Broken or Chipped Tooth in Seoul: What to Do and Where to Go

If you chip or break a tooth in Seoul, rinse with warm water, keep any fragment in milk, and contact a dentist the same day. Lucid Dental Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, can often see urgent cases during opening hours, but it is not a 24-hour ER. For facial trauma or uncontrolled bleeding, call 119.

Key facts

  • Korea's ambulance and fire number is 119; interpreters are available for foreign callers.
  • 1330 (+82-2-1330 from abroad) is the Korea Tourism Organization travel helpline offering interpretation.
  • Lucid Dental is open Mon–Sat and public holidays, closed Sundays; it is not a 24-hour emergency room.
  • Resin repair starts from ₩60,000–150,000 per tooth; inlays from ₩300,000 (confirm at consultation).
  • Keep a broken fragment or knocked-out tooth moist in milk or saliva and see a dentist quickly.
  • Clinic is directly in front of Exit 3, Eonju Station, Line 9.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Park Hyun-min, Prosthodontist, Chief Dentist at Lucid Dental Clinic. Last reviewed September 27, 2026. This page is general information, not a diagnosis; individual results vary, and a consultation and exam are required.

What should I do right after I break or chip a tooth in Seoul?

Stay calm, rinse with warm water, save any broken piece in milk or saliva, and contact a dentist the same day. Most chips are not life-threatening, but the sooner a dentist sees the tooth, the more options you usually keep.

  1. Rinse gently with warm water to clean the area, as the American Dental Association advises.
  2. Find the fragment. If a piece broke off, put it in a small container of milk or your own saliva. The NHS recommends this so a dentist can check whether it can be bonded back on.
  3. Control swelling with a cold compress on the cheek, 10–20 minutes at a time.
  4. Protect the tooth. Eat soft food on the other side and avoid very hot or cold drinks.
  5. Take over-the-counter pain relief if needed, following the packet. Korean pharmacies (약국, yakguk ) sell common pain relievers.
  6. Message a dentist with a photo of the tooth and a short description of what happened.

When is a broken tooth a real emergency that needs 119?

Call 119(ambulance and fire, free from any phone in Korea) if the dental injury comes with a head injury, loss of consciousness, a suspected broken jaw, bleeding you cannot control, or swelling that affects breathing or swallowing. Those situations belong in a hospital emergency room, not a dental chair.

119 can connect foreign callers to interpreters; Seoul's 119 service reports that English is the most requested language for its interpreted calls. If you need help that is not life-threatening, such as translating for a pharmacist or finding your way, the Korea Tourism Organization's 1330 Travel Helpline(1330 inside Korea, +82-2-1330 from a foreign phone) offers interpretation by phone and chat. You may also see 1339 listed on older travel lists: today it is the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's 24/7 call center for infectious-disease and travel-health questions, while emergency medical calls go to 119.

Can Lucid Dental see a broken tooth the same day?

Often, yes, during opening hours, but it depends on that day's schedule, so message first. Lucid Dental Clinic is a regular dental clinic, not a 24-hour emergency room. We are open Monday to Saturday and on public holidays with shorter hours, and closed Sundays and over the Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays.

Day Opening hours Good to know
Monday, Friday 10:00–18:00 Lunch break 13:00–14:00
Tuesday–Thursday 10:00–20:30 Late evenings, lunch 13:00–14:00
Saturday & public holidays 10:00–16:00 No lunch break
Sunday, Lunar New Year, Chuseok Closed Use 119 for true emergencies; 1330 for interpretation help

If you message us on WhatsApp at +82-10-8354-2975 with a photo, our team can tell you whether we can fit you in and what to bring. See our emergency dentist in Gangnam page for more on urgent visits.

How do dentists fix a chipped or broken tooth?

The repair depends on how much tooth is missing and whether the nerve is exposed. After an exam and, usually, an X-ray, the dentist explains the options before starting.

Type of break Typical signs Common repair Usual visits
Small enamel chip Rough edge, little or no pain Smoothing or composite bonding Often one visit
Larger fracture, nerve not exposed Sensitivity to cold or biting Resin filling, inlay/onlay, or a crown One to several visits
Fracture into the nerve Pain, pink or red spot, bleeding in the tooth Root canal treatment, then a crown Several visits over days
Split or vertical root fracture Pain when biting, gum swelling Sometimes extraction and a replacement tooth Planned in stages

A dentist may also bond the original fragment back on if it was kept moist and fits well. For front teeth with larger damage, some patients later choose a crown or veneer for appearance; that is a separate, non-urgent decision.

How much does broken tooth repair cost at Lucid Dental?

Costs depend on the repair. Reference "from" prices on our official non-covered fee table include resin (composite) restorations at ₩60,000–150,000 per tooth and inlays at ₩300,000. At roughly ₩1,400 per US$, resin works out to about US$43–107 (check today's rate). Crowns and root canal treatment are quoted after the exam, because the work needed varies a lot. Every price is confirmed at consultation before treatment starts, and expats enrolled in Korean national health insurance may have some items covered. Our 2026 dental price list explains more.

What if the tooth was knocked out completely?

Treat a knocked-out adult tooth as the most urgent kind of dental injury. Pick it up by the crown (the white part), not the root. If it is dirty, rinse it briefly without scrubbing. The ADA suggests trying to place it back in the socket; if you cannot, keep it moist in milk or between your cheek and gum and get to a dentist immediately. NHS guidance notes that the sooner this happens, the more likely the tooth is to re-attach. Do not try to replant a baby tooth.

I'm flying home soon. Should I still get it fixed in Korea?

Usually, a stable temporary or permanent repair before a long flight is sensible, especially if the tooth is sharp or sensitive. Tell us your departure date. If root canal treatment is needed and time is short, the dentist can place a sealed temporary and give you English notes and X-rays for your home dentist. Read toothache while traveling in Korea and our international patients guide for travel planning tips.

Getting here

Take Seoul Subway Line 9 to Eonju Station; Exit 3 opens directly in front of the COWAY Building. Eonju sits between Sinnonhyeon and Seonjeongneung on Line 9, and it is walkable from much of the Gangnam and Yeoksam area.

Book a consultation

Send a photo of the broken tooth and your travel dates so we can advise on timing. Message us on WhatsApp at +82-10-8354-2975 or use our WhatsApp booking link. Lucid Dental Clinic is on the 3rd–4th floors of the COWAY Building, 606 Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, directly in front of Exit 3 of Eonju Station (Line 9). Hours: Mon & Fri 10:00–18:00, Tue–Thu 10:00–20:30, Sat & public holidays 10:00–16:00; closed Sundays.

Frequently asked questions

Is a chipped tooth an emergency?

A small chip without pain is usually not an emergency, but it should be checked within a few days so a sharp edge doesn't cut your tongue or let the crack spread. Pain, bleeding from inside the tooth, or a large missing piece should be seen the same day if possible.

Can I go to a hospital emergency room in Korea for a broken tooth?

Hospital ERs focus on life-threatening problems like jaw fractures, head injuries and serious bleeding. For a broken tooth alone, a dental clinic is normally the right place. If you are unsure, call 119, which can arrange interpretation.

Do I need to bring anything to the appointment?

Bring your passport or residence card, any broken fragment kept in milk, a list of medicines you take, and your travel dates. If you have Korean national health insurance, your registration card or number helps us check coverage.

Will fixing a broken tooth hurt?

Repairs are done under local anesthesia, so most patients feel pressure rather than sharp pain. Some soreness afterward is common. Tell the dentist if you are nervous; we can explain each step before we start.

Can a broken front tooth be fixed so it looks natural?

In many cases, yes. Tooth-colored composite bonding can rebuild small to moderate chips, and larger damage may need a crown or veneer. The dentist will show you options after the exam, and individual results vary.

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