Quick Answer
Are full-mouth implants and whole-mouth implants different?
“Full-mouth implants” and “whole-mouth implants” are generally used to mean the same thing, and the names alone do not indicate different treatments. The range each clinic means differs, so you need to confirm whether it refers to one jaw or both, plus the number of implants and the prosthesis type.
How do full-mouth and whole-mouth implants differ by method in number of implants and prosthesis?
Yeonhap Dental Clinic uses three main implant treatments for a completely edentulous jaw. The three-segment fixed type places enough implants to divide a 12-tooth prosthesis into three segments. Full-arch implants (All-on-X) fix 12 teeth as one piece, using 4 implants at the front of the lower jaw (All-on-4) or 6 implants at positions 4, 5, and 6 on each side of the upper jaw (All-on-6). The implant-supported denture fixes a bridge on implants and attaches a partial denture to that bridge so it can be removed and inserted; our clinic's standard is 2 implants for the lower jaw and 4 for the upper jaw. A comparison of the five methods is in the column on 5 treatment options for the completely edentulous. If the bone allows, Yeonhap Dental Clinic considers the three-segment fixed type first, and also compares full-arch implants according to placement constraints, cost, maintenance, and patient preference.
In a full-mouth implant consultation, what should I ask about instead of terminology?
Three things: how many implants go in one jaw, whether the prosthesis is fixed or removable, and whether a bone graft or sinus lift is included. Even among those called “whole-mouth implants,” All-on-4, which places 4 implants, differs in cost and maintenance from the fixed type that places at least 6 in the lower jaw and at least 7 in the upper jaw for 12 artificial teeth and divides the prosthesis into three segments. If the remaining teeth can be saved, treatment may end with a partial restoration.
What criteria does Yeonhap Dental Clinic use to decide the number of implants, temporary teeth, and duration for full-mouth implants?
For the three-segment fixed type, at least 6 implants are placed in the lower jaw and at least 7 in the upper jaw, based on 12 teeth. If the residual bone height above the nerve canal in the lower molar area is under 5 mm, we consider All-on-4, which uses the 4 front implants, instead of placing at that site. Temporary teeth are connected and placed on the day or within 1 week once implants with a diameter of at least 4 mm, a length of at least 8.5 mm, and initial stability of at least 30 Ncm are secured: 4 in the lower jaw or 6 in the upper jaw. Yeonhap Dental Clinic does not place immediate fixed temporary teeth on an upper jaw where a sinus lift has been performed together. Treatment takes about 4 months after placement for the lower jaw and about 4–8 months for the upper jaw, and for the upper jaw this is decided by immediate loading, whether a sinus lift is done, and stability and healing. Implants for the completely edentulous are currently not covered by insurance, and complete dentures are covered once every 7 years for patients 65 or older, with the copayment rate varying by coverage type. Expanded coverage of 2 implants for the completely edentulous is scheduled to begin in January 2027, and existing users of covered complete dentures become eligible after 7 years.
References
The literature below is background on the All-on-4 concept; the number of implants and the three-segment design are Yeonhap Dental Clinic's clinical criteria. Insurance coverage follows NHIS guidance and Ministry of Health and Welfare announcements. Soto-Peñaloza D, et al. The all-on-four treatment concept: systematic review. J Clin Exp Dent. 2017. National Health Insurance Service (NHIS): Guide to Covered Dentures for Seniors National Health Insurance Service (NHIS): Guide to Covered Dental Implants Ministry of Health and Welfare: results of the September 8, 2026 Health Insurance Policy Deliberation Committee (expanded dental coverage)
Related Implant Consultation Pages
Before Your Visit
This article is general guidance for implant consultations. Whether treatment is possible and the actual cost may change after an oral examination and 3D CBCT diagnosis. If you have discomfort such as pain, swelling, or looseness, please come in for a consultation so we can check.