Implants: we start with diagnosis and planning before placement.

A dental implant is a treatment in which an artificial root is placed where a tooth has been lost, and a prosthesis is connected on top.
Even for the same site, the treatment method and duration differ depending on the gums and jawbone, the bite with opposing teeth, and general health.
Seoul Korea Dental Clinic explains the examination results first, and decides with you whether to place an implant and in what order to proceed.

Diagnosis & treatment planning

We check the gums, bone, bite, and general health together.

With an oral examination, X-rays, and CT imaging, we check the height and width of the jawbone
and its distance from nerves and the maxillary sinus.
We record the teeth and gums as digital data with an intraoral scanner
and review the bite and the space for the prosthesis together.

Treatment room at Seoul Korea Dental Clinic
01
Gum condition

If there is gum inflammation or periodontal disease, we treat it first and then decide when to place the implant.

02
Amount of jawbone

We check whether the height and width of the bone are sufficient and whether a bone graft is needed.

03
Position of nerves & maxillary sinus

We check the distance to the lower jaw nerve canal and the upper jaw maxillary sinus on CT images.

04
Bite

We plan the shape of the prosthesis based on the opposing teeth and the direction of chewing forces.

05
General health

We check systemic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, and current medications.

06
Anxiety and cooperation

If you feel strong anxiety about dental treatment, we discuss treatment approaches with you.

Conscious Sedation
01
Scope of treatment

We explain the sites and number of implants, and whether extraction or bone grafting is needed.

02
Expected duration

We give you an approximate schedule, including the healing period, and the number of visits.

03
Other treatment options

We also explain how implants differ from other options such as bridges and dentures.

04
Costs & insurance

We check and explain non-covered items and whether National Health Insurance applies.

Treatment room corridor and dental chairs at Seoul Korea Dental Clinic
01

Intraoral scanner

Digital impressions
Records the teeth and gums as digital data.
02

CT imaging

3D imaging
Checks the height and width of the jawbone and the position of nerves.
03

Vital sign monitoring

During sedation or general anesthesia
Checks pulse, blood pressure, ECG, and oxygen saturation.

General health & anesthesia methods

If you have systemic conditions or take medications, we check them before surgery.

If you have chronic conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, or take medications, we check your health before surgery
and, if needed, also review an opinion from another medical institution.
If you have put off treatment because of strong anxiety about dental treatment,
you can also consult us about conscious sedation or general anesthesia.

General anesthesia treatment room at Seoul Korea Dental Clinic
01
Systemic conditions

Please tell us about any conditions you are being treated for, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart and blood vessel disease.

02
Current medications

Medications such as blood thinners and osteoporosis treatments need to be checked in advance. Please do not stop them on your own.

03
Surgery & anesthesia experience

Please tell us about past surgery or sedation/anesthesia experiences and how you reacted.

04
Smoking

Smoking can affect wound healing, so we check it during consultation.

01
Local anesthesia

Standard implant surgery is performed under local anesthesia.

02
Conscious Sedation

A method that uses medication to lower anxiety and tension; you breathe on your own and can respond to simple instructions. Whether it can be used is decided after a pre-treatment assessment.

About conscious sedation
03
Dental Treatment under General Anesthesia

Considered after a pre-treatment assessment when treatment is difficult with usual methods.

About general anesthesia
Step 03

When jawbone is insufficient

We decide the placement method according to the amount and position of the bone.

If a long time has passed since a tooth was lost, or gum disease has progressed, the jawbone may have decreased.
A bone graft reinforces the deficient area with bone graft material to create conditions for implant placement.
For upper molars, we consider a sinus lift (crestal or lateral approach) depending on the distance to the maxillary sinus.

Step 04

Implant treatment process

Implant treatment usually proceeds in this order: examination and consultation, placement, healing period, prosthesis connection, and regular check-ups.
Depending on the jawbone condition and the scope of treatment, steps may be added or the duration may change.

Dr. Ahn Tae-hoon, Representative Director, providing treatment
  1. STEP 01
    Examination & consultation

    We explain the CT and oral examination results and decide on the treatment plan.

  2. STEP 02
    Placement

    After local anesthesia, the artificial root is placed in the planned position.

  3. STEP 03
    Healing period

    We wait until the artificial root has firmly bonded with the jawbone. The duration depends on the bone condition and site.

  4. STEP 04
    Prosthesis connection

    The prosthesis is made using an intraoral scan or similar methods, then connected and the bite adjusted.

  5. STEP 05
    Regular check-ups

    We continue care while checking the gums and bite.

01
When extraction is needed

Based on inflammation and the jawbone condition, we decide whether to place the implant immediately or after healing.

02
When jawbone is insufficient

A bone graft may be done at the same time or beforehand.

03
When there is gum disease

The implant is placed after gum treatment has reduced the inflammation.

04
When several teeth are being treated

We set the treatment order together with other treatments such as cavity treatment, root canal treatment, and orthodontics.

Integrated Dental Care
Step 05

Implant revision surgery consultation

If an existing implant has become inflamed or loose, we first check the cause.
After examining for peri-implantitis, jawbone loss, bite problems, and more,
we plan whether to maintain the existing implant with care, or remove it and place a new one.

01
Peri-implantitis

We check for inflammation in the gums and bone around the implant.

02
Jawbone loss

We check how much the bone supporting the implant has decreased.

03
Bite problems

We check the bite to see whether chewing forces are concentrated on one side.

04
Prosthesis problems

We check for loose screws, broken prostheses, food getting stuck, and similar issues.

  1. STEP 01
    Examination

    We check X-ray and CT images and the condition of the gums.

  2. STEP 02
    Explaining the cause

    We explain the cause of the problem and treatment options.

  3. STEP 03
    Controlling inflammation

    We first treat gum inflammation and adjust the prosthesis.

  4. STEP 04
    Deciding on re-placement

    If needed, the implant is removed, the bone is allowed to recover, and a new implant is placed.

Step 06

National Health Insurance Implants

If you are 65 or older, check whether National Health Insurance applies.

For people aged 65 or older, Korea's National Health Insurance may cover implant treatment according to its criteria.
The number of covered implants, the co-payment rate, and non-covered items vary depending on the insurance criteria and treatment details,
so we explain them during the consultation after your examination.

Treatment room at Seoul Korea Dental Clinic
01
Age

65 or older

02
Eligibility

Partially edentulous (some teeth missing)

03
Number

Within the number set by the National Health Insurance criteria

04
Registration

Registration for National Health Insurance coverage before treatment begins

01
Eligibility for coverage

We check whether coverage applies based on your oral condition and treatment plan.

02
Co-payment

We explain the co-payment amount under the National Health Insurance criteria.

03
Non-covered items

If there are items not covered by National Health Insurance, we explain them in advance.

Step 07

Implant aftercare

Implants also need regular care.

Implants do not get cavities, but inflammation in the surrounding gums can lead to peri-implantitis.
Please keep your gums and bite in check with regular check-ups, scaling, proper brushing, and interdental care.

01
Gum condition

We check for swelling and bleeding in the gums around the implant.

02
Bite

We check that the prosthesis meets the opposing teeth evenly and adjust it if needed.

03
Scaling

Removing tartar helps reduce gum inflammation.

01
Brushing & interdental care

Please clean carefully around the implant with an interdental brush or floss.

02
Smoking

Smoking can affect gum health.

03
Warning signs

If you notice looseness, gum swelling or bleeding, or discomfort when chewing, please visit us.

04
Teeth grinding

If you grind or clench your teeth, please let us know.

Check Point

Four things we check during an implant consultation

Gums & jawbone

We check gum inflammation and the amount of bone
at the placement site.

Bite

We plan the prosthesis considering the opposing teeth
and chewing forces.

General health

We check systemic conditions, medications,
and past treatment and anesthesia experiences.

Care after treatment

We guide patients and caregivers on care
they can practice at home.

Precautions after implant surgery

Stopping bleeding

Bite on the gauze for the time you are told
to stop the bleeding.

Prescribed medication

Take your prescribed medication
at the scheduled times.

Avoid pressure

Spitting, using a straw, or blowing your nose hard
can increase bleeding, so please avoid them.

Alcohol & smoking

Alcohol and smoking can slow healing,
so please avoid them for the period you are told.

Cold compress

If there is swelling, apply a cold compress
as directed by our medical team.

Warning signs

If pain or bleeding continues or gets worse,
please contact the clinic.

Exercise & sauna

For a few days after surgery, avoid saunas,
hot packs, and strenuous exercise.

Eating

Eat soft food on the side opposite the surgical site
and avoid hot or hard food.

Brushing & mouthwash

Brush while avoiding the surgical site,
and use mouthwash as directed.

FAQ

Implant FAQ

I'm afraid of implant surgery — can I receive sedation?

Conscious sedation may be considered if you feel strong anxiety about dental sounds or need complex implant surgery. Whether it can be used is decided after a pre-treatment assessment of systemic conditions, medications, respiratory condition, and more; if it is judged not to be appropriate, we will explain other treatment options. Conscious Sedation

Can I get implants if I have diabetes or high blood pressure?

Having a systemic condition does not mean implants are always difficult. We check how well the condition is controlled and your medications, and, if needed, refer to an opinion from another medical institution to decide the timing and method of treatment.

I was told I don't have enough jawbone — can I still get implants?

Placement may be considered after reinforcing the deficient bone with a bone graft or sinus lift. The amount and position of bone are checked on CT images, and the method and duration depend on the examination results.

How long does treatment take?

After placement, a healing period is needed for the artificial root to bond with the jawbone, and the duration varies depending on the site, bone condition, and whether a bone graft is done. We explain the expected schedule after the examination.

Can I receive cavity treatment, gum treatment, orthodontics, and implants at one clinic?

At Seoul Korea Dental Clinic, depending on your oral condition, we can plan cavity and root canal treatment, gum treatment, orthodontics, wisdom tooth extraction, and implants and prosthetics in coordination. When several problems exist together, it is important to set treatment priorities. Integrated Dental Care

Implant consultation

We explain treatment options based on your examination results and health.
Please call before your visit to confirm the schedule.