Are You Curious About How Full Arch Implant Dentures Have Changed?

Chief Director Lee Jang-wook

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This is Etoile de Seoul Dental Clinic.

"A Change That Started With One YouTube Video"

Today, I’d like to share the story of a family I met last May. I want to share with you the moving journey of how a son’s small interest changed his father’s life.

Mr. Kim Tae-hyeon, in his late 30s, came to the clinic with his 68-year-old father for a consultation about full arch implant dentures. At our first meeting, Tae-hyeon said this: "Doctor, after work I was watching YouTube and happened to see a video about full arch implants. I knew my father was struggling because of his dentures, but I didn’t know what I should do for him. After watching the video, I immediately told my father, ‘Dad, how about we come in for a consultation?’"

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The Confidence That 18 Years of Dentures Took Away From His Father

Mr. Kim Byung-soo, Tae-hyeon’s father, had worn dentures for 18 years. At first, they were fine, but over time the jawbone continued to resorb and the dentures became increasingly loose.

"Son, to be honest, eating has been the hardest thing lately. The dentures keep moving, so I can’t chew. A few days ago, while eating ribs at a restaurant, my dentures fell out... Since then, I’ve been scared to eat outside the house. Even when my grandchildren ask me to go out to eat with them, I keep making excuses."

Tae-hyeon said it broke his heart to see his father speaking less and less and avoiding going out. "My father also started seeing his friends less and wanted to stay at home, so the whole family was worried. Even when he smiled, he always covered his mouth with his hand."

A New Possibility Revealed by YouTube

Then, while resting at home after work, Tae-hyeon saw a recommended YouTube video about full arch implants. "It explained that it’s possible to restore a full set of teeth with just 4 to 6 implants. I was surprised to hear that a temporary prosthesis could be attached on the day of surgery so that the patient could eat starting that same day. Most importantly, it also said that people aged 65 and older could receive insurance coverage."

The very next morning, he told his father right away, and they came to the clinic together. CT imaging and 3D diagnostics showed that Mr. Kim Byung-soo had very little jawbone remaining. However, using 3D navigation technology, we analyzed the location of the remaining bone and established a plan to restore the entire lower jaw with just 5 implants.

"Doctor, will my father really be able to chew properly again?" There was concern in Tae-hyeon’s voice.

"Yes. Unlike ordinary dentures, the full arch implant denture method secures the implants firmly into the bone and then connects the prosthesis on top of them. It does not move at all in the mouth, and its chewing force is about 90% of that of natural teeth. For people aged 65 and older, insurance coverage can be applied to up to two implants for life, so we can also reduce the financial burden," I explained.

On the Day of Surgery, a Smile Regained After 18 Years

On the day of surgery, Tae-hyeon came with his wife and his older sister. I could see the tense expressions on the family members waiting outside the operating room.

After about two and a half hours, when we attached the temporary prosthesis, Mr. Kim Byung-soo carefully closed his mouth and his eyes widened. "Wait, this... it doesn’t move? It really doesn’t move! It’s my first time in 18 years!" His eyes grew moist as he said it.

Tae-hyeon held his father’s hand tightly right there. "Dad, now you can eat anything. I’ll buy you lots of delicious food." His sister also wiped away tears beside him and said, "Dad, now you can go out to eat with your grandchildren and meet your friends as much as you want."

The Joy of Being Able to Eat Jajangmyeon

A week after the surgery, Tae-hyeon called me. "Doctor! Yesterday evening, my father ate jajangmyeon! He chewed the noodles and even ate the pickled radish... When he said, ‘So this is what jajangmyeon tastes like,’ I got emotional too. He had barely been able to eat noodle dishes for 18 years."

At the checkup two weeks later, his expression was much brighter. "Doctor, my grandchildren came over last weekend, and we ordered fried chicken. I ate fried chicken in front of my grandchildren! My 9-year-old granddaughter asked, ‘Grandpa, why are you smiling so much today?’ Hearing that almost made me cry."

Three weeks later, he shared an even more surprising story. "Doctor, I went to my high school reunion yesterday. I ate meat with my friends at a samgyeopsal restaurant and even had a glass of makgeolli. For 18 years, I always made excuses and didn’t go to reunions. Now I can go out with confidence."

The Family’s Joy on the Day the Prosthesis Was Fitted

On the day the prosthesis was fitted, all the family members came together. They were all amazed to see the gum line finely recreated with pink porcelain and the natural-looking teeth made of zirconia.

"Is this my gum line? It really looks as natural as my own teeth. Looking in the mirror, I couldn’t even recognize my own face. It feels like I’ve regained how I looked in my 50s."

Tae-hyeon happily said, "Dad, now do whatever you want to do. Go traveling, meet your friends often, and so on."

His sister also smiled brightly and said, "I’m so glad my older brother found out right away after watching the YouTube video. These days, Dad says he has a good appetite every morning. No matter what I make, he eats it happily, so it feels rewarding to cook for him."

Information That May Be Helpful to Know

Through experiences like these, I realized something. People who look for full arch implant dentures do not simply want teeth. They want to sit around the table with their family and share the same meal, meet friends comfortably, and smile confidently in front of their grandchildren.

Ordinary dentures rest on top of the gums, so their chewing force is about 60 to 80% of that of natural teeth, and they continue to become loose over time. By contrast, the full arch implant denture method firmly secures 4 to 6 implants into the jawbone and then connects the prosthesis on top of them. It does not move at all in the mouth, and its chewing force is about 90% of that of natural teeth.

A temporary prosthesis is attached 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 prosthesis may normally take about 30 days.

People aged 65 and older can receive insurance coverage for up to two implants for life, which can reduce the financial burden. 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. In fact, this method is suitable for those who find it difficult to visit multiple times.

Mr. Kim Byung-soo’s Happy Daily Life

These days, Mr. Kim Byung-soo shares a new story every time he comes in for his monthly checkup. "Doctor, last weekend I went hiking with my family. Eating gimbap at the summit and talking with my grandchildren was so happy. I hadn’t felt this kind of happiness for 18 years."

Tae-hyeon also comes with him to every regular checkup. "Doctor, watching that YouTube video that day was really a stroke of luck. My father even started playing golf again these days. After rounds with his friends, he says he can now eat with confidence. I’m truly glad there was something I could do for him."

When considering restoring dental function, you may also want to think beyond simple functional recovery and consider improving your quality of life in daily living. The day you can share delicious food with your family, travel with friends, and smile comfortably in front of the people you love may also bring positive change for you.

If you are considering full arch implant dentures, you may be able to regain a healthy smile along with insurance benefits. Don’t give up hope. We support your bright smile.

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