Why Etoile Apgujeong Chose a Full-Arch Implant

Chief Director Lee Jang-wook

Hello.

For a healthy smile,

We always do our best.

This is Etoile Seoul Dental Clinic.

The precious meaning of being able to smile again

Today, I’d like to share the special story of a patient who came to Etoile Apgujeong. This was not just a treatment process, but the journey of someone regaining the happiness of everyday life.

I remember the first time I met a woman in her mid-60s. Even as she opened the door to the consultation room and came in, she kept her mouth tightly closed. When we began talking, she carefully opened her mouth and said, "Doctor, I can’t smile in front of people anymore. Even looking in the mirror is so hard." The sadness in her voice made my chest feel heavy.

We are responsible for your dental health.

The long years of patience and endurance

She had left her dental health untreated for a long time. She said she had financial difficulties, and above all, she was too afraid of the dentist. I will never forget the look in her eyes when she said, "Once I go, I feel like I’ll have to keep going. So I just put up with it and lived that way." As time passed, one tooth after another began to fall out, and in the end, almost no proper teeth remained.

What was hardest for her was time with her grandchildren. "My grandchildren would tease me, saying, Grandma, smile, but I could only laugh with my mouth covered. When the kids asked, Grandma, what’s wrong?, it felt like my heart was being torn apart." I still vividly remember how her eyes welled up as she said those words.

The guilt she felt at the dining table

Mealtimes were even more painful. Even when sitting with her family, she couldn’t chew properly, so she always felt sorry. "My daughter-in-law prepares food separately for me, and while I’m grateful, I also feel so sorry. I never knew eating in front of my family would be this hard."

Her husband was also very worried. He had told her countless times, "Honey, let’s go to the dentist now," but she kept putting it off. She worried about the cost, and it also felt burdensome to have to go back and forth to the clinic many times. Above all, she had given up on herself, thinking, "At my age, what’s the point...?"

Her daughter’s desperate words changed her fate

Then her daughter personally made the hospital appointment and strongly urged her to go. "Mom, now it’s time for you to live your life. We’ll help you with everything, so please go." Encouraged by her daughter’s earnest words, she found the courage to visit Etoile Apgujeong.

The examination showed that the condition of her jawbone was not very good. But I told her, "It’s okay. There is a possibility. I suggested a method that could restore full dental function with only a minimal number of implants." Through 3D diagnostics, we made a plan and explained that full restoration on one side could be planned with four implants.

The beginning of a miraculous change that day

Most importantly, temporary prosthetics could be provided on the same day. "Doctor, is that really true? You mean I can have the procedure today and have teeth today?" For the first time, I saw a glimmer of hope in her eyes. "Yes, we expect that chewing function will be possible to some extent that day. Of course, you’ll need to eat carefully at first."

On the day of treatment, her family came together. I remember her husband waiting anxiously in the lobby the whole time. We placed the implants using 3D navigation technology, and the procedure was performed without incisions. Then, as promised, we fitted the temporary prosthetics that very day.

A sincere smile regained after several years

I think I will never forget her reaction when we showed her the mirror. "Doctor... is this really me?" she said, tearing up, and then she broke into a bright smile. It must have been the first genuine smile she had shown in years. Her family, waiting in the lobby, saw it and shed tears too.

The first month was a cautious period. It was a time of adjustment, eating mostly soft foods. But each time she came in for weekly progress checks, her expression had changed. "Doctor, I slept soundly last night. For the first time in years." I was reminded once again how precious it is to sleep without discomfort from one’s teeth.

It was the day, 30 days later, when the final prosthetics were fitted. The natural gum color made with pink porcelain and the zirconia teeth looked so natural they seemed as if they had always been hers. "Oh my, is this really my gum? It’s so beautiful!" she exclaimed while looking in the mirror.

Two months later, when she came to Etoile Apgujeong for a regular checkup, she seemed like a completely different person. She was wearing bright-colored clothes, had makeup on, and most of all, she walked in with a radiant smile. "Doctor, I’ve been so happy lately. I went to an amusement park with my grandchildren. I even had fried chicken!"

Her husband came with her and said this: "Doctor, my wife sings now, goes hiking with her friends, and is like a completely different person. I wish we had come earlier. Thank you so much." His heartfelt gratitude warmed my heart as well.

Another story of hope

There was another patient like this. A man in his early 70s was hesitating about treatment because he had diabetes. He asked cautiously, "They say it’s not possible if you have diabetes, right?" But his blood sugar was well controlled, and the CT results were also fine. "There is a possibility. Shall we do this together?" That’s how the treatment began, and now he reportedly tells everyone he meets on his morning walks all about it.

Age is just a number

There is something I want to tell you for sure. Age is just a number. Whether you are in your 60s or 70s, if your health allows it, you can start again at any time. If financial 부담 is a concern, installment payments are possible, and above all, this is a much more reasonable approach than doing everything individually.

The most important thing is the courage to overcome fear. Just like the main character in today’s story, it’s okay if you receive support from your family, and it’s okay if you gather your own courage alone. That first step can completely change your life.

Even now, she comes to Etoile Apgujeong every six months for regular checkups. Each time she visits, she shares new stories, and not long ago she showed me photos from a family trip. The sight of her smiling brightly in those photos was truly beautiful.

Because there is a 3-year free maintenance system, you don’t have to worry about unexpected problems. If you brush daily like you would with natural teeth and receive regular checkups, you can use them for a long time with proper care. In fact, since they can provide chewing function close to that of natural teeth, you can now eat the foods you want.

A message of hope for you

Finally, I want to say this to those of you reading this post. If you are hesitating now, please remember the story I shared today. She hesitated for years too, but the day she found the courage to act became the turning point in her life.

You also may have the possibility to smile again. For the day when you can eat comfortably with your family, laugh happily with friends, and smile while looking in the mirror, why not take a small step of courage today?

We look forward to your happy smile. If you have any questions, you can receive guidance through a consultation. At Etoile Apgujeong, we want to build hope together with you.

Previous image Next image

▲[Etoile Seoul Dental Clinic] We are providing treatment in a warm and clean environment.

▼ Etoile Seoul Dental Clinic YouTube ▼

Previous image Next image

Previous image Next image