Dental emergencies can happen without warning—sudden tooth pain, swelling, infection, trauma, or a broken tooth. In Korea, emergency dental care is widely available, but costs can vary depending on timing, severity, and the type of treatment required.



Below is a clear, clinic-ready explanation of emergency dentist charges in Korea, written for easy copy and paste.

What Counts as a Dental Emergency?

Emergency dental visits typically involve urgent conditions that require immediate attention, such as:

Severe toothache or nerve pain
Dental abscess or facial swelling
Broken, cracked, or knocked-out teeth
Uncontrolled bleeding after extraction
Lost fillings or crowns causing pain
Infection with fever or spreading inflammation

Emergency care focuses on pain relief, infection control, and stabilization, rather than completing full restorative treatment in one visit.

Typical Emergency Dentist Charges in Korea

In Korea, emergency dental visit costs generally range from:

KRW 50,000 to KRW 400,000+ per visit

The final amount depends on what treatment is needed during the emergency appointment.

Common Emergency Treatments and Cost Ranges

Emergency consultation and examination fees typically range from KRW 30,000 to KRW 70,000, especially if the visit occurs outside normal clinic hours.

Emergency X-rays, which are often required to diagnose pain or infection, may add KRW 10,000 to KRW 60,000, depending on the type of imaging used.

Pain relief treatments such as temporary fillings, medication application, or bite adjustment usually cost KRW 50,000 to KRW 150,000.

Emergency tooth extraction costs vary based on difficulty. Simple extractions typically range from KRW 50,000 to KRW 120,000, while surgical or infected extractions may range from KRW 100,000 to KRW 350,000+.

Emergency root canal opening or drainage to relieve pain and pressure usually costs KRW 150,000 to KRW 300,000+, depending on the tooth and severity of infection.

Temporary crown or filling replacement to protect a damaged tooth generally ranges from KRW 50,000 to KRW 200,000.

After-Hours, Weekend, and Holiday Fees

Emergency dental visits outside normal weekday hours often include after-hours or weekend surcharges.

Typical additional charges include:

Saturday visits: KRW 30,000 – KRW 70,000
Sunday or public holiday visits: KRW 50,000 – KRW 150,000+

Late-night emergency visits: higher fees depending on clinic policy

These fees are usually added on top of the base treatment cost.

What Emergency Treatment Usually Includes

Emergency dental charges generally cover:

Urgent examination and diagnosis
Immediate pain or infection control
Temporary or stabilizing treatment
Prescription medication if needed
Clear explanation of follow-up treatment plans

Definitive treatments—such as full root canal completion, crowns, or implants—are usually scheduled for later visits and billed separately.

Insurance and Payment in Korea

For patients covered under Korean National Health Insurance, some emergency treatments (such as basic examinations or extractions) may be partially covered, depending on eligibility and procedure type.

Foreign patients or visitors without Korean insurance typically pay full private clinic rates.

Advanced treatments, sedation, or cosmetic repairs during emergency visits are usually not insured and paid out of pocket.

How to Reduce Emergency Dental Costs

Seek treatment as early as possible before symptoms worsen
Ask whether temporary treatment can stabilize the issue before full treatment
Confirm after-hours fees when booking an emergency appointment
Follow up promptly to avoid repeat emergency visits

Early intervention often prevents higher costs later.

Final Thoughts

Emergency dentist charges in Korea typically range from KRW 50,000 to KRW 400,000+ per visit, depending on the severity of the problem, required treatment, and timing of the visit. Weekend and after-hours care usually involves additional fees.

While emergency dental care may cost more than routine visits, prompt treatment can prevent serious complications and reduce overall treatment expenses. Clear communication with the clinic before treatment will help you understand what to expect and plan accordingly.