Implants in Nonhyeon-dong Dental Clinic: A Mother’s Happy Story of Change

Chief Director Lee Jang-wook

Hello.

A place that does its best

for a healthy smile

This is Etoile de Seoul Dental Clinic.

"A miracle brought by one YouTube video"

Today, I’d like to share the story of a family I recently met. Shall we step into this warm story of how a daughter’s small act of concern changed her mother’s life?

Last April, Ms. Lee Eun-young, in her mid-40s, visited us with her 71-year-old mother for a consultation about implants at a Nonhyeon-dong dental clinic. Ms. Lee said this: "Doctor, to be honest, even though I knew my mother had problems with her dentures, I kept putting it off because I was busy. Then I happened to watch a full-arch implant video on YouTube, and I felt like this was it. I hadn’t seen my mother eat properly for such a long time."

We take care of your dental health.

A smile taken away by 20 years of dentures

Ms. Lee’s mother, Ms. Park Jeong-ja, had been using dentures for more than 20 years. She often woke up with sore spots in her mouth because of the dentures, and she said she could not chew properly because the dentures moved every time she ate.

"Even when I looked at the braised short ribs my daughter made, I could only sip the broth and couldn’t eat the meat. I gave the rice cakes my daughter-in-law brought to the grandchildren and just watched them. If the dentures moved while I was chewing, it was embarrassing. During holidays, when the whole family gathered to eat, I would leave first, go to the bathroom, take out the dentures, rinse them... That was the hardest part."

Ms. Lee said it broke her heart to see her mother speak less and less at family gatherings and hesitate in front of food. "Every time my mother said, ‘I’m fine, I’m full,’ I knew what that really meant. She wanted to eat, but she couldn’t. And yet I didn’t know what to do for her, so I just let it pass."

Hope revealed by a YouTube video, and insurance coverage too

Then, after work one day, Ms. Lee watched a video about full-arch implants on YouTube. "It said that full teeth could be restored with only about 4 to 6 implants. I was surprised to hear that temporary prosthetics could be placed on the day of surgery, allowing you to eat from that same day. More than anything, I also learned that people aged 65 and older could receive health insurance coverage."

The very next day, she told her mother, and they visited together. During the implant consultation at the Nonhyeon-dong dental clinic, we performed a CT scan and 3D diagnosis, and Ms. Park Jeong-ja was found to have a significant lack of jawbone. However, using 3D navigation technology, we analyzed the remaining bone positions and set a plan to restore the entire upper jaw with just 4 implants.

"Doctor, will my mother really be able to chew food again? And how does the insurance coverage work?" I still remember the worried tone in Ms. Lee’s voice.

"Yes, those aged 65 and older can receive health insurance coverage for up to two implants in their lifetime. Considering your mother’s age and oral condition, we believe the full-arch approach is appropriate. Let’s work together to create a good result," I told her.

The daughter’s tears and the mother’s smile on the day of surgery On the day of surgery, Ms. Lee came with her younger brother and her husband as well. I could see the worried expressions on the faces of the family waiting outside the operating room.

About two and a half hours later, when we fitted the temporary prosthetics, Ms. Park Jeong-ja smiled brightly for the first time. She said, "Is this really in my mouth? It’s not moving! This is the first time in 20 years!"

Ms. Lee shed tears on the spot. "Doctor, it’s been such a long time since I’ve seen my mother smile like this. I should have looked into this sooner... I’m sorry I brought her in so late."

The joy of being able to eat kimchi stew

On the fifth day after surgery, we received a call from Ms. Lee. "Doctor! My mother had kimchi stew for dinner last night! She chewed the kimchi, ate the tofu... I cried while eating my meal. When my mother said, ‘It’s delicious, so this is what kimchi stew tastes like,’ I felt my heart swell."

At the checkup a week later, her expression was much brighter. "Doctor, a few days ago my grandchildren came over, and we ordered fried chicken. I ate fried chicken in front of my grandchildren! My 8-year-old grandson kept asking, ‘Grandma, is it tasty?’ and encouraging me to eat more. You can’t imagine how happy that made me. My grandson said, ‘Grandma, did you get new teeth?’"

Two weeks later, she shared an even more surprising story. "Doctor, yesterday I made plans to go to Jeju with my friends. They said we should go eat black pork. For 20 years, even when my friends suggested trips, I always made excuses and didn’t go. Now that I can eat anything, I feel confident."

The family’s moving reaction on the day the prosthetics were fitted On the day the prosthetics were fitted, the family came together again. They were truly amazed to see the gum line carefully recreated with pink porcelain and the natural-looking teeth made of zirconia.

"Is this my gum line? Are these my teeth? Looking in the mirror, I couldn’t even recognize my own face. It feels like I’ve found the smile I lost in my 50s."

Holding her mother’s hand tightly, Ms. Lee said, "Mom, now you can eat anything. Let’s go eat lots of delicious things together," and her eyes grew red.

Her younger brother also said happily, "I’m really glad my sister immediately looked into it after watching the YouTube video. These days, Mother says she wakes up with an appetite every morning. She eats well no matter what we make, so it makes cooking feel rewarding for us too."

Things to know when considering dental restoration

Through stories like these, I realized something. People who come to a Nonhyeon-dong dental clinic for implants are not simply looking for teeth. They want to sit at the table with their family and eat, smile confidently in front of their grandchildren, and travel with friends while sharing good food.

Even when jawbone is lacking, a method using 3D navigation technology and digital techniques can help restore full dental function with 4 to 6 implants depending on each person’s oral condition. Temporary prosthetics are placed on the day of surgery, and the timing of returning to daily life may vary depending on each person’s recovery. Depending on the individual situation, the prosthetics may typically take about 30 days.

Those aged 65 and older can receive health insurance coverage for up to two implants in their lifetime, which can help reduce the financial burden of implant treatment at a Nonhyeon-dong dental clinic. Even if you have diabetes or high blood pressure, if the condition is well controlled, suitability can be reviewed through a consultation with the medical staff in charge. Even if you are older, that is okay.

It is actually a suitable option for those who find it difficult to visit the clinic multiple times.

Ms. Park Jeong-ja’s happy update, and Ms. Lee’s gratitude These days, whenever Ms. Park Jeong-ja comes in for her monthly checkup, she shows photos of her grandchildren. "Doctor, last weekend the whole family gathered for a pork belly party. I ate lettuce wraps and even rice mixed into soybean paste stew. My grandchildren kept grilling more meat for me and saying, ‘Grandma, eat a lot,’ and you can’t imagine how happy that made me. It’s happiness I couldn’t feel for 20 years."

Ms. Lee also comes with her every time for the regular checkups. "Doctor, the day I watched that YouTube video was truly a lucky break. My mother now watches cooking programs and says, ‘I want to try that.’ Before, she would just watch. Now I’m so happy that I can make it for her."

When considering restoring dental function, you may also want to think not only about function itself but also about improving daily quality of life. The day you can sit at the table with your family, share food, travel with friends, and smile with the people you love may also hold the possibility of positive change for you. If you are considering implants at a Nonhyeon-dong dental clinic, you may be able to regain a healthy smile along with insurance benefits.

Do not give up hope.

We support your bright smile.

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