Reporter Shin Chang-ho / Article Approval: 2024-12-09 17:35:04

[Medical Today = Reporter Shin Chang-ho] Teeth not only play a role in chewing food, but also play a very important role in pronunciation, expression, and aesthetics. However, if you lose your teeth for various reasons, it will have a great impact on your quality of life as well as your health. In particular, if the toothless condition persists for a long time, the bone density of the jawbone may decrease, which may deform the facial contour, and the risk of deformity of the oral structure increases as the surrounding teeth become twisted. Implant therapy is drawing attention as a way to solve these problems and restore functions and aesthetics similar to natural teeth. 

Implants are a treatment in which artificial root is implanted in the jawbone to replace lost teeth and a dental prosthesis is combined on top of it. Artificial root is made of bio-friendly materials such as titanium and fused well with the body, providing almost the same strength and function as natural teeth. The implant treatment process is largely divided into three stages, the first is the implantation stage, which is the process of inserting artificial root into the jawbone, and the second is the healing period in which the implant and jawbone are combined for about 3-6 months. Finally, the third step is to connect and complete tooth-shaped prosthetics.

Through this process, the implant provides strength and function close to natural teeth, and unlike dentures and bridges, it can restore tooth function independently without affecting surrounding teeth. Implants have great economic advantages because they can be used semi-permanently with proper management. Above all, the big feature is that it can keep the oral structure stable by preventing the degeneration of the jawbone.

▲ Director Park Hyun-min (photo = courtesy of Lucid Dental Clinic)

Implants can be said to be an appropriate treatment method, especially in situations where the chewing function is deteriorated due to tooth loss or affects the surrounding teeth. Implants can be a good solution if dentures or bridges are uncomfortable, or if jawbone degeneration is in progress due to tooth loss. These treatments are effective if you want to maintain the health of your jawbone and manage your oral health in the long term, if you have difficulty chewing food after losing your teeth, if your dentures or bridges are uncomfortable or don't fit well, if you want to restore close to your natural teeth for aesthetic reasons. 

Precise diagnosis and evaluation are essential in that the treatment of restoring teeth is a process of reviving the overall health of the oral cavity. Therefore, before implant treatment, it is important for experienced medical staff to comprehensively analyze the patient's oral condition, jawbone density, and health condition to establish the most appropriate treatment plan.

Park Hyun-min, CEO of Lucid Dental Clinic in Seoul, said, "Implants are not just treatments to fill teeth, but long-term treatments that maintain the health of teeth and jaw bones and oral structure. It is important to choose a hospital with precise diagnostic equipment and skilled medical staff to receive safe and successful treatment."

Medical Today reporter Shin Chang-ho (ssangdae98@mdtoday.co.kr )