If You’re Looking Into a Dental Implant at Gangnam-gu Office Station

Lee Jang-wook, Chief Director

Hello.

A place that does its best

for a healthy smile

This is Etoile Seoul Dental Clinic.

Today, I’d like to share the story of one patient who came to us after looking for a dental clinic near Gangnam-gu Office Station.

Mr. Kim Young-ho, 68, came into the treatment room holding his daughter’s hand tightly. I still remember that scene clearly. After struggling with dentures for more than 10 years, he had eventually begun avoiding even family gatherings. His story still leaves a heavy feeling in my heart. But the change he experienced was truly remarkable, which is why I wanted to share it today.

We take responsibility for your dental health.

Life lost because of dentures

As soon as he sat down in the treatment chair, he couldn’t speak for a while. His daughter spoke for him instead. “My father is having such a hard time because of his dentures. They keep coming loose every time he eats, and he’s so embarrassed that he doesn’t even want to come to family gatherings anymore.” When Mr. Kim heard that, I saw his eyes turn red. He quietly said, “When I eat with my grandchildren and the dentures become loose... I felt so sorry and ashamed that the children were looking at me. So these days I eat first by myself, and even on holidays I make excuses so I don’t have to go.”

Mr. Kim had been using dentures for 10 years. At first they were fine, but over time the jawbone kept resorbing, and the dentures no longer fit properly. He had remade them several times, but each time the cost was considerable, and in the end the same problem kept happening again. The hardest part for him was eating.

“I can’t even eat a slice of apple comfortably. I can’t even imagine eating short ribs. Sometimes my wife suggests we go to a barbecue restaurant she likes, but I keep making excuses... That really broke my heart.”

A hope that is possible without bone grafting

But Mr. Kim had an even bigger concern. He had been told elsewhere that because so much of his jawbone was missing, he would need a bone graft to get implants. Just hearing the words “bone graft” frightened him so much that he thought maybe he would have to live with dentures for the rest of his life. So I told him, “Sir, please don’t worry. There is a method that can work without bone grafting. It’s called a full-arch implant, and with only about 4 to 6 implants, it can restore the function of all your teeth.”

His expression gradually began to change. I explained using a 3D screen, telling him that by placing the implants at a special angle, we could make the best possible use of the bone that remained. I also told him that since he was over 65, he could receive National Health Insurance benefits. I explained that up to two implants are covered for life, and that some of the implants used in full-arch implant treatment may be covered by insurance. Then his daughter asked in surprise, “So that would reduce the financial burden a lot, right?” Yes, that’s right. Insurance coverage can greatly reduce the out-of-pocket cost. Among patients who come to the dental clinic near Gangnam-gu Office Station, there are many who are really surprised after learning this because they didn’t know about it.

A new life that began with same-day recovery

Mr. Kim asked cautiously, “Will the surgery take a long time? I’m older...” I smiled and answered, “Sir, about 2 to 3 hours is enough. And with a 3D navigation system, we can proceed with almost no incision. That means faster recovery and less pain. Plus, we can fit a temporary prosthesis on the same day, so you won’t have to go without teeth.”

We spent a long time in consultation that day. His daughter kept asking detailed questions, and Mr. Kim listened quietly. At the end, he said, “Doctor, I’ll do it. I want to eat with my grandchildren. I want to be able to go on holidays with confidence too.”

The surgery was performed three weeks later. When Mr. Kim arrived that morning, he looked very tense, but his eyes were different. The surgery took about 2 and a half hours as planned, and thanks to the 3D navigation system, we were able to place the implants in the exact positions. Because it was a flapless procedure, there was almost no swelling. We also fitted a temporary prosthesis that same day. When Mr. Kim looked in the mirror, he was amazed.

“Oh? I already have teeth?”

Yes, you can return to your daily life right away.

The joy of eating a slice of apple again, after 10 years

It was during his follow-up visit a week later. Mr. Kim smiled brightly and said, “Doctor, I ate an apple yesterday. It was my first time in 10 years.” His daughter also said beside him, “My father has changed completely lately. He smiles while looking in the mirror every day.” At that moment, I felt deeply moved too.

Thirty days later, we fitted the final prosthesis. It was a restoration that naturally recreated even the gum color with pink porcelain, and it looked truly natural, just like his own teeth. Mr. Kim couldn’t find the words when he looked in the mirror. After staring for a long time, he teared up and said, “Is this really my mouth?”

About three months later, Mr. Kim came in for a routine checkup, and he seemed like a completely different person. His face was full of vitality, and his voice was much brighter. “Doctor, I went to my grandson’s first-birthday party last week. I ate plenty of short ribs and took lots of pictures with the kids. My grandson said he likes it when Grandpa smiles.” As he showed me family photos on his phone, he looked truly happy.

The road to recovery made closer through insurance benefits

Among the people who come to the dental clinic near Gangnam-gu Office Station, there are many who struggle with dentures like Mr. Kim. Another patient was a 72-year-old woman who had diabetes and had given up on implants. But I told her that if her diabetes was well controlled, it would be fully possible, and after the surgery she was so satisfied that she keeps introducing her friends to us.

She also said the insurance benefits reduced the financial burden.

In fact, many people think of bone grafting when they hear “implants” and become afraid. But full-arch implants are often possible without bone grafting because they are placed at a special angle to make the best use of the remaining bone. With only about 4 to 6 implants, an entire jaw can be restored, saving both time and cost compared to placing many individual implants.

Especially for those over 65, up to two implants can be covered by National Health Insurance, so the actual out-of-pocket cost can be much lower.

Chewing power and confidence restored like natural teeth

What gives me the greatest sense of fulfillment in this work? It’s when I see patients like Mr. Kim regain the simple joys of daily life that they had long given up on. The moments when they can eat the foods they love without hesitation, share meals and laugh with their family, and smile confidently for photos.

Chewing power can be restored to about 90% of natural teeth, so most foods can be enjoyed freely. There’s no need to worry about the prosthesis slipping out like dentures, and because it doesn’t move at all inside the mouth, patients also gain confidence when speaking. Care is just like caring for natural teeth: brush well every day and come in for regular checkups every six months, and they can be used healthily for more than 10 years.

These days, Mr. Kim brings new stories every time he comes for a checkup. Last time, he told me he had gone on a trip with his wife. “Now that I can eat anything, traveling is fun. Before, I avoided trips because I worried about food.” When I see that bright expression of his, I feel truly glad that I chose this work.

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The change made by a courageous choice

Are you currently worrying about dentures?

Have you given up on implants because there is no jawbone? Are you hesitating because of age, or because of chronic conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure? If you are looking into a dental clinic near Gangnam-gu Office Station, why not receive a consultation?

If you are over 65, you may also receive insurance benefits, so the burden may be lighter than you think.

I still remember what Mr. Kim said when he held my hand tightly at his last checkup. “Doctor, every day feels grateful now. I feel happy just thinking about eating breakfast when I wake up in the morning. I feel at ease when I play with my grandchildren too. It’s all thanks to you.” No, sir. The biggest change began when you gathered the courage to come in.

Why not take that courage too? For the day when you can smile freely again, enjoy the foods you love, and spend happy time with your family. Like Mr. Kim, you can reach a moment of change. If you are thinking about a dental implant near Gangnam-gu Office Station, this very moment can be the beginning.

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