Where Full-Arch Implant Treatment Is Available in Apgujeong

Lee Jang-wook, Chief Director

Hello.

A place that does its best

for a healthy smile

This is Etoile Seoul Dental Clinic.

Today, there is a story I really want to share with you. It is the story of someone who regained a new life through Apgujeong full-arch implant treatment.

These days, many people suffer from the inconvenience of dentures after losing their teeth. We meet so many people who cannot chew properly, develop digestive problems, or worry that their dentures will come loose and fall out every time they speak. It is especially painful to see how burdensome mealtimes with family become, and how cautious they become even about smiling.

But if you hear the story I’m about to tell you, I’m sure you will feel hopeful. I would like to share with you the moving process of how a person in their 70s regained a bright smile.

We take care of your dental health.

Our first meeting began with tears

Last spring, Ms. Kim Soon-ja, in her mid-70s, came to see me, led by her daughter-in-law. When I first met her, she was covering her mouth with a mask and hardly said anything. Her daughter-in-law explained that over the past few years, her teeth had begun falling out one by one, and now she had almost no remaining teeth, so she was wearing dentures.

"Doctor, my mother barely speaks these days. Her dentures keep getting loose, so she is worried they might come out every time she talks." Even in her daughter-in-law’s voice, I could hear how distressed she was.

When I carefully asked her to remove her mask, I still remember the tears she shed. The moment she said in a small voice, "Doctor, I’m embarrassed to show you such an ugly appearance," broke my heart.

The weight of a lost daily life

After hearing Ms. Kim Soon-ja’s story, I truly felt for her. Because her dentures did not fit properly, it was hard for her to chew, so she could only eat porridge or soft foods. Even when her grandchildren came to visit, it was difficult to eat together, and she gradually began to feel excluded from family gatherings.

"In the past, when the grandchildren came over, she used to prepare delicious food and talk with them a lot, but now she has trouble speaking and does not want others to see her eating, so she just stays in her room," her daughter-in-law said, and Ms. Kim lowered her head even more.

What was especially heartbreaking was that she could not sleep properly at night. She removed her dentures before bed, but she said she had lost confidence even in front of her husband because she disliked how sunken her mouth looked.

A seed of hope: implants

After carefully examining her current condition, I found that although a great deal of the jawbone had been resorbed, Apgujeong full-arch implant treatment was possible using 3D navigation. It was a method that could restore the entire upper and lower jaws with just 4 to 6 implants.

"Ms. Kim Soon-ja, please don’t worry. There is a method that may not require bone grafting. If the implants are placed at a special angle, it may be possible to attach a temporary prosthesis on the same day," I explained, and for the first time, I could see a light of hope in her eyes.

Unlike conventional implants, this method restores the function of the entire set of teeth with a small number of implants. Even in cases like Ms. Kim’s, where there is insufficient jawbone, 3D navigation technology can reduce the burden significantly because bone grafting may not be necessary.

The beginning of a miraculous change

On the day of treatment, Ms. Kim was very nervous. But the procedure was performed using a 3D navigation-guided, non-incisional method, and a temporary prosthesis could be attached immediately.

"Can I really live without dentures now?" That was the first thing she said as she looked in the mirror. It was the moment she had proper teeth again for the first time in 30 years. Seeing Ms. Kim and her family rejoice together at that moment moved me deeply as well.

During the temporary prosthesis period, I told her to avoid hard foods, but even that was enough for her to feel satisfied. She said, "Now I no longer have to worry about my dentures coming out when I talk to people, and I can’t tell you how good that feels."

30 days later, complete recovery

About a month later, on the day the prosthesis was fitted, Ms. Kim looked like a completely different person. Greeting me with a bright smile, she happily said, "Doctor, I ate samgyeopsal with my grandson yesterday!" and I felt happy along with her.

The prosthesis has chewing ability close to that of natural teeth, so it is highly likely that patients will be able to eat a variety of foods. The gum line, naturally recreated with pink porcelain, and the zirconia teeth looked so natural, as if they were her original teeth.

"I never knew eating with my family could be this enjoyable. My husband is also so happy to see me this bright again," she said with a radiant smile. As a doctor, there is no greater reward than seeing Ms. Kim like this.

Another miraculous story

Around the same time, a man in his mid-50s, Mr. Park, also began a new life. He was worried about treatment because he had diabetes, but since his blood sugar was well controlled, the procedure could be carried out without issue.

"I haven’t smiled properly in 20 years, but now I even enjoy taking photos," he said with a big smile, and it really left a strong impression on me. If conditions are well managed, Apgujeong full-arch implant treatment can be considered.

Happiness that continues today

Even now, six months later, Ms. Kim comes to her regular checkups with a bright expression. Every time she says, "Thanks to you, my life has changed. Now I want to travel with my friends, and I can enjoy delicious food to my heart’s content, so every day is enjoyable," I feel a deep sense of reward as a doctor.

With proper care, Apgujeong full-arch implants can be used for a long time. Just like natural teeth, all that is needed is proper daily brushing and regular checkups. You, too, can regain the precious moments of daily life, just like Ms. Kim, and create happy times with your family.

Don’t lose hope

Many people give up, saying, "I’m too old," "There’s no bone," or "I have diabetes." But as Ms. Kim Soon-ja’s story shows, you can still have hope. Apgujeong full-arch implant treatment is a procedure that opens up new possibilities even in such difficult situations.

The day will surely come when you can smile again, just like this grandmother. Mealtimes with loved ones, a confident smile, a comfortable night’s sleep... you can once again enjoy the value of all these everyday moments. Please do not give up—hold on to hope. We support your bright smile.

Previous image Next image

▲[Etoile Seoul Dental Clinic] We provide treatment in a warm and clean atmosphere.

▼ Etoile Seoul Dental Clinic YouTube ▼

Previous image Next image

Previous image Next image