How much is teeth cleaning in Seoul for foreigners?

Foreign residents enrolled in NHIS aged 19 and over get one insured scaling per calendar year, so the out-of-pocket cost is small. Visitors without NHIS pay the full fee, which is explained when you book.

How often should I get a cleaning?

Usually every 6 to 12 months. Smokers, people in orthodontic treatment, and those with gum disease may need it every 3 to 4 months.

Will scaling make my teeth sensitive or create gaps?

If there was heavy tartar, teeth may feel sensitive or gaps may look larger for a while, because the original gum line is now visible. Scaling does not grind teeth, and sensitivity usually settles.

Who performs scaling in Korea?

By law, scaling may only be performed by a dentist or a licensed dental hygienist.

Teeth Cleaning (Scaling) in Jamsil, Seoul

Location

#206, A-dong, Galleria Palace, 212 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul · 5-minute walk from Jamsil Station, Exit 4

Dentist

SNU School of Dentistry · prosthodontics-trained at Asan Medical Center, Dr. Byungwook Lee treats patients personally

Hours

Mon·Tue·Wed·Fri 09:30-18:30 · Sat 09:00-13:00 · closed Thu, Sun & holidays

Cost · Insurance

NHIS covers one scaling per calendar year for members aged 19+ (resets every January 1) · additional treatment is separate

Booking · Parking

Book by phone +82-2-2145-4501 · 2 hours free parking at Galleria Palace

Galleria Dental Clinic offers teeth cleaning (scaling) a 5-minute walk from Jamsil Station (Exit 4) in Songpa, Seoul. Scaling uses an ultrasonic instrument to remove tartar (hardened plaque) and stains along the gum line. Tartar cannot be removed by brushing, and left alone it leads to gum inflammation and periodontitis.

Illustration of ultrasonic scaling removing tartar along the boundary of tooth and gum — Scaling removes tartar along the gum line.

Signs it is time for a cleaning

your gums bleed when you brush
your gums look swollen or red
you notice bad breath
yellow tartar or stains are visible on your teeth

Scaling vs gum treatment

	Scaling	Gum (periodontal) treatment
Where	Tartar above the gum line	Tartar and inflamed tissue below the gum line
Anesthesia	Usually not needed	Local anesthesia
Insurance (NHIS)	Once a year, age 19+	Covered as a separate item

If inflammation has reached below the gum line, scaling alone is not enough and gum treatment may be added. Which step you need is explained after the exam.

Does scaling damage teeth?

No. The ultrasonic scaler shakes tartar off with vibration; it does not grind the tooth. If there was a lot of tartar, the spaces it filled may look open and teeth may feel sensitive for a while. That is the original gum condition showing, and sensitivity usually eases within days to a couple of weeks.

For international patients: if you are enrolled in Korea's National Health Insurance (NHIS), insured treatments are billed the same way as for Korean patients, so please bring your residence card (ARC). Visitors without NHIS pay the full fee. See Fees & insurance.

※ Treatment fees and outcomes depend on each patient's oral condition, and this page does not guarantee results. Exact details are explained after an in-person exam and CT diagnosis.

Teeth Cleaning (Scaling) in Jamsil

Signs it is time for a cleaning

Scaling vs gum treatment

Does scaling damage teeth?

Teeth cleaning FAQ

A cleaning a year keeps your gums healthy