Single Tooth Implant in Korea
Replace one missing tooth without grinding down the teeth next to it. A single implant, abutment and custom crown, planned with 3D CT and made in our in-house lab in Gangnam.
- Since 2002
- 13 dentists
- In-house lab
- EN · 中文 · 日本語
Is a single tooth implant better than a bridge for one missing tooth?
For most adults with enough bone, a single implant is preferred because it replaces the root and leaves neighbouring teeth untouched, while a bridge needs both adjacent teeth ground down. At Gangnam One Day Dental Clinic, a single implant usually takes 2 trips over 2 to 6 months. A bridge is faster but typically needs replacing sooner.
Reviewed by Dr. Kim Jin-hwan , Chief Director · Updated October 5, 2026
Implant or bridge: how to decide
A dental bridge fills a gap by crowning the two teeth on either side. It is quick, usually done in about one week, and needs no surgery. But it removes healthy enamel, and the bone under the gap keeps shrinking because no root stimulates it.
A single implant stands on its own. It replaces the root, helps preserve the bone, and is cleaned like a natural tooth with floss. It takes longer and involves minor surgery, so the choice depends on your bone, your neighbouring teeth and your timeline.
- Neighbouring teeth already heavily filled or crowned: a bridge may make sense
- Neighbouring teeth healthy: an implant avoids cutting them
- Not enough bone and no wish for grafting: a bridge may be simpler
What a single implant is made of
The implant fixture is a titanium screw placed in the jawbone. We use OSSTEM or MegaGen systems and can treat the implant surface with PlasmaOne vacuum plasma before placement. An abutment connects the implant to the crown.
The crown is designed from an intraoral scan and milled in our Oneday Lab. Zirconia is common for back teeth because it is strong; layered all-ceramic is often chosen for front teeth for natural translucency. The bite on the new crown is then checked with T-Scan Novus, so it does not take more force than the teeth around it.
Not sure if this is right for you? Send a photo or X-ray — a dentist replies on WhatsApp in English, Chinese or Japanese.
Get a free opinionFront tooth versus back tooth implants
Front tooth implants are mainly about appearance: gum shape, crown colour and the thin bone on the outer side. A temporary tooth is often fitted so you are never without a front tooth; ask about same-day implants if this matters to you.
Back tooth implants are mainly about strength. Molars take the highest bite forces, and in the upper jaw the sinus may limit bone height, which can require a sinus lift or bone grafting.
| Single implant | 3-unit bridge | |
|---|---|---|
| Neighbouring teeth | Untouched | Both ground down for crowns |
| Surgery | Yes, minor | No |
| Time to final tooth | Typically 2–6 months | Usually about 1 week |
| Bone under the gap | Helps preserve it | Continues to shrink |
| Cleaning | Floss like a natural tooth | Needs floss threader under the bridge |
| Typical lifespan | Often 15+ years | Often 10–15 years |
How it works at Oneday Dental
- Before travel
X-ray review
Send an X-ray of the area on WhatsApp for a provisional plan and estimate.
- Visit 1
3D CT and implant placement
After the 3D CT, the implant is placed under local anaesthesia, typically in 20 to 40 minutes.
- 2–6 months
Osseointegration
The bone bonds to the implant. Stitches, if used, come out after about 7 to 10 days.
- Visit 2
Scan and crown
An intraoral scan is taken and the crown is made in Oneday Lab, often within the same visit.
- Visit 2
Bite check
The crown is fitted and the bite balanced with T-Scan Novus digital occlusion analysis.
Things to know before you decide
- If the tooth was lost long ago, the bone may have shrunk and grafting can add 3–6 months.
- Upper back teeth near the sinus may need a sinus lift.
- Active gum disease elsewhere in the mouth should be treated first.
- Heavy grinding can overload a single implant crown; a night guard may be advised.
- Smoking slows healing and raises the risk of implant failure.
Experience you can check
- 2002Founded in Gangnam — 24 years
- 13Dentists in 5 departments
- 3Clinic buildings, 1,570 m²
- 0.01 mmT-Scan bite-force detail
Vice President, Korean Academy of Stomatognathic Function & Occlusion · author on T-Scan implant occlusion (IGI Global)
Single-Tooth Implant: common questions
How long does a single tooth implant take in Korea?
How much does a single tooth implant cost?
Will I have a gap while the implant heals?
Can an old extraction site still take an implant?
Which crown material will I get?
You may also want to read
Dental Implants
Dental implants in Seoul with OSSTEM or MegaGen, 3D CT planning and an in-house lab in Gangnam since 2002.
Learn more →Dental Bridges
Dental bridges in Gangnam, Seoul: traditional, implant-supported, cantilever and Maryland bridges in zirconia…
Learn more →Same-Day Implants
Same-day implants in Seoul: extraction, implant and temporary tooth in one visit when bone allows.
Learn more →Bone Grafting
Bone grafting in Gangnam, Seoul: socket preservation, GBR, ridge augmentation and sinus lift, planned on 3D CT.
Learn more →Dental Crowns
Dental crowns in Gangnam, Seoul: zirconia and all-ceramic crowns milled in our in-house lab, often in one day.
Learn more →OSSTEM Implants
OSSTEM dental implants in Gangnam, Seoul: Korean-made system, 3D CT planning, same-day loading when bone allows.
Learn more →Browse: Dental Implants · Cosmetic Dentistry · Orthodontics · Gum Care · General Dentistry · International Patients · Home
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