Not every implant journey starts from scratch. Some patients come to us ready to begin treatment for the first time. Others arrive after having implants placed elsewhere, needing a fresh look at what's working, what isn't, and how to move forward.
This case falls into the second category. Dr. Hoyong Choi, DMD at Del Amo Dental Group, took on a full-mouth rehabilitation that required rethinking the original treatment plan, placing new implants, testing the design with temporary teeth, and carefully shaping the final result — before anything permanent was placed.
The patient came to us with implants a local periodontist had placed previously. After a full evaluation, Dr. Choi found that several of those implants wouldn't hold up under a new, more predictable treatment plan. Three were removed, new ones were placed, and treatment moved forward from there.
Next came the testing phase: temporary teeth (called PMMA provisionals) on both the upper and lower arches, worn for about three to four months. During that time, the team fine-tuned how everything looked, felt, functioned, and sounded — before finalizing the permanent teeth.
The takeaway for anyone researching implants in Torrance: getting implants isn't just about placing them. The way your final teeth look, bite, sound, and hold up over time all has to work together.
Why This Case Started With a Reevaluation
This patient didn't start with a blank slate — implants and restorations were already in place. That makes planning more complicated, because existing implants have to be judged not just on their own, but on whether they fit the bigger picture.
The real question wasn't just "is there an implant here?" It was "will this implant support the smile we're trying to build?" For three of them, the answer was no. Those were removed, new implants were placed, and the plan was rebuilt so the upper and lower arches could work together as one system.
Why Existing Implants Aren't Always Reusable
Many patients assume that if they already have implants, those implants can simply be reused. That's not always true.
An implant's usefulness depends on more than just being there — its position, the space around it, how it lines up with the planned bite, and the health of the surrounding tissue all matter. That's why a thorough exam and imaging come first, before any recommendations are made.
In this case, Dr. Choi's evaluation showed that three implants wouldn't work with the new plan. They were removed and replaced.
Planning Backward From the Final Smile
In a case this complex, the plan works backward from the desired result. The team has to think about how the top and bottom teeth will meet, how the smile will look, and how it will affect speech and daily life — especially when both arches are being restored at the same time.
Once the implant plan was settled, the next step was temporary teeth: three-piece PMMA provisionals for both arches. Think of these as a trial run — well-made, temporary implant-supported teeth that let the team see how the design would actually perform before making it permanent.
What the Temporary Teeth Were For
Temporary implant teeth aren't just placeholders. They're a chance to test-drive the final design. This patient wore hers for three to four months, which gave the team time to check:
- —How it looks. Tooth shape, size, and position all shape how natural a smile looks — not just color.
- —How it works. Everyday chewing and biting need to feel right, and temporary teeth let the team confirm that before finalizing anything.
- —How it sounds. Tooth position affects speech. Watching how certain sounds changed helped guide small adjustments.
- —How the bite fits. With both arches involved, the top and bottom teeth need to meet correctly. The temporary phase is where that gets dialed in.
From Temporary to Permanent Teeth
After three to four months of testing and fine-tuning, treatment moved into its final phase. Along the way, the team documented each step — models, procedures, temporary teeth, and the finished result — giving a behind-the-scenes look at everything a case like this involves.
Rather than jumping straight to permanent teeth, the temporary phase let the team gather real information first, so the final design would actually work.
The Finished Result
By the end, this case included far more than a new set of teeth. It meant evaluating implants placed elsewhere, removing three that wouldn't work, placing new ones, testing everything with temporary teeth for several months, and finally delivering the permanent result.
Sometimes, getting a case right means being willing to start over partway through. Knowing when to change course can matter just as much as the final step itself.
The Bigger Picture
People often think of implants as simple, one-to-one tooth replacements. But in full-mouth cases, everything is connected — implant placement, how the teeth look, how they bite, how they affect speech, and how easy they'll be to maintain long-term. That's why a thorough evaluation matters most for patients who already have implants or major dental work.
There's no single approach that fits every patient. What matters is a plan built around your specific mouth, your existing dental work, your health, and your goals.
Considering Dental Implants in Torrance or the South Bay?
Whether you're starting fresh or trying to figure out what's possible with implants you already have, the first step is a consultation.
At Del Amo Dental Group in Torrance, Dr. Hoyong Choi looks at each patient's situation individually — not with a one-size-fits-all approach. We welcome patients from Torrance, the South Bay, and greater Los Angeles for full-mouth implants, full-arch rehabilitation, and second opinions on existing implant work.
Request a ConsultationCommon Questions
What are full-mouth dental implants?
Implants that support new teeth across your entire upper and/or lower jaw. The details — how many implants, what type of prosthesis — depend on your specific case.
Can implants that aren't working be removed and replaced?
Yes, when needed. It depends on the individual case — in this patient's case, three implants were removed and replaced.
Can I get a second opinion if I already have implants?
Yes. It helps to bring any past records or X-rays, though we may still recommend new imaging.
Why use temporary teeth before the final ones?
They let us test how everything looks, feels, and functions before making it permanent. In this case, that phase lasted three to four months.
How long does full-mouth implant treatment take?
It varies by patient, depending on your starting point and healing time. The three-to-four-month period mentioned here was just the temporary-teeth phase, not the whole treatment.
How is this different from regular dentures?
Traditional dentures are removable and sit on the gums. Implant-supported teeth are anchored to implants in the jawbone, and may be fixed in place or removable, depending on the design.
How do I know if I'm a candidate?
That's something we can only determine with an in-person exam, imaging, and a conversation about your goals — not from a website.
Clinical photos are shared for educational purposes with patient permission. Every case is different — this one reflects a single patient's experience and isn't a guarantee of results for anyone else.