Many patients who ask about full-arch dental implants in Korea describe the same two problems: an upper denture that keeps loosening, and lower teeth that have become too mobile to chew on. That was exactly the situation in this case at Hana Dental Clinic in Changwon.
The short answer: When an arch can no longer be restored tooth by tooth, a full-arch implant bridge (often called All-on-4 or All-on-X) can replace the whole arch with a fixed restoration supported by several implants. In this case six implants were placed in the upper jaw and six in the lower jaw, bone grafting was performed at the same time, a fixed provisional bridge avoided any period without teeth, and the final zirconia bridges were completed in roughly four to six months.
All photographs are of an actual case treated at Hana Dental Clinic and are published with the patient’s consent. Outcomes vary according to each patient’s oral condition.
Why a fixed bridge rather than a denture
A removable denture rests on the gums. Chewing force is transmitted to soft tissue rather than to bone, so biting efficiency is limited, and as the jawbone continues to resorb the denture gradually loosens. Implants are anchored in the bone itself. When several implants are splinted together with a single bridge, the result is a set of teeth that stays in the mouth — nothing is removed for cleaning at night.
Full-arch treatment is usually discussed when:
- a denture has become loose, painful or unreliable for eating;
- most remaining teeth are mobile because of advanced periodontal disease;
- individual teeth keep failing one after another despite repeated treatment; or
- a patient has been told that there is not enough bone for conventional implants.
It is not the right answer for everyone. If teeth can still be saved, saving them comes first.
How the treatment was carried out
1. Diagnosis and implant planning
In full-arch treatment, planning matters more than the surgery itself. A panoramic radiograph and CT scan are used to assess the volume, position and quality of the remaining bone and to identify structures that must be avoided, such as the maxillary sinus and the inferior alveolar nerve. The position of the final teeth is decided first, and the implant positions are then worked backwards from that design. Here, six implants per arch were planned with left-right balance.
2. Extraction of the lower teeth with immediate implant placement and bone grafting
The remaining lower teeth had lost too much supporting bone to be maintained. They were extracted and implants were placed on the same day, with bone grafting performed in the extraction sites and in areas where the ridge was deficient. Placing implants immediately reduces the bone resorption that follows extraction and spares the patient a period without teeth. It is only possible when adequate primary stability can be achieved, which is why careful pre-operative assessment and intra-operative judgement are essential.
3. A fixed provisional bridge
A fixed provisional bridge was attached to the implants, so the patient was never without teeth during healing. Just as importantly, the provisional acts as a rehearsal: speech, chewing and the position of the teeth within the lips can be assessed and refined before the final restoration is made.
4. Final zirconia full-arch bridges
Once osseointegration was confirmed, both arches were restored with zirconia full-arch bridges. This stage was carried out by Dr. Sunghwan Park, a prosthodontic specialist with forty years of clinical experience. Because both arches are rebuilt at the same time, the priority is not the shape of any single tooth but a vertical dimension and jaw position that the muscles and joints tolerate comfortably. Tooth length, the midline and the smile line were then adjusted to the patient’s face.
Planning a trip: how many days in Korea?
Full-arch treatment cannot be completed in a single short visit, but it can usually be organised around two stays.
- First stay — approximately 7 to 10 days. Examination and CT, extraction, implant placement with bone grafting, delivery of the fixed provisional bridge and a post-operative review before departure.
- Healing period — about 3 to 5 months at home with the fixed provisional in place.
- Second stay — approximately 10 to 14 days. Impressions, try-in appointments and delivery of the final zirconia bridges, with time allowed for adjustment of the bite.
The overall timeline in this case was roughly four to six months from the first examination to the final restoration. Individual schedules depend on bone condition, the extent of infection and how the healing progresses, so the plan is confirmed only after a clinical examination. Records taken by your own dentist — a panoramic X-ray or CT and clinical photographs — allow us to give a realistic outline before you travel.
Surgery and prosthetics under one roof
A full-arch case is never decided by the surgery alone. Implants placed without a prosthetic plan cannot support teeth in the right position, and a restoration delivered without balanced occlusion places excessive load on the implants. At Hana Dental Clinic the surgical phase is performed by Dr. Hosan Park, who completed his periodontal residency at Columbia University in New York and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, while the final prosthetics and occlusion are handled by Dr. Sunghwan Park, a prosthodontic specialist. Diagnosis, surgery, the final restoration and long-term maintenance all take place in the same clinic — a family practice that has treated patients at the same address in Changwon since 1987.
Maintenance after full-arch implants
Implants do not decay, but they can develop gum disease around them (peri-implantitis). A full-arch bridge is harder to clean than natural teeth, particularly beneath the bridge, so cleaning technique and regular professional review largely determine how long the restoration lasts. Patients are shown how to use interdental brushes and a water flosser around their specific bridge design, and the surrounding tissues and bone are checked at recall appointments.
Frequently asked questions
How long does full-arch implant treatment take?
In this case, about four to six months from the first examination to delivery of the final bridges. Because extraction, implant placement and a fixed provisional were completed on the same day, the patient was never without teeth. Timelines vary with bone quality and the degree of infection.
Can implants be placed if I have no teeth or have been told I lack bone?
Often, yes. Bone grafting can be performed at the time of surgery, and implants can be angled to make use of the bone that remains. Bone grafting was carried out in this case. Suitability is determined from a CT scan.
How many implants are needed?
It depends on the jaw, the bite force and the prosthetic design. Six implants were placed in each jaw here, twelve in total. More implants are not automatically better; what matters is distributing the load through well-chosen positions.
Can I eat immediately after surgery?
With a fixed provisional bridge you leave the clinic with teeth and can return to daily life, but a soft diet is required while the implants integrate. If primary stability is insufficient, the provisional stage is adjusted accordingly.
Is the treatment carried out in English?
Yes. Dr. Hosan Park trained and practised in the United States and consults with international patients in English, from the first examination through to maintenance.
Considering full-arch implants in Korea?
If chewing has become difficult, the amount of bone you still have determines how many options remain — and bone continues to resorb over time. Sending your existing X-rays and photographs allows us to outline a realistic plan and schedule before you travel.
- Hana Dental Clinic, 2F Sangnam Officetel, 648 Woni-daero, Seongsan-gu, Changwon, Korea
- Phone: +82-55-266-2833
- WhatsApp consultation in English
- Dental implants at Hana Dental Clinic
- Gum grafting and periodontal care
- View treatment cases
- Plan your visit to Changwon
Medical notice: This article provides general information based on an actual clinical case. Treatment options, timelines and outcomes vary according to each patient’s bone, gums and bite. Swelling, temporary discomfort, altered sensation, implant failure, fracture or loosening of a restoration, and the need for additional procedures may occur. A clinical examination and informed consultation are required before treatment.