Full-arch implants in Jeju: treating the lower and upper jaws in stages

The patient had lost many teeth and was finding meals and everyday life difficult. The first visit in 2023 was for a denture consultation.

Very few usable upper teeth remained. Some lower teeth were still present, but their gum support and existing restorations made their long-term outlook poor. A plan for the whole mouth was needed.

We discussed fixed full-arch implant treatment for both jaws. Because of the cost of completing everything at once, the patient chose to begin with the lower jaw.

The lower jaw received an All-on-X fixed restoration, while the upper jaw was restored with a complete denture. The lower tooth positions and bite were planned with possible future treatment of the upper jaw in mind.

The lower implants supported a connected fixed restoration. At this stage the patient continued to use an upper complete denture.

The upper denture became increasingly uncomfortable and moved during use. The patient returned in 2025 to discuss fixed teeth for the upper jaw.

Although adjusting or replacing a denture was an option, the patient preferred teeth that stayed fixed in the mouth.

We assessed the position of the lower teeth, the bite plane and the space available for the upper restoration. The upper implant positions were planned together with the final tooth arrangement.

Even when treatment takes place in stages, both jaws need to work together when the patient bites and chews.

In 2025 the upper implants were connected to a fixed full-arch restoration. The final photographs were used to check tooth arrangement, the midline and the bite.

The final panoramic X-ray showed the distribution of the implants and the connected restorations in both jaws.

Fixed full-arch restorations are not removed by the patient for daily cleaning. The areas underneath and around the implants need cleaning with the aids recommended by the clinic, such as interdental brushes or an oral irrigator.

Follow-up visits assess the gums around the implants, screw loosening, wear and changes in the bite. Staged treatment still requires ongoing care of both jaws together.