageable with prescribed or over-the-counter pain relievers and following post-operative care instructions carefully (e.g., diet modifications, oral hygiene). Some patient reviews for Dr. Kim specifically mentioned feeling at ease and experiencing minimal pain during gum graft procedures.
How should I interpret conflicting online reviews for a doctor?
Conflicting reviews can be confusing. It's helpful to consider several factors:
- Number of Reviews: Ratings based on very few reviews (like the 3 cited for Dr. Kim on some platforms) can be easily skewed by one or two experiences and may not represent the average patient's outcome.
- Date of Reviews: More recent reviews might reflect current practice standards more accurately.
- Content of Reviews: Look for detailed, specific comments (both positive and negative) rather than just star ratings. Consistent themes across multiple detailed reviews are often more informative.
- Source Credibility: Consider the platform where reviews are posted.
- Overall Picture: Try to get a balanced view by reading reviews across different platforms and weighing qualitative comments alongside numerical scores. Consulting directly with the practice or seeking referrals can also provide insight.
Recommended Further Reading
References