✨ Complete Guide to Dental Implant Surgery: An Interview with Dr. Eun-Sook Cha, Seoul National University–trained Dental Medicine PhD
As more people consider dental implant surgery, the number of those seeking accurate standards and reliable information about the procedure has been increasing.
This article is based on an interview conducted with Dr. Eun‑Sook Cha of Seoul Bareunmaeum Dental Clinic, who holds a PhD in Dental Medicine from Seoul National University.
We explore in depth the topics patients are most curious about, such as criteria for choosing implant surgery, dentures vs implants, types of implant procedures, post‑operative care, the possibility of implant surgery for patients with diabetes or hypertension, and whether molar implants are truly necessary.
This interview conducted at Seoul Bareunmaeum Dental Clinic provides very practical and realistic guidelines for those considering dental implant surgery.
🦷 Dentures vs Dental Implants: Which choice is wiser
As people get older and begin losing teeth, many find themselves wondering whether they should choose dentures or dental implant surgery.
Many people worry whether dental implant surgery is possible for them because they fear the procedure, expect pain, have health issues, or feel they are too old.
However, Dr. Eun‑Sook Cha recommends dental implant surgery whenever it is possible.
✔ Adapting to dentures is more difficult than expected
In the past, many people in their 40s and 50s had already lost most of their teeth, so adapting to dentures was relatively easy, but…
Today, most people end up using dentures for the first time when they are already in old age.
Because the muscles in the mouth have become accustomed to certain patterns over many years, adapting to dentures — a completely new foreign object — is not easy.
🦷 Do you really need to get as many dental implants as the number of missing teeth
There is no need for that.
These days, the number of dental implants can be adjusted — you can place implants with gaps in between, or insert just a few and use them as anchors for an implant-supported denture (overdenture).
In other words, dental implant surgery can be designed in various ways depending on the patient’s condition.
🦷 Criteria for Choosing Types of Dental Implant Surgery: What Matters More Than the Brand
✔ “What matters more than which implant brand is used is who performs the procedure.”
The experience and skill of the practitioner are more important than the implant brand.
Nevertheless, the brands that have shown good clinical results are as follows.
✔ Osstem implant surgery
- Most widely used in Korea
- Easy after‑service (AS)
- Can be managed at other clinics after moving
✔ Straumann implant surgery
- Stable results even in older patients
- Good outcomes in difficult cases
🦷 If I lost one molar, do I really need to get an implant?
Many people wonder, “Can’t I just leave it as it is?” but molars are key teeth that maintain balance on both sides.
✔ Problems that occur when a molar is lost
- Overuse of the molar on the opposite side
- Tooth tilting
- Upper tooth drifting downward
- Occlusal collapse
- Higher treatment costs later
In short, getting a molar implant early is much more beneficial in the long run.
🦷 Can patients with diabetes or high blood pressure also receive dental implant surgery?
✔ Taking blood pressure medication → Most patients can still undergo the surgery
Just paying a bit more attention to bleeding control is enough.
✔ Severe diabetes or high blood pressure → Recovery may be slower
- The speed at which bone cells attach to the implant becomes slower.
- A collaboration with internal medicine is absolutely necessary.
In short, whether implant surgery is possible depends on your health condition, so consulting your primary doctor is essential.
🦷 Does recovery from dental implant surgery take longer for people over 50?
Not at all.
✔ “Fifty is truly still youth.”
Even people in their 80s can undergo implant surgery successfully and recover well if they are healthy.
The important thing is not age, but your health condition.
Also these days,
- Pain‑control injection
- Various medications
- Intraoral pain‑reduction injection
Because the back muscles are well‑developed, managing implant surgery pain becomes much easier.
🦷 Why is implant surgery management so important?
Implant surgery longevity depends on how well it is managed.
✔ The bacteria that damage implant surgery are the same bacteria that damage the gums.
Therefore, it’s not just the implant that needs care — the entire mouth must be managed.
✔ Essential care
- InterdentalBrush
- Regular check‑up
- Gum care
- Reducing smoking
Smoking, in particular, has a very negative impact on implant surgery outcomes.
🦷 Why do implant surgery costs differ from one clinic to another?
- Implant brand used
- Whether bone grafting is needed
- Whether gum grafting is needed
- Difficulty level
- Equipment level
- Practitioner’s experience
- Aftercare system
🦷 If you have these symptoms, you may need to consider implant surgery.
- It has been a long time since the molar was lost
- The tooth on the opposite side has started to ache.
- Using only one side when chewing food
- The gums frequently swell or bleed
- Teeth are tilting or spreading apart
- The denture keeps becoming loose
🦷 Post‑implant surgery care routine
- Brushing your teeth 2–3 times a day
- Interdental brushes are essential
- Regular check‑ups every 6 months
- Avoid hard foods during the initial period
- Quit smoking or minimize smoking
- Gum massage
- Prevention of dry mouth
Dental implant surgery is not just a procedure to replace a single tooth; it is an important decision that greatly affects your future quality of life, eating habits, and overall health.
Therefore, as in this article, it is essential to gain a broad understanding of accurate standards for implant surgery, practical advice, the differences between dentures and implants, types of implant procedures, implant care, and whether implant surgery is possible for patients with diabetes or high blood pressure.
I sincerely hope that the insights shared through the interview with Dr. Cha Eun‑sook, a Seoul National University–trained dental specialist, have been helpful in your decision about implant surgery. Whatever choice you make, the most important thing is to understand your health condition accurately and make your decision after thorough consultation with a trustworthy medical professional.
❓ F&A
1. Which is better, dentures or dental implant surgery?
If possible, dental implant surgery is recommended. It is easy to adapt to and offers excellent functionality.
2. Is dental implant surgery possible even if I have diabetes?
If your diabetes is well controlled, implant surgery is possible, but in severe cases, cooperation with an internal medicine specialist is required.
3. Which dental implant brand should I choose?
The skill of the surgeon is more important than the brand. Osstem and Straumann are widely used.
4. Do I really need dental implant surgery if I am missing one molar?
If left untreated, it can lead to more serious problems such as tooth tilting and bite collapse.
5. How should I take care of my dental implants after surgery?
Interdental brushing, regular check‑ups, gum care, and quitting smoking are essential.
