How to Read a Korean Dental Price List Without Surprises
Published by The Seoul Dental Clinic · Meet the dentists
Check four things on any Korean dental price list: whether the item is non-covered, whether the price is per tooth or per set, whether VAT is added, and what is included in the figure. Then ask about anything that is missing. A short list of questions removes most price surprises.
Covered or non-covered
Korean dental pricing has two worlds. Covered treatment follows national insurance rules. Non-covered treatment, which includes implants, aligners, veneers and whitening, is priced by each clinic. A clinic price list is mostly a list of non-covered items.
The Seoul Dental Clinic's published list is described as a non-covered list, so treat it as the clinic's own prices rather than a national rate.
Words and symbols you will see
| You see | It usually means |
|---|---|
| ₩350,000 | Korean won. 350,000 won. Some lists write 350K or 35만원. |
| ₩100K to ₩200K | A range. Your case decides where you fall. |
| per tooth | Multiply by the number of teeth |
| per set | One set of the item, such as an overdenture set |
| VAT included | Value-added tax is already in the figure; ask when a list does not say |
| included | Part of the same price, no separate charge (for example, MegaGen implant + PFM crown) |
Price list as published; confirm at consultation. On our list, cosmetic prices include VAT.
Four checks for every line
Unit
Is the price per tooth, per arch, per set or for the whole treatment?
VAT
Is VAT already included or added on top? On our list, cosmetic prices include VAT; ask about anything that is not marked.
Inclusions
Is the crown, abutment, scan, medication or temporary tooth part of the price, or a separate line?
Range
Where in a range will your case fall, and why?
A worked example
Take the published Osstem standard implant at ₩650,000. On the clinic's schedule the implant, abutment and crown are separate items, so a single replacement tooth would be the implant plus an implant crown, for example ₩650,000 plus a zirconia implant crown at ₩450,000, which is ₩1,100,000. A custom or zirconia abutment is added only if your case needs one. If your dentist says you also need a bone graft, listed from ₩100,000 to ₩1,000,000 by extent, the total rises accordingly, and you should see this written before you agree.
A laminate veneer is listed at ₩600,000 per tooth, VAT included. Six veneers is therefore six times that figure, ₩3,600,000, not one price for all of them.
What is not on the list
Root canal
Cost depends on the tooth and how complicated the canals are, so a fixed figure is not published.
Extraction and wisdom teeth
Difficulty varies from tooth to tooth, so the price is given after examination.
Gum treatment
The amount of work depends on the state of your gums.
Scans and night guards
These are not part of the published price list and are quoted when needed.
Before you pay
Ask for the quote in writing, with each procedure on its own line, the unit price, the number of units and the total. Check that the tooth numbers match what you discussed. If you plan to claim from an insurer, ask for an itemized receipt as well.
You do not have to decide on the day. A clinic that explains the plan and lets you think is easier to trust than one that rushes you.
A note on exchange rates and payment
Prices are in Korean won. If you are comparing with a home-country quote, convert at the rate you will actually pay, and remember that card fees can add to the total.
Ask how and when payment is expected. Some plans are paid in stages. Ask for a receipt each time you pay.
Finally, keep the price list you were shown. A screenshot or a printed copy dated on the day you visited protects you if figures are updated later.
Frequently asked questions
What does 350K mean?
It means ₩350,000. K stands for thousand.
Is VAT always added?
Not always. On our list, cosmetic prices include VAT. For other items, ask whether your quote includes it.
Why are some treatments quoted after examination?
Cost depends on the individual tooth or case, so a fixed price cannot be given without looking.
Is the consultation free?
The English or international consultation is published as free. Ask about other fees when you book.
English-speaking dentists in Seongnam
The clinic was founded by two brothers trained at Seoul National University who direct it together. Three further dentists hold Ministry of Health and Welfare specialist certifications. Full credentials →
Dr. Hyun Sung Park
Clinic Director
- Co-founder and joint clinic director
- DDS, Seoul National University School of Dentistry
- Master’s degree, SNU Graduate School of Dentistry
- Former staff, Dept. of General Dentistry, SNU Dental Hospital
- Microendodontics Programme, SNU
- Course completion, UCLA, USA
- Member, UPenn Endodontics Study Club, USA
- Certified Invisalign Provider
- Osstem Implant AIC Programme
- Member, International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI)
Dr. Hyeonjoon Park
Clinic Director
- Co-founder and joint clinic director
- DDS, Seoul National University School of Dentistry
- Master’s degree, SNU Graduate School of Dentistry
- Former staff, Dept. of General Dentistry, SNU Dental Hospital
- Affiliate Associate Fellow, American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID)
- Certified Invisalign Provider; leads orthodontic treatment
- Course completion, UCLA, USA
- Member, UPenn Endodontics Study Club, USA
- Member, International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI)
- Member, Seoul Prime Orthodontic Study Club
Dr. Yu Jin Kim
Dentist
- Board-certified specialist, Advanced General Dentistry (Ministry of Health and Welfare)
- Johns Hopkins University, USA
- Master’s degree, SNU Graduate School of Dentistry
- Former staff, Osaka University Dental Hospital, Japan
Dr. Min Ji Choi
Dentist
- Board-certified specialist, Conservative Dentistry
- Board-certified specialist, Advanced General Dentistry
- Internship and residency, Jeonbuk National University Dental Hospital
- Master’s degree in Conservative Dentistry, Jeonbuk National University
Dr. Jin Young Choi
Dentist
- Board-certified specialist, Advanced General Dentistry
- Clinical training, Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia, Canada
- Master’s degree, Kyungpook National University Graduate School of Dentistry
- BA in English Language and Literature, Korea University
Ask a question or request a consultation
Message us or call +82-31-757-1525. Tell us what you need and we will explain the next step in English.