A 90s Senior Who Was Curious About Implant Insurance Pricing: How Did the Treatment Proceed?

Hello☺️

This is Seoul-Ob Dental Hospital in Jamsil💚

Among seniors in their 90s,

there are many who ask,

“Because I’m older, is insurance-covered implant treatment possible?”

Insurance-covered implants

The 90s patient who visited us this time had also

been living with dentures for a long time,

but recently had repeated pain and gum swelling,

making it difficult to eat properly.

In particular, in the lower molar area,

almost all the teeth were missing,

so the chewing force was concentrated on one side,

and discomfort had developed in the jaw joint as well.

“We first checked whether insurance-covered implant treatment was possible.”

In older patients,

many people worry in advance that

“Because of my age, implant insurance will be impossible.”

However, in reality,

bone condition, whether medications are being taken, and the degree of management of systemic diseases

determine whether treatment is possible.

Seoul-Ob Dental Hospital implants

After checking the senior’s condition through a panoramic X-ray and oral examination,

we reached the following conclusion:

• Tooth loss in the lower molar area (#26·27) • Pain caused by gum inflammation • Reduced chewing function • The remaining alveolar bone was at a level that could support implants

Seoul-Ob Dental Hospital

In other words, the case qualified for insurance-covered implants,

and because the systemic conditions (hypertension and hyperlipidemia)

were being stably managed,

it was a situation in which implants were fully possible.

Insurance-covered implants for a patient in their 90s

Gum stabilization after extraction

The remaining teeth were already

broken and loose, and were no longer functioning normally,

so we proceeded with extraction while paying close attention to minimizing inflammation.

Because pain after extraction can interfere with daily life for a patient in their 90s,

we carefully monitored pain control and the speed of gum recovery.

Insurance-covered implant placement

After the gums stabilized,

we placed the implant using a BA implant,

which is eligible for insurance coverage.

For older patients, the important points are

whether it can firmly integrate with the bone and whether the placement angle can properly distribute the force from chewing.

In this case, the amount of bone resorption was relatively small,

so the implant could settle in a stable position,

and because the surgery time was not long,

the patient was able to complete treatment without much burden.

Prosthetic (crown) connection, recovery of chewing function

After confirming that the implant had integrated well with the bone,

we connected a custom prosthetic.

In older adults,

many worry,

“Won’t I be unable to eat hard foods?”

With precise bite adjustment,

even soft foods as well as regular meals

are possible without discomfort.

The patient also said,

“I lost the habit of chewing only on one side,”

and “It feels good to eat again after a long time.”☺️

Key points of this case

• Even in your 90s, if your systemic condition is stable, insurance-covered implants may be possible • Because it is covered by insurance, the cost burden is not large • Chewing strength and stability are much better than with old dentures • Satisfaction is high in terms of speech and eating

We hope you do not give up on necessary treatment simply because of age.

With an accurate diagnosis and step-by-step management,

implants can greatly improve a senior’s daily life.

Changes after treatment, and the meaning of implants for older patients

A few weeks after the implant was placed,

the patient’s facial expression changed noticeably.

Unlike before, when meals took a long time,

their food intake increased,

and they said digestion had become much easier.

In particular, as the gum pain disappeared,

they said it took less effort to speak,

and they could go out with much more confidence.

Implant insurance

Above all, the biggest change was that their daily rhythm was restored.

Because there was no pain like before,

the pattern of meals–rest–sleep became more stable,

and as their condition improved, their family also said,

“Your expression looks brighter.”

From the dental clinic’s perspective,

one might think,

“Would an implant have been too burdensome for a patient in their 90s?”

However, in practice,

accurate diagnosis → step-by-step recovery → short surgery → safe prosthetic connection

If this process is followed well,

it is sufficiently effective even in older adults

and is a treatment that can greatly improve quality of life.

We also prepared a stuffed toy that can be hugged for those with dental anxiety ^^

Like this case,

an insurance-covered implant fitted to the necessary area

is not simply a treatment that “fills one tooth,”

but can be a treatment that restores a senior’s ability to eat,

health condition, and motivation for daily life.

If needed,

we will first check the condition of the dentures or implants you currently have.

We can also accurately guide you on whether treatment is possible, whether it is truly necessary, and whether it can be safely skipped.

Seoul-Ob Dental Hospital 4th and 5th Floors, 196 Baekjegobun-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul

Seoul-Ob Dental Hospital

4th–5th Floors, 196 Baekjegobun-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul

☎ 02-418-2275

🚇 3-minute walk from Exit 2 of Samjeon Station

💬 Consultations available via Naver TalkTalk / KakaoTalk under “Seoul-Ob Dental”

🅿️ Pink parking lot available behind the building

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If you are curious about implant insurance, we recommend consulting with the specialist medical team at Seoul-Ob Dental Hospital. In general, the time required for implant placement can vary greatly depending on the medical team’s skill, and there are differences in the maintenance period and satisfaction level.

For older patients such as those in their 90s, aging of the teeth and gums can make the surgery itself more difficult, which requires a more in-depth surgical approach from the medical team. If the surgery is performed improperly, problems may arise with chewing function. A prosthetic must be made with high quality so that there is no gap between the teeth and gums, and the alignment of the implant must be correct.