“I want to get dental implants instead of uncomfortable dentures,” or “I’m worried they’re too expensive and painful.” If you’re reading this, chances are you’re either uncomfortable with your current dentures, or they’re bothering you every time you eat, so we’re here to give you an overview of the limitations of dentures, whether digital full-arch implants are an alternative, and how much they cost.
The discomfort of dentures, why repeat it?
The most common discomfort reported by denture wearers is similar. They rattle when you eat, bother you when you speak, and get looser and looser over time. This discomfort stems from structural limitations, not care.
Dentures are ‘on top’ of the gums, but the shape of the gums is constantly changing, so even if the dentures are made to fit the gums perfectly at the beginning, they will not fit after 2-3 years. Even if you use adhesive, they fall off after eating. This recurring discomfort naturally leads people to consider dental implants. However, dental implants can be expensive and painful, so we recommend digital full arch implants as an alternative.
What is a digital full arch implant?
Full-arch dental implants are a fixed treatment alternative to dentures if you‘ve lost all of your teeth, or if all of your teeth have been severely shaken and have lost their function. While traditional methods require at least 20 implants to be placed to restore a full set of teeth, the full-arch method requires only four to six implants each in the upper and lower jaw, which are then cemented together to form a full prosthesis.
This approach has been recognized as an appropriate treatment, especially for older adults and patients with chronic conditions, because of the following advantages
- You can significantly reduce your cost burden and
- The procedure takes less time and
- Fewer plants means less pain.
Digital full-arch implants are the latest treatment modality to make this process more precise and safer.
Digital full-arch implants, are they safe?
But no matter how tempting the cost of this procedure may be, you may be worried about whether it’s safe. With more than 300,000 people worldwide already having undergone the procedure, you don’t have to worry about safety.
Benefits of a digital full arch
In the past, treating edentulism, the absence of all teeth, was done in an analog way, with the dentist placing the implant by eye and relying on the sensation of the hand. However, digital implantsystems have been introduced that utilize oral scanners , 3D CT , X-rays, and digital surgical guidance (navigation) to precisely analyze the patient’s oral structure and place the implant in the optimal position and angle. The benefits of using this system include the following
| Digital full arch advantages | Description. |
|---|---|
| Enables incisionless surgery | Less pain and bleeding due to no gum incisions |
| Reduce procedure time | Average procedure time within 1 to 2 hours |
| Can be treated without bone grafting | Precise placement in healthy bone locations |
| Precise angle-position | Increase the lifespan of your prosthesis by minimizing the margin of error |
| Reduce recovery time | Less bleeding and swelling for faster recovery |
Digitally reducing surgical burden
Another advantage of digital full arch dental implants is that the surgical process is relatively sophisticated and straightforward. Of course, because it’s an implant, you don’t have to worry about bleeding, swelling, or side effects, but because we use an intraoral scanner to take an impression of your teeth, create precise surgical guides that fit your gums, and then place the implant accordingly, we can reduce unnecessary errors. This way, the surgery can often be completed in less than an hour.
Are full arch prostheses unbreakable?
Digital full-arch dental implants connect multiple implants to restore a full set of teeth with a single prosthesis, which is why one of the most common questions we hear from patients is, “If the prosthesis is made from one piece, won’t it be weak or fragile?”
The bottom line is, don’t worry. At Blanche Dental Clinic, we use a very strongmaterial called “zirconia” to make your restorations. Zirconia is stronger and more durable than ordinary metals, making it very unlikely to fractureunder normal daily conditionsof chewing hard foods with your teeth.
Zirconia is also known to be a highly aestheticmaterial with virtually no discoloration, so it looks like natural teeth and lasts longer. In other words, it’s a high-end prosthetic material that is both functional and aesthetic, and it’s unlikely to break during daily use unless there’s an accident.
Digital full arch implant prices and costs
Some of you may be worried that the price is too expensive, but it is about 1/2 the cost of a traditional full dental implant. It’s hard to say exactly how much it costs because it varies from dentist to dentist, but it’s usually priced between 10,000 and 15,000 won. It’s a treatment with a lot of advantages, but it’s a difficult surgery with a high degree of difficulty, so the price is a bit high.
Reasons for price differences
The price difference between full-arch dental implants is less about the number of implants and more about what materials are used and how the treatment is designed. The strength and length of the implants used, the angle at which they are placed, the surgical approach to the condition of your gums, and the material and bonding structure of the prosthesis that goes on top of them all vary.
The prosthetic design and the experience of the surgeon are highly influential, especially since the full arch must withstand the entire chewing force with a small number of implants. In the end, the price difference is not a matter of “how cheaply it can be done,” but how long and reliably it is planned to be used in a single surgery.
A good pulley arch is more about ‘quality and sustainability’ than ‘price’
In order for your full arch to last, it’s important to find a dentist with an honest practice philosophy that doesn’t bait and switch patients. The reason we are able to offer affordable full arch treatment comes from personal experience and family memories.
My grandfather wore dentures for most of his life, and every time I see a patient, I think about how great it would have been if there was a treatment called “full arch implants” back then, so I decided to make this treatment more affordable for people who are hesitant for various reasons, including financial burden and psychological distance.
Successful Digital Full Arch Implant Case (Review)
You may also be curious to see examples of digital full arch implants, and we’d like to share two real-life cases we’ve treated.
Digital full arch implant after full upper tooth crown extraction
This patient had a full crown bridge on her upper teeth, but severe periodontitis had caused the alveolar bone to dissolve and the bridge was shifting and no longer stable. The remaining lower tooth also had severe periodontitis and was very wobbly, requiring extraction.
During the consultation, we carefully reviewed whether it would be beneficial for her to keep her existing crowns, and for long-term stability, we decided to remove both the upper and lower bridgesand redesign the entire structure with digital full-arch implants.
After treatment, she regained almost 100% of the masticatory power she had in her younger years when her teeth were healthy, and her gum discomfort was greatly reduced. Most importantly, she is now able to eat comfortably without worrying about her crown shifting or falling out.
Digital full arch implant case of a patient with missing upper teeth
This patient was missing all of his upper teethand had been wearing dentures for many years, causing him discomfort with eating and articulation. His dentures didn’t fit well, which made chewing difficult, and his smile didn’t feel natural.
We restored his teeth with digital full-arch implantsthat restore his entire upper archas a single structure, and after the treatment, he found eating much easier and his speech stabilized. Best of all, he has a fixed tooth that doesn’t move around like dentures, greatly reducing his daily discomfort.
If you’re tired of wearing dentures or can’t remember the last time you ate a proper meal, it may be time to consider digital full arch implants.
My message to patients
I believe that dental implants are not a short-term treatment, but a treatment that should last at least 20 years. Last year, I was reminded of this when I saw my uncle’s less than five-year-old dental implants. He had the procedure done by a reputable dentist, but he was uncomfortable chewing and the prosthesis had already cracked in several places.
It reminded me that implants are more about how well they are cared for and how long they last than how wellthey are placed, so I decided that I wanted to make sure that I was doing something that would stand the test of time, not something that wouldjust be placed and then be done.
Digital full-arch implants aren’t for everyone, but it can be helpful to take a moment to see if they’re a viable option for your dental condition and which approach might be better for you. Rather than rushing into treatment, it’s important to take stock of what options are most realistic for you in your current condition.
Digital full arch implant, please find Blanche
Today, we’ve outlined the price and treatment of digital full-arch dental implants, and we hope that if you’re considering dentures or dental issues, this will give you a better idea of what to expect. We can’t wait to get you back to eating comfortably and enjoying the pleasures of food in your life as soon as possible. I’ve also attached a video that explains full arch implants in great detail, which I hope you find helpful.
If you haven’t found a good dentist yet, feel free to visit us at any time. We’re happy to take care of you, but due to the large number of people visiting us from all over the country, you may experience a long wait time if you walk in without an appointment. If you’re considering a visit, we’d love to set up a consultation appointment with you to get a feel for our schedule.