Gangnam Full-Arch Implant Dentures: Not Adapting Well

Lee Jang-wook, Chief Director

Hello.

The place that does its best

for a healthy smile

is Etoile de Seoul Dental Clinic.

Today’s story is about how one person who had struggled for a long time with Gangnam full-mouth implant dentures found happiness again. There was a person who had spent 10 years unable to smile or eat properly because of dentures.

This was someone who lived in constant worry, afraid that the dentures might come out several times a day. But what about now? They now smile brightly while biting into an apple with their grandchild, enjoy delicious meals with family, and spend happy days. What on earth happened? They met a new hope called full-arch implants.

We take care of your dental health.

Old dentures,

and happiness regained

Let me tell you the story of Ms. Kim Hye-sook, whom I met. Ms. Hye-sook, who is 65 years old, came to see me for the first time and said through tears, "Doctor, I’m even afraid to smile now. Eating is painful too."

Ms. Hye-sook had been using Gangnam full-mouth implant dentures for 10 years, but as time passed, her alveolar bone was resorbed and the dentures kept becoming loose. She spent her days anxious that the dentures might come out several times a day. In particular, when eating with her grandchild, she said she always felt sorry because she could not chew properly.

"Every time my grandchild asked, ‘Grandma, why do you always eat porridge?’ my heart hurt. Because I couldn’t even eat a hard slice of apple with peace of mind." Ms. Hye-sook’s voice carried the sorrow she had accumulated over 10 years.

What was even harder was meeting people. She said that every time she spoke, the dentures would move and her pronunciation became unclear, and when she smiled, she was always covering her mouth with her hand because she was afraid the dentures would show. "I didn’t even want to go to get-togethers with friends. Everyone else was eating deliciously, but I couldn’t eat properly, so I felt self-conscious."

A new hope, full-arch implants

For Ms. Hye-sook, we suggested a new hope called full-arch implants. Unlike conventional Gangnam full-mouth implant dentures, this method fixes the entire set of teeth with 4 to 6 implants, and we explained that it can restore chewing power to up to 90% of natural teeth.

"Really? They won’t come off?" Ms. Hye-sook asked, half in doubt. Yes, full-arch implants do not move at all inside the mouth. That is because they are not removable like implant dentures, but are completely fixed.

What surprised her the most was that a temporary prosthesis could be fitted on the day of surgery. "So I don’t have to spend time without teeth, right?" That’s correct. You can return to daily life immediately after surgery, and the final prosthesis is completed within about 30 days.

Daily life began to change little by little

One week after the surgery, Ms. Hye-sook called me. "Doctor, for the first time in 10 years, I slept soundly last night. I don’t have to lose sleep worrying that the dentures will come out."

When she came in two weeks later, her expression was much brighter. "My daughter-in-law was shocked. It was because I was enjoying soybean paste stew so much. I had only been drinking the broth all this time."

About a month later, Ms. Hye-sook came into the treatment room with a bright smile.

"Doctor, yesterday I bit into an apple for the first time!" At that moment, I could feel that her eyes had truly changed.

A happy table with family

Three months later, Ms. Hye-sook told me this story.

"My daughter-in-law was shocked. It was because I was eating braised short ribs so deliciously. She said it was a 모습 she hadn’t seen in a long time."

The happiest moment was something else. She said it was the moment she could laugh together while blowing out the candles at her grandchild’s birthday party. "For the first time in 10 years, I could laugh without worry. I didn’t have to worry about the Gangnam full-mouth implant dentures coming out."

Her grandchild must have noticed the change too. Ms. Hye-sook teared up as she told me that her grandchild said, "Grandma, your smile is prettier now." "I felt sorry and grateful when I thought about how awkwardly I must have smiled all that time."

Why full-arch implants are special

The greatest advantage of full-arch implants is the restoration of chewing power. While ordinary dentures restore only about 20-30% of natural teeth, implant dentures restore 60-80%, and full-arch implants restore up to 90%. This is a change that not only affects chewing food, but also transforms overall quality of life.

Also, even when there is insufficient jawbone, in many cases the procedure can be performed without bone grafting by using 3D navigation and advanced digital technology. This is thanks to the technique of placing implants at special angles and positions.

Above all, it is excellent in terms of aesthetics as well. The gum line carefully recreated with pink porcelain and the natural-looking teeth made with zirconia create results that look as natural as one’s own gums.

Another story of hope

There was also 72-year-old Mr. Park Cheol-su. He had difficulty even speaking because of Gangnam full-mouth implant dentures, but after full-arch implants, he said he now chats with neighborhood elders while playing baduk.

I still vividly remember how he smiled brightly and said, "Now I can even sing trot songs at the karaoke room." His family was so happy. His daughter said, "It’s really been a long time since I’ve seen my father talk this much."

Who is this treatment suitable for?

Full-arch implants are a treatment suitable for a wide range of people. They are especially good for those who feel burdened by cost. They are more economical than replacing all teeth with individual implants.

They are also ideal for those who want fast treatment. In a 2- to 3-hour surgery, the full function of the teeth can be restored, and with same-day temporary prosthesis placement, returning to daily life is quick.

They are also a reliable solution for people who have been wearing dentures for a long time and are in a toothless state, or for those whose dentures keep falling out. They are also suitable for people who have difficulty moving around and cannot visit the clinic multiple times, and they are a good alternative for those who are older and are considering full implants. They are a treatment that older adults can definitely undergo. In fact, they can be said to be even more suitable for people who have difficulty visiting multiple times.

Changes that heal the heart too

Ms. Hye-sook’s son told me this:

"It’s really been a long time since I’ve seen my mother this bright. We’re also so happy that we can have family gatherings without worrying about food."

That’s really true. Full-arch implants seem to heal not just the teeth, but the heart as well. Confidence returns, social life becomes more active, and relationships with family become even closer.

Ms. Hye-sook also said, "Now I’m planning to go restaurant-hopping with my friends and even planning trips. I’m going to start doing one by one the things I’ve put off all this time."

What I want to tell you

I’m sometimes asked this question: "Doctor, is it okay even if I’m older?" As with Ms. Hye-sook, it is absolutely possible even after age 65. Even if you have diabetes or high blood pressure, it is possible in most cases if they are well controlled.

To those of you who are struggling with dentures at this moment, I want to say: never give up. Like Ms. Hye-sook, you can find new hope. What Ms. Hye-sook said to me at her final visit still remains in my heart: "Doctor, now I’m looking forward to the future. I want to eat delicious food with my grandchild and go traveling too."

A day will surely come when you can smile in the mirror every morning and share happiness while eating with your family. Until that day comes, please do not let go of hope.

I believe that you too will one day be able to smile brightly again, just like Ms. Hye-sook. I will be with you on that journey. I hope Ms. Hye-sook’s story, which changed from Gangnam full-mouth implant dentures to full-arch implants, will also become a source of hope for you. If you have any questions at any time, please contact us.

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