Sogok-dong Implant: If Only a Few Teeth Are Missing, What Kind of Treatment Should You Get?

Hello,

I’m Lim Jong-woo, the chief director of Gwanghwamun The Square Dental Clinic.

There is a question patients often ask in the treatment room.

"If I’ve lost a few molars, would partial dentures be better, or would it be better to get implants?"

On the surface, it may seem like a simple choice, but in reality, it is a matter that must take into account not only the condition of the gums and bone, but also the health of the neighboring teeth and the patient’s lifestyle.

Today, I’ll explain in detail the two representative options for when teeth are partially missing: partial dentures and multiple implants.

Partial dentures: are they really more cost-effective?

Partial dentures are used by hooking metal clasps onto the teeth on both sides of the missing tooth.

Many people initially think this way: "Wouldn’t this cost less than implants?" But when we actually consult with patients, that is not always the case.

● Advantages

○ Faster to make and relatively low initial cost

○ Can replace several teeth at once

● Disadvantages

○ Forces are transmitted to neighboring teeth, accelerating gum and bone resorption

○ Can place strain on the supporting teeth, which may shorten their lifespan

○ Uncomfortable to wear, and food can get stuck easily, making hygiene management difficult

It may seem inexpensive at first, but in many cases the supporting teeth also need crowns.

In addition, over the long term, neighboring teeth can weaken as well, leading to the need for additional treatment. Therefore, it is not accurate to say that "dentures are always cheaper."

Multiple implants: an easy way to understand them

Patients often ask in the treatment room, "What are multiple implants? Do you place an implant for every missing tooth?"

Multiple implants do not mean placing an implant for every single missing tooth.

Instead, implants are placed only where needed, like pillars, and several artificial teeth are connected above them with prosthetics to restore the missing area.

For example, if seven teeth are missing, we do not necessarily place seven implants.

We select only the positions where implants are truly needed to serve as tooth roots, place three to four implants, and connect artificial teeth on top.

To make it easier to understand, you can think of it as an upgraded version of bridge treatment.

Multiple implant procedure

1. Precise diagnosis

First, we take a CT scan and an oral scan to carefully check the condition of the bone and gums. This is the process of determining whether implants can be placed by examining the thickness and density of the bone.

2. Treatment plan

We simulate how many implants to place and where to position them. In simple terms, you can think of this as the process of first designing where to set the pillars when building a bridge.

3. Implant surgery

After local anesthesia, a small hole is made in the bone and the implant is placed.

4. Healing period

Time is needed for the implant to bond with the bone. If bone grafting was performed, it may take longer.

5. Prosthetic connection

Once the implant is firmly stabilized and the gums have recovered, the artificial tooth (crown) is attached.

"Doesn’t it hurt during the surgery?"

Because of the anesthesia, there is almost no pain, and there may be discomfort for a few days afterward, but it can be controlled with medication. If you are very afraid of pain, it is also a good idea to have the procedure done at a clinic that offers conscious sedation.

"Can I chew right away?"

Temporary prosthetics are used first, and the final prosthetics are connected after the healing period. Until the implant is firmly fixed in the jawbone, you need to be careful.

"How long does it take?"

It varies depending on the location and the condition of the bone. If the bone condition is good and it is a lower tooth, 2 to 3 months. For upper teeth, 3 to 6 months. If bone grafting is needed, it takes a little longer.

Category	Partial Denture	Multiple Implants
Maintenance	Must be removed and cleaned daily; hygiene is inconvenient	Managed with brushing and scaling like natural teeth
Effect on neighboring teeth	Clasps place force on the teeth, weakening them	Does not affect neighboring teeth
Lifespan	May be shortened depending on the condition of the supporting teeth	Can be used for more than 10 years with proper care
Convenience	Feels like a foreign object; discomfort with speech and chewing	Similar to natural teeth

There is no single right answer for every patient

Partial dentures have advantages in terms of initial cost and fabrication speed, but over the long term they can place strain on neighboring teeth and the gums.

Multiple implants provide function and aesthetics similar to natural teeth, but they involve surgery and cost burden.

There is no single correct answer. It is important to choose the best treatment by considering the patient’s bone condition, gum health, and lifestyle habits. If possible, I recommend visiting more than one dental clinic, getting consultations, and comparing options before deciding.

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Gwanghwamun The Square Dental Clinic Chief Director Lim Jong-woo