How to Restore Chewing Force with Full-Mouth Implants

Director and Chief Dentist Lee Jang-wook

Hello.

This is Etoile Seoul Dental Clinic, always thinking about dental health.

Today, I’d like to share a story we often hear in the treatment room. Have you ever felt discomfort every time you chew, or found yourself unable to enjoy eating out because you’re worried your dentures might come loose?

I truly understand how upsetting it can be not to eat the foods you want at a meal with your family. If you have become interested in full-mouth implants, I hope this article will help those who are dealing with such concerns find some practical direction.

We take care of your dental health.

"All-on-Arch is a method that restores an entire jaw without any remaining teeth."

Full-mouth implants are a treatment that restores an entire upper or lower jaw with a fixed prosthesis using only 4 to 6 implant fixtures in an edentulous state, where all teeth in the upper or lower jaw are missing. While a standard implant places one implant for one missing tooth, this treatment supports an entire prosthesis with a small number of anchors.

It may be easier to understand it as similar to the principle of building a bridge, where a few pillars support the whole deck. This treatment is for people who have lost all of their teeth due to long-term denture use, periodontal disease, severe cavities, and similar causes. Since there are individual differences depending on the condition of the jawbone and overall health, a precise diagnosis must come first.

You do not need to give up just because there is not enough bone

Many people become frightened by the words "bone graft" and postpone treatment. However, by using 3D navigation technology, there are cases where implants can be placed at the proper angle and position even when there is insufficient jawbone, making it possible to proceed without bone grafting.

A precise diagnosis is made with 3D CT and an oral scanner, and then the surgery is performed after planning the placement position in advance through computer-simulated surgery, which helps improve accuracy. The treatment process is broadly divided into four steps. First is a precise diagnosis through consultation and CT imaging. Second is computer simulation surgery and prosthesis design. Third is implant placement and attachment of a temporary prosthesis. Fourth is insertion of the final prosthesis after the gums have healed.

A temporary prosthesis can be attached on the same day so you can return to daily life, and the final prosthesis may be completed in about 30 days depending on the healing condition of the gums.

Chewing force at 90%: that number changes everyday life

Dentures have chewing power at about 60 to 80% of natural teeth, but full-mouth implants are fixed prostheses, so you can expect positive changes in chewing function up to about 90% of natural teeth.

Because they do not move at all in the mouth, you do not have to worry about the prosthesis coming loose or shaking while eating, and your speech becomes much more natural. As for the prosthetic materials, pink porcelain is used to recreate the gums, and zirconia is used to recreate the teeth, giving an aesthetic finish similar to your own teeth. Even people with diabetes or high blood pressure can often receive treatment if their conditions are well controlled, so it is important to discuss your overall health condition thoroughly with the medical staff.

After implants are placed, what happens next is even more important

After treatment, you need the same care habits as with natural teeth. Proper daily brushing and flossing are essential, and it is best to carefully clean between the prosthesis and the gums using interdental brushes or a water flosser. We recommend checking the condition of the gums around the implants through regular examinations every six months, and also receiving regular scaling.

During the temporary prosthesis period, please avoid hard or chewy foods, and it is best to refrain from smoking because it may affect the healing of the tissues around the implants. If you continue this kind of care consistently, there are many cases where the implants can be used stably for a long time.

I still remember the day his eyes changed

When I meet people who come to the clinic, there are many cases where their expressions initially show worry and anxiety. Every time I hear the stories of people whose gums have receded significantly after years of wearing dentures and who have had difficulty chewing, or people whose daily vitality has decreased because they could not fully enjoy food at family gatherings, I am reminded that choosing full-mouth implants is not merely a dental treatment, but a way to regain the joy of eating and the confidence to smile.

The most rewarding moments in the treatment room are when I see patients’ expressions gradually brighten after consultation and as we work together to set the treatment direction.

Prepared information leads to the right choice

When I meet many patients in the treatment room, I often feel how long they have been worrying alone before deciding to proceed with treatment. It is unfortunate when treatment is delayed because of vague fear or incorrect information. Full-mouth implants are a treatment method that can affect quality of life through positive changes in chewing function.

What matters is getting an accurate diagnosis that matches your oral condition and health condition, and setting your direction based on reliable information. I hope this article has been a small help as your first step.

We always support your healthy smile.

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