Even Without a Single Tooth, Implant Health Insurance Support Is Available

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[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] Elderly people in a state of 'complete edentulism' with no teeth at all will also be eligible for implant health insurance coverage.

According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare on the 21st, the scope of health insurance coverage for implants for seniors aged 65 and over is expected to be expanded from the current 'partial edentulism' to complete edentulism, possibly starting as early as March. This is intended to strengthen health insurance coverage for oral health among vulnerable groups.

Until now, implant health insurance benefits have only applied to patients with partial edentulism, where some teeth are missing in the upper or lower jaw. Patients with complete edentulism, who have no permanent teeth at all, have been excluded from implant coverage.

Teeth only grow twice in a lifetime. After birth, baby teeth emerge and are replaced by permanent teeth during childhood, but they do not regenerate thereafter. Since most elderly people aged 65 and over have lost at least one tooth, appropriate treatment is necessary.