Are you curious about how things change after All-on-X implants?

Representative Director Lee Jang-wook

Hello.

A place that does its best

for a healthy smile

Etoile de Seoul Dental Clinic.

Some people face many difficulties in daily life after losing several teeth. There are many who feel unsure about how to recover. I fully understand those worries and feelings.

But please do not worry. Through today’s post, I would like to share information that can be of practical help.

We take care of your dental health.

When you have lost most of your teeth

Options you can choose

All-on-X implants are one way to restore an entire upper or lower arch.

In the past, if you lost several teeth, you either had to get dentures or place implants for each tooth one by one. However, this approach took a great deal of time and money, much like building a house room by room. For people with insufficient jawbone, there was also the added burden of bone grafting, which made it even harder.

All-on-X implants can be considered an alternative to these difficulties.

To restore an entire jaw, only about 4 to 6 implants are used. You can think of it as similar to supporting a bridge with just a few strong piers rather than placing pillars across an entire river. When a prosthesis connected as one piece is placed on these implants, you can expect functions similar to your natural teeth.

A feature of this method is that it can also be considered for people who do not have much jawbone left. Because the implants are placed by finding areas with more remaining bone and adjusting the angles, in some cases the bone grafting process can be reduced. This means that even people who have worn dentures for a long time and have experienced significant jawbone resorption may still have a possibility to consider.

How does the process work?

When you first visit, we carefully examine the condition inside the mouth. Through 3D imaging, we thoroughly check the height and thickness of the jawbone, as well as the location of the nerves. Then we plan the procedure in advance using a computer simulation. Just like an architect drawing up a blueprint, we create a plan for where and at what angle the implants will be placed. With this preparation, the actual procedure can be carried out more precisely.

On the day of the procedure, the implants are placed at the planned positions, and a temporary prosthesis is immediately attached on top. That means from the same day you receive the All-on-X implant procedure, you can wear a temporary prosthesis and return to daily life. Of course, because it is a temporary prosthesis, you should avoid hard or chewy foods, but being able to return to daily life right away is a major advantage.

The procedure takes about 2 to 3 hours, and if a 3D navigation system is used, it may be possible to reduce the recovery period because a large incision in the gums is not necessary.

After that, the gums heal and the implants go through the period of firm integration with the jawbone. Usually after about a month, the temporary prosthesis is removed and replaced with a prosthesis made of zirconia, a strong and natural-looking material. At that time, pink porcelain material is used to delicately recreate the shape of the gums, so that to others it looks just as natural as your original teeth.

How is it managed afterward?

Just because the procedure is over does not mean everything is finished. In fact, that is when the important part begins. All-on-X implants also need to be brushed carefully every day, just like natural teeth. In particular, food debris can easily get trapped at the boundary where the prosthesis meets the gums, so please pay close attention when brushing. You may also want to consider using dental floss or interdental brushes.

And we recommend coming in for a checkup once every 6 months. We can check whether the gums around the implants are healthy, whether the prosthesis is being maintained properly, and provide scaling if needed. With proper care, long-term maintenance may be possible. Smoking is not good for gum health, so it is better to avoid it if possible, and it is also best to avoid forcing yourself to chew very hard foods.

Let me share one patient’s story

Recently, a patient came to see me. He had worn lower-jaw dentures for a long time, but every time he ate, the dentures would lift and food would get underneath them, and it hurt when he chewed, so he could not eat properly. Even when going out to eat with family, he felt self-conscious in front of others and could not eat comfortably. When speaking, the dentures would move and he kept mumbling, so talking with people became increasingly frightening, he said.

At first, he was very worried. Because of his age and the fact that there was not much jawbone left, he was anxious about whether it would really be possible. But after confirming the possibility through a detailed examination, we proceeded with the treatment. I still remember the way he looked at himself in the mirror and smiled cautiously when the temporary prosthesis was placed on the day of the procedure.

When he returned a month later to replace the prosthesis, his expression had changed completely. He smiled brightly and said that eating had become comfortable and that he felt more confident when speaking. Hearing him say that he had enjoyed eating meat comfortably at a family meal and that meeting people was now enjoyable was very rewarding for me as well.

Answers to your questions

Many people ask whether it is possible even at an older age. Age itself is not a major issue. In fact, this can be considered for people who find it difficult to come in for multiple visits or who want to restore their teeth all at once. However, overall health status is important, so if you have conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, it is necessary to check whether they are well controlled. If you are taking your medication consistently and managing your health well, it may be possible to determine whether the procedure can be performed.

Many people also ask about the cost. It is more economical than placing each tooth one by one. The exact cost varies depending on the condition inside the mouth and the materials used, so the most accurate way is to confirm it through a direct consultation. Some people also worry about pain after the procedure. If the treatment is performed in a way that does not require a large incision in the gums, pain may be reduced, and in general it can be managed with painkillers, though there may be individual differences.

A final message

After losing teeth, you do not simply lose the ability to chew. You stop smiling in front of people, feel withdrawn when talking, and give up foods you used to enjoy. It is truly unfortunate to see the small joys of daily life disappear little by little like that.

But please do not lose hope. Even if not much jawbone remains, even if you are older, and even if you have struggled with dentures for a long time, there are ways to recover again. What matters most is accurately understanding your condition and finding the method that suits you best. All-on-X implants can also be considered one of those options.

Until the day you regain your healthy smile, I will be cheering you on as well. Wishing you a good day today.

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