At a glance
- Recovery
- No downtime
- Pain
- Mild
- Time
- 30–60 min
- Sessions
- Regular visits
- Type
- Non-surgical
What it is
Removal of plaque and hardened tartar from tooth surfaces with special instruments, usually followed by polishing. Deep cleaning below the gumline (scaling and root planing) is a separate treatment for gum disease.
Who it’s for
Anyone with plaque or tartar build-up. In Korea, people enrolled in National Health Insurance aged 19 or older have one full-mouth scaling covered per calendar year.
How it’s done
The dentist checks the teeth and gums. Tartar is removed from the teeth and around the gumline, the teeth are polished, and fluoride may be applied.
Why we don’t list a price
- We only show prices we can check in official public statistics, and we couldn’t find one for this treatment.
- Prices vary widely by clinic, area treated, product and amount.
- At the consultation, get the total price, the product and amount (mL or units) and the number of sessions in writing.
Recovery
Eating and normal activities can resume the same day. Sensitive teeth or sore gums can follow and usually fade within a few days.
Risks and side effects
- Temporary tooth sensitivity to hot and cold
- Sore gums and some bleeding
- Gums may look slightly receded once swelling settles (mainly after deep cleaning)
- Rare: infection, mainly after deep cleaning
Thinking about this one?
This counts interest, not results.
Be the first to answer
Questions to ask the clinic
Tick each one as you ask it. Ticks stay on this screen only; save this page to find the questions again.
Aftercare
- Use a desensitizing toothpaste if your teeth feel sensitive
- Keep brushing and flossing daily
- Contact the dentist if bleeding does not stop
Questions people ask
Is scaling covered by insurance in Korea?
For National Health Insurance members aged 19 or older, one full-mouth scaling per year (January to December) is covered, with the usual co-payment. Extra cleanings, and cleaning done for whitening, orthodontics or bad breath, are not covered. Visitors without Korean insurance pay the clinic's own fee.
Why are my teeth sensitive after scaling?
Removing plaque and tartar can make teeth more sensitive to heat and cold. After a routine cleaning this usually passes within days. After deep cleaning it can take a month or two.
How long does it take?
Most cleanings take 30–60 minutes. A deep cleaning takes 1–2 hours and may be split over two visits.
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.
How to check a clinic before you book