Frequently Asked Questions

Consultations are coordinated by our English-speaking patient team, and an interpreter is with you throughout your visit. Dr. Chulmin Bae also communicates in English and Chinese. Diagnosis, treatment plans, costs, consent forms and aftercare instructions are all explained in English.

English, Chinese and Japanese are supported by dedicated staff during all clinic hours. Spanish, Russian and Arabic can be arranged with advance notice — please mention your language when you contact us.

Yes, many treatments can be completed during a short visit. As a guide: 1–2 days for check-ups, cleaning, whitening and veneers; 3–7 days for implant surgery, porcelain crowns and extractions; 1–2 weeks for root canal treatment and zirconia crowns. Dentures and orthodontic treatment are not suited to short stays. For cosmetic work we recommend allowing about 7 days. The exact schedule depends on your diagnosis.

Yes. Send your panoramic X-ray, CT scan, photos of your teeth, existing treatment plan, English medical records, blood test results or medication list by email or WhatsApp. The preliminary review is free, and we reply with whether treatment is likely to be possible, the expected number of visits and duration, an estimated cost range, the tests you will need and available dates. A preliminary review is not a final diagnosis.

The number of visits and the treatment duration depend on your diagnosis, and a personalised treatment plan is provided after examination. Because our restorations are made in our own laboratory, fabrication time is shorter than when work is sent out, which often reduces the number of days you need in Seoul.

We aim to complete as much as possible in a single trip, but implants need healing time before the final crown is fitted — usually 2–3 months in the lower jaw and 3–6 months in the upper jaw — so most patients return for a second visit. Whether the surgical stage fits your trip depends on your bone condition and whether bone grafting is needed. Implant patients also need to return for regular check-ups, which is a condition of the implant warranty. After reviewing your X-ray or CT we will tell you what is realistic during your stay.

Porcelain crowns are generally possible during a stay of 3–7 days; zirconia crowns usually need 1–2 weeks. Our in-house dental laboratory shortens fabrication time compared with sending work to an outside laboratory. For cosmetic crowns we recommend allowing about 7 days.

Yes. Same-day emergency treatment is available during clinic hours for severe toothache, broken teeth, lost crowns or temporary teeth, implant prosthesis problems, gum swelling, wisdom tooth pain, bleeding and dental injuries. No prior appointment procedure is required, but calling ahead helps us prepare. We are not a 24-hour service and cannot provide emergency care at night, on Sundays or on public holidays.

We do not bill international insurers directly. We provide all the documents you need to claim reimbursement from your insurer: an English diagnosis certificate, English receipts, an itemised statement, your treatment plan, imaging and treatment records.

Yes. On request we provide English records covering the treatment performed, tooth numbers, implant brand and specifications, restoration materials, prescribed medication, imaging, your future treatment plan, check-up schedule and aftercare instructions.

Contact us by email, WhatsApp or WeChat — online consultation after you return home is always available. We will look at your description or photos and advise on the next steps. Implant and cavity treatments require follow-up visits, and warranty conditions apply; see our Aftercare and Warranty page.

Yes, sedation is available for suitable patients, and we use painless anaesthesia equipment for injections. Whether sedation is appropriate for you is decided after reviewing your medical history and the planned treatment.

Cash, Korean and overseas credit cards, bank transfer, mobile payment and overseas remittance are all accepted. Estimates are given in Korean won and include VAT. Instalment or stage-by-stage payment is available for residents of Korea only.

Yes. Oaks Dental Clinic is on the 7th floor of A-Tower, directly at Exit 12 of Gangnam Station (Line 2 and Shinbundang Line) — the building immediately to your left as you come out of the exit, with a pharmacy at street level. Mechanical parking is available behind the building (not suitable for SUVs).

Yes. You can contact us through the form on this website, by email, phone, WhatsApp, WeChat, LINE, KakaoTalk, Telegram or Google Business Profile. Whichever channel you use, your appointment is confirmed by the clinic after review.

No. Submitting the form is an appointment request. The clinic reviews your information, collects any details still needed, proposes dates, and confirms the appointment after you accept — you will receive a message saying "Appointment Confirmed".

Yes. Please let us know as early as possible so the time can be offered to another patient. For cosmetic prosthetic treatments such as veneers, a deposit of 10% of the treatment fee is requested in advance to secure the appointment.

Your name, nationality, country of residence, preferred language, email, phone or WhatsApp number, the treatment you are interested in, your current symptoms, preferred appointment dates, arrival and departure dates, the number of days available for treatment, previous dental treatment, medications, allergies, medical conditions, pregnancy status and whether you have insurance. X-rays and photos of your teeth are optional but very helpful.

Yes, children are treated at Oaks Dental Clinic. Please tell us your child’s age and symptoms when you contact us so we can plan the visit.

Family members or companions are welcome to join your consultation, and our interpreting staff support the conversation for everyone present so that the diagnosis, treatment plan and costs are understood.

It depends on how the implant is cared for and on the health of your gums. With regular check-ups and good oral hygiene, implants can be used for many years. Regular check-ups are also a condition of the implant warranty (3–5 years depending on the brand).

Implant placement is carried out under local anaesthesia, delivered with painless anaesthesia equipment, so discomfort during the procedure is limited. Pain or swelling afterwards is managed with prescribed medication and aftercare instructions. Sedation is available for suitable patients.

Often yes. When the bone is not sufficient, bone grafting or a sinus lift can be combined with implant placement. Whether this applies to you is decided from your 3D CT scan, and any grafting is stated in your written treatment plan and estimate.

A veneer covers only the front surface of the tooth, so much less tooth structure is removed; a crown covers the whole tooth. Veneers are mainly used to improve the appearance of front teeth. With good care and regular check-ups, porcelain veneers commonly last 10 years or more.

Professional whitening does not remove any tooth structure; with the right concentration and supervision the risk of damage is low. Temporary sensitivity can occur and usually settles within a few days. Results typically last from about six months to two years depending on diet and habits, and can be refreshed with a top-up session.

Most cases of crowding, spacing and mild to moderate bite problems can be treated, but complex malocclusions may be better suited to fixed braces — this is decided after examination and a 3D scan. Aligners must be worn 20–22 hours a day. Because treatment takes months with regular reviews, it suits residents of Korea or patients who can return for visits.

Yes. If too much gum shows when you smile, or the gum line is uneven, the gum line can be reshaped to bring the teeth and gums into proportion. Gums darkened by pigmentation can be lightened with a dental laser. Recovery usually takes about 1–2 weeks depending on the extent of treatment.

It depends on how much bone has been lost. Regenerative periodontal treatment — guided tissue regeneration with bone graft material, or Emdogain — can rebuild lost bone and tissue and improve the chances of keeping the tooth when treatment is started in time. Whether this is possible for you is assessed after examination and X-rays.

Systems used at the clinic include Straumann (Switzerland), Astra Tech by Dentsply Sirona (Sweden) and Osstem (Korea). The system is chosen with you for your bone condition and is stated in your written treatment plan; the warranty period depends on the brand.

Mechanical parking is available behind the building, but SUVs and BMW vehicles cannot use it. If you are driving, please check with us in advance; otherwise the subway (Gangnam Station, Exit 12) or a taxi is the simplest way to reach us.