Dental Implant Guide: Treatment Steps, Timeline, Cost Structure and Korean Health Insurance Rules

A dental implant is a treatment in which a titanium artificial tooth root is placed in the jawbone where a tooth was lost, and an artificial tooth is attached on top. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA, 질병관리청) says the root generally takes 3-4 months to bond with the bone, and longer if bone grafting is done as well. In Korea, implants are generally not covered by insurance, but people aged 65 or older who still have some natural teeth get National Health Insurance coverage for up to 2 implants in their lifetime, with a 30% copay.

Published 2026-11-08 · Updated 2026-11-08 · DentalStatics editorial team

Key facts

How it works	Osseointegration: the titanium artificial root bonds firmly with the jawbone (source: KDCA National Health Information Portal)
Time to bond with bone	Generally 3-4 months, longer if bone grafting is done (source: KDCA National Health Information Portal)
Insurance eligibility	Aged 65 or older with partial edentulism (completely edentulous patients excluded) (source: National Health Insurance Service (NHIS, 국민건강보험공단))
Number covered	2 per person for life (source: National Health Insurance Service (NHIS))
Copay rate	30% for health insurance members; Medical Aid Type 1 pays 10%, Type 2 pays 20% (source: National Health Insurance Service (NHIS))
Covered prosthetic materials	PFM crown or zirconia crown (zirconia from February 1, 2025) (source: Ministry of Health and Welfare Notice No. 2025-23)
Additional surgery such as bone grafting	Bone grafting and sinus lift are not covered (source: National Health Insurance Service (NHIS))
Regular check-ups after treatment	Every 3-6 months (source: KDCA National Health Information Portal)

When is a dental implant considered?

An implant is considered when teeth have been lost to decay, gum disease, an accident or a congenital absence. The KDCA lists typical cases: when the rearmost molar is missing and there is no tooth to anchor a bridge, when you do not want neighboring natural teeth ground down, and when dentures are uncomfortable and you want a fixed option.

The same source explains that the chewing ability of an implant is close to that of a natural tooth. On the other hand, the need for surgery, the long treatment period and the high cost should be weighed when comparing with bridges and dentures.

Depending on the amount of jawbone, general health conditions and medications, it may not be possible to place an implant right away. Whether an implant is suitable is decided by the dentist after radiographic examination and an oral exam.

What are the steps of implant treatment?

First, the height and width of the bone are checked with a 3D dental CT, a panoramic image and intraoral radiographs, and an impression or an intraoral scan is taken. If there is decay or gum disease, it is treated before implant surgery.

In Korea, insured implants are billed in three stages: diagnosis and treatment planning, fixture placement, and prosthesis restoration, and the fee is paid at each stage. Each stage is a bundle of several visits rather than a single day, and the stages must in principle be completed in order.

If needed, bone regeneration is first induced with a bone graft
The gum is opened and the artificial tooth root (fixture) is placed in the bone
After bonding with the bone, the connecting post (abutment) is attached
The artificial tooth is fixed with cement or a screw and the bite is adjusted

How long does implant treatment take?

The KDCA says it generally takes 3-4 months for the artificial root to bond with the bone. If bone is lacking and a bone graft is done beforehand or at the same time, the healing period is extended accordingly.

Right after surgery there may be swelling, pain and difficulty opening the mouth, and swelling is usually worst around 48 hours. Even after the prosthesis is placed, it takes 1-2 months to get used to chewing with the new tooth, and because the first year is when the bone stabilizes, it is better to start with soft foods.

In rare cases the artificial root does not bond with the bone, and the fixture must be removed and placed again, which lengthens the process. For insured implants, only in such osseointegration failure can the fixture placement stage be redone once at the same dental clinic, after going through a treatment-suspension and re-registration procedure.

Who is covered by implant health insurance in Korea, and how?

In Korea, health insurance members or dependents aged 65 or older who have some teeth remaining in the upper or lower jaw (partial edentulism) are eligible. The number is 2 for life, and regular members pay 30% of the total treatment cost. The dental clinic must register the patient with the National Health Insurance Service before treatment begins for it to be covered.

Near-poverty patients with rare intractable diseases pay 10% and near-poverty patients with chronic diseases pay 20%; Medical Aid recipients pay 10% for Type 1 and 20% for Type 2, with registration done at the city, county or district office. Only PFM crowns and zirconia crowns are covered prosthetic materials, and in the following cases the entire implant procedure is treated as non-covered.

In September 2026, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that from January 2027 it will support 2 implants through health insurance even for people aged 65 or older who have no teeth at all.

Placing implants in a completely edentulous jaw (as of 2026)
Placing an implant through the upper jawbone into the cheekbone (zygomatic bone)
Using a one-piece material in which the fixture and abutment are a single unit
Making the prosthesis from a material other than PFM or zirconia, such as gold

How is the cost of an implant structured?

If you are not eligible for health insurance, an implant is non-covered, so the price differs from clinic to clinic. A quote usually includes diagnosis and tests, fixture placement, abutment and prosthesis, while bone grafting or sinus lift is added separately.

Even for insured implants, additional surgery such as bone grafting and custom abutments are non-covered. The cost of extracting a tooth at the implant site is also calculated separately from the implant fee. Non-covered prices can be compared by institution in the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA, 건강보험심사평가원) non-covered medical fee information, so when you receive a quote, also check which items are included.

The total treatment cost of an insured implant is set by adding the procedure fee and the cost of the placed material, and the copay is 30% of that total. A National Health Insurance Service Q&A document gave the total cost per implant at a dental clinic as about 1.14 million to 1.28 million won in 2018; fees are adjusted every year, so check the current amount at the clinic where you will be treated.

What health conditions should I report before implant surgery?

The KDCA explains that diabetes slows wound healing, so blood sugar control comes first. Smoking is directly linked to implant failure, so quitting is necessary. If you take osteoporosis medication or injections, blood thinners, or heart or blood pressure medication, be sure to tell the dentist before surgery; whether to adjust the medication is decided jointly by your physician and the dentist.

Also hear in advance about the risks depending on the surgical site. In the lower jaw, a site close to the nerve canal may cause altered sensation, and in the upper back teeth area, sinusitis may newly develop or existing sinusitis may worsen.

How is an implant cared for after placement?

Around an implant the spaces between teeth are wide, so a toothbrush alone is not enough and floss and interdental brushes are needed. If you grind or clench your teeth, the prosthesis may break, so discuss it with the dentist.

Even after treatment ends, get a check-up every 3-6 months to check the bite and gum condition. Peri-implantitis often does not cause loosening until quite a lot of bone has been lost, so finding it early through check-ups is important.

For insured implants, if you have follow-up checks at the same clinic for 3 months after the prosthesis is placed, you pay only the consultation fee. After 3 months, prosthesis-related care is non-covered, while treatment and surgery for gum disease around the implant are handled under the corresponding covered items.

After brushing, clean around the implant daily with floss and interdental brushes
Clean the tongue-side surfaces and the very back using a mirror
Quit smoking, as it raises the risk of inflammation around the implant
If you see gum bleeding, swelling or pus, get seen without waiting for the next check-up

Detailed guides

Frequently asked questions

How many implants can health insurance cover in Korea?

For people aged 65 or older with partial edentulism, up to 2 for life. It is a lifetime total, not 2 per year, and cases where the procedure was unavoidably stopped on the dentist's medical judgment are not counted. If the patient cancels the registration themselves, it is counted toward the number.

Can I not get implant insurance if I have no teeth at all?

As of 2026, completely edentulous patients are excluded from implant coverage and use denture coverage instead. The Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to support 2 implants for edentulous older adults from January 2027, and said that for those who received insured complete dentures, it becomes possible 7 years after that.

Is insured implant coverage cancelled if I have a bone graft?

It is not cancelled. Only the cost of additional surgery such as a bone graft or sinus lift is paid as non-covered, and the implant procedure itself is still handled as covered. Whether additional surgery is needed is decided after checking the bone with a CT.

Can an implant be used for life?

The KDCA explains that implants are not permanent. How long one lasts depends on oral hygiene, smoking, chewing habits and regular check-ups, so care after placement determines its lifespan. The same source lists osseointegration failure, fracture of the fixture or prosthesis, and peri-implantitis as problems that can arise over time.

Can I move to another dental clinic during insured implant treatment?

In principle, all 3 stages must be completed at the clinic where you registered, and moving for personal reasons such as relocation makes coverage difficult. When it is not the patient's fault, such as a clinic closing, you can re-register at the new clinic and continue treatment.

When can I chew comfortably after getting an implant?

It takes about 1-2 months to adapt after the prosthesis is connected. For the first year, it is better to start with soft foods, chew on both sides, and avoid hard or tough foods. If you grind your teeth at night or clench during the day, tell the dentist beforehand, as it puts strain on the prosthesis.

References

Korean version →