Key Points You Shouldn’t Miss When Choosing Full-Arch Dentures

Lee Jang-wook, Chief Director

Hello.

This is Etoile de Seoul Dental Clinic.

We are glad to welcome you with warm hearts today as well. Many people worry about what kind of treatment they should receive after losing teeth.

In particular, if you have lost several teeth, the need for treatment may feel even more urgent. Many people are thinking, “My existing dentures are uncomfortable and keep coming loose, but having all my teeth restored with implants would be too much of a burden...”

Because full-arch dentures are a treatment concept different from conventional dentures, we would like to explain them in detail so they can help solve these concerns when needed.

I hope this article helps answer your questions.

We take care of your dental health.

Full-Arch Dentures

Key Points You Shouldn’t Miss

When Choosing Them

What are full-arch dentures?

If regular dentures are simply placed on the gums,

full-arch dentures are a method in which about 4 to 6

implants are placed into the jawbone,

and a prosthesis connecting all the teeth at once

is fixed on top of them.

Think of it like building a house: you first

set up strong pillars and then place the roof on top.

If conventional dentures are like a temporary

structure placed on sand, full-arch dentures can be

compared to a sturdy building erected on a solid foundation.

The biggest feature of this treatment is that it can

restore the function of the entire dentition without

replacing every tooth with a separate implant.

It can restore a significant portion of the chewing force

of natural teeth, and because it does not move in the mouth,

it can reduce the discomfort of conventional dentures.

Treatment process and features of full-arch dentures

Full-arch denture treatment is carried out through

several steps.

First, we assess the condition of the jawbone

through a detailed examination and evaluation.

Through 3D CT imaging and oral scanning, we accurately

analyze the structure of the mouth, and use a computer

simulation to plan in advance where the implants will be placed.

During the actual procedure, we use a 3D navigation system

to confirm and place the implants at the planned positions.

Because a flapless method is used in this process,

pain may be reduced and the recovery period may be shorter

than with conventional methods.

The surgery time is also relatively short, at about

2 to 3 hours.

The most surprising point is that a temporary prosthesis

can be attached on the same day.

This means you do not have to spend time without teeth,

and it can allow a faster return to daily life.

Afterward, once the gums have recovered and the implants

have stabilized, the prosthesis is replaced with a more precise

one within about 30 days.

The materials used for the prosthesis are also very important.

Pink porcelain is used to create a natural gum color,

and zirconia is used for the tooth portion, allowing it to be

made naturally to resemble the original teeth.

How to care for full-arch dentures and what to watch out for

Full-arch dentures, like natural teeth,

require consistent care.

Proper daily brushing is essential, and you should

clean around the implants carefully using dental floss or

interdental brushes.

The difference from regular teeth is that you need to pay

special attention to the boundary between the implant and the gums.

Regular checkups are also very important.

Please be sure to visit once every 6 months to check the

condition of the implants and the health of the surrounding gums.

It is even better if you receive professional scaling at the same time.

There are also things to be careful about in your diet.

In the early stage, while wearing the temporary prosthesis,

it is better to avoid hard or chewy foods.

However, after the permanent prosthesis is placed,

most foods can be eaten freely.

That said, it is still better to avoid very hard items such

as ice or nut shells, just as they are not good for natural teeth.

Real concerns and solutions

Many people ask, “Is this treatment possible even if I’m old?”

Advanced age does not necessarily mean treatment is difficult.

In fact, it can be a suitable option for people who may

have difficulty coming to the clinic multiple times because of age.

However, because there are individual differences depending on

overall health, sufficient evaluation and testing are necessary.

We are also often asked, “Is it okay if I have diabetes or high blood pressure?”

Even if you have these chronic conditions, treatment is possible in most cases

if the conditions are well controlled.

However, if blood sugar or blood pressure is not controlled,

it is better to postpone treatment, and it is important to proceed only after

sufficient evaluation.

We also hear many concerns like, “Is it possible even if I have lost a lot of jawbone?”

When 3D navigation technology is used, even if there is insufficient jawbone,

implants can often be placed at special angles and positions, making treatment possible

without bone grafting in many cases.

Questions you may be wondering about

The first question people ask most often is, “How is it different from regular dentures?”

Regular dentures are simply placed on the gums,

with chewing force only about 20–30% of that of natural teeth,

and they can be uncomfortable because they keep slipping or moving.

On the other hand, full-arch dentures are fixed to implants,

so they provide comfortable chewing function and do not move at all in the mouth.

The second question is, “How long does it last?”

It varies depending on each person’s oral care habits and whether they receive regular checkups,

but with proper care, it can be used for a long time.

If genuine implants are used and thorough aftercare is provided,

it can last even longer.

The third question is, “How severe is the pain?”

If the procedure is performed using a flapless method with 3D navigation,

pain can be reduced.

There may be some discomfort after the procedure,

but it can usually be controlled with common pain relievers,

and the flapless method helps reduce pain.

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Final note

What I would like to say to those who are wondering

what treatment to receive after losing teeth is this:

do not delay too long.

As time passes, the jawbone is absorbed further,

and treatment can become more difficult.

Full-arch dentures can be a good alternative to the discomfort of conventional dentures

and the burden of full-mouth implants.

However, as with all treatments,

the appropriate method may differ depending on your condition,

so please establish the most suitable treatment plan through

sufficient examination and evaluation.

We will always do our best to help you regain a healthy smile.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us anytime.

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