At a glance
- Recovery
- 1–7days
- Pain
- Moderate
- Sessions
- Several visits
- Type
- Surgery
Sessions are spaced apart, so on a short trip you may only get one.
What it is
A titanium post placed in the jawbone to replace a missing tooth root, topped with a connector (abutment) and a crown, bridge or denture. The bone needs 3–9 months to fuse with the post (osseointegration) before the final tooth is attached.
Who it’s for
Adults (usually 18 or older) who have finished growing and have enough healthy jawbone. A bone graft may be needed if bone is thin. Implants may not suit people with unmanaged diabetes or active gum disease, or people who smoke.
How it’s done
Exam and imaging come first. The implant is placed under local anesthesia, with sedation as an option. After 3–9 months of healing, the abutment and crown are attached in a visit of about one hour, sometimes with a second minor surgery.
Price in public data
₩1,100,000–₩1,500,000
per tooth
Prices vary by clinic, material and area treated.
Source: mohw.go.kr(opens in a new tab)Data as of October 2026
Recovery
The first stage of healing takes about one week, with slight discomfort and swelling. Full bone fusion takes 3–9 months.
Risks and side effects
- Infection in the gums or bone around the implant (bleeding or swollen gums, pus, fever)
- Numbness from nerve damage, or sinus perforation in the upper jaw
- Damage to neighboring teeth, or jawbone fracture during surgery
- Implant loosening or failure, which may need another surgery
- Loose abutment screw or a bite that feels wrong
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Aftercare
- Use over-the-counter pain relievers as directed
- Do not smoke or vape while healing
- Clean around the implant as instructed and keep regular dental visits
- Contact the dentist right away if the implant feels loose or painful, or for swelling, pus or fever
Questions people ask
How much does an implant cost in Korea?
Korea's health ministry and HIRA publish non-covered fees. In the 2026 release, the median fee per implant at dental clinics was ₩1.1 million with metal, PFM or zirconia crowns, ₩1.2 million with all-ceramic crowns and ₩1.5 million with gold-based crowns. Fees reported by dental clinics ranged from ₩540,000 to ₩2.5 million. Prices vary by clinic, material and extra procedures such as bone grafts.
How long do implants last?
With good hygiene, implants can often last a lifetime. A 2019 meta-analysis estimated that about 96% of implants survive 10 years. The crown may need replacing, often after around 15 years.
Can I finish an implant in one trip?
Usually not. The bone needs 3–9 months to fuse before the final tooth is attached, so treatment often means visits several months apart.
Does it hurt?
The area is numbed during placement. Slight discomfort and swelling afterwards are normal, and most people feel like themselves within about a week.
Sources
Facts on this page come from medical societies, public agencies and medical journals.
This is general information, not medical advice, and we don’t refer you to any clinic. We don’t list clinic names, reviews or rankings. Unnie Note is an independent publication with no ties to any clinic or booking service.
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