Same-Day (One-Day) Dental Implants in Seoul
Same-day dental implants mean the implant is placed, often right after extraction, and a temporary tooth is attached the same day or within a week. The final crown follows after healing. At Lucid Dental Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, a full implant costs from about ₩1,190,000–1,490,000, if bone and stability allow.
Key facts
- Cochrane defines immediate loading as within 1 week, early as 1 week–2 months, conventional as after 2 months.
- The Cochrane review found no evidence of a difference in first-year failure between immediate and conventional loading (very low-quality evidence).
- High insertion torque (at least 35 Ncm) appears to be a prerequisite for immediate or early loading.
- The final crown is typically placed after the implant integrates with bone.
- A full implant at Lucid Dental (fixture, abutment, zirconia crown) costs from about ₩1,190,000–1,490,000 before grafting.
- The FDA advises patients to record their implant's brand and model.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Park Hyun-min, Prosthodontist, 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 does "same-day implant" actually mean?
"Same-day" or "one-day" implant usually describes one or both of two things: placing the implant on the same day a tooth is removed (immediate placement), and attaching a temporary tooth to the implant on the day of surgery or within a week (immediate loading). It rarely means the final crown is finished in one day.
The bone still needs time to bond to the implant surface, a process called osseointegration. The American Dental Association explains that some patients need to wait until the implant is fully integrated, up to several months, before replacement teeth are attached, while some patients can have both steps in a single visit. The final porcelain or zirconia crown is typically made after healing.
How does same-day compare with the conventional approach?
| Step | One-day approach (suitable cases) | Conventional approach |
|---|---|---|
| Extraction and implant | Often same day, if the socket and bone allow | Implant may be placed after the socket heals |
| Temporary tooth | Fixed temporary on the implant, same day or within a week | Removable temporary or gap during healing |
| Healing period | Still needed; temporary is kept out of heavy biting | Implant heals unloaded, commonly for about 2 months or more |
| Final crown | After healing | After healing |
| Main requirement | High initial stability and enough healthy bone | More flexible for weaker bone or grafted sites |
Is immediate loading as reliable as waiting?
For carefully selected patients, research has not found a clear difference. The key condition is a firmly anchored implant on the day of surgery.
A Cochrane systematic review of randomized trials defined immediate loading as within one week, early loading as one week to two months, and conventional loading as after two months. It found no evidence of a difference in implant or prosthesis failure in the first year between immediate and conventional loading. The authors noted that a high insertion torque (at least 35 Ncm) seems to be one of the prerequisites for successful immediate or early loading, and they rated the quality of evidence as very low. In plain terms: same-day protocols can work well in the right case, but they are not for everyone, and the decision is made in the chair based on how stable the implant is.
Who is a good candidate for same-day implants?
- Enough bone height and width to anchor the implant firmly.
- No active infection at the site that would prevent immediate placement.
- Good general health. The ADA notes that conditions such as diabetes can affect healing, and tobacco use can slow it.
- A bite that allows the temporary tooth to be kept out of heavy chewing contact.
- Willingness to follow a soft-food diet during healing.
If bone is thin or the sinus is low in the upper jaw, grafting may be needed first, which usually rules out a same-day tooth. See our guide to bone grafts and sinus lifts in Seoul.
What happens on the day? The One-Day Implant process at Lucid
- Remote review. Send recent X-rays or a CT scan and photos before you fly, if you have them.
- Exam and imaging in Seoul. Bone volume, nerves and sinuses are assessed, typically with 3D (CT) imaging.
- Planning. Implant position, size and brand are chosen. Read about Osstem vs MegaGen implants.
- Surgery. Under local anesthesia (conscious sedation is available), the tooth is removed if needed and the implant placed. Stability is measured.
- Temporary tooth. If stability is sufficient, a temporary crown may be attached. If not, the implant heals first; this is decided on the day.
- Healing and final crown. After the healing period, the custom abutment and zirconia crown are fitted, often on a second trip.
Lucid Dental Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, also lists plasma-activated implants among its services; ask at consultation whether this applies to your case.
How much do same-day implants cost at Lucid Dental?
A single implant (fixture + custom abutment + zirconia crown) costs from about ₩1,190,000 to ₩1,490,000 before any grafting, depending on the implant brand. That is roughly US$850–1,060 at about ₩1,400 per US dollar; check today's rate.
| Item | Reference price (KRW) |
|---|---|
| Implant fixture: MegaGen AnyOne | ₩590,000 |
| Implant fixture: Osstem BA | ₩690,000 |
| Implant fixture: Osstem SOI | ₩890,000 |
| Custom abutment | ₩100,000 |
| Zirconia crown for implant | ₩500,000 |
| Bone graft (if needed) | ₩300,000–450,000 |
These are reference "from" prices from our official fee table and are confirmed at consultation. See the full implant cost breakdown.
What should I know about flying and aftercare?
Expect some swelling and tenderness for a few days. Eat soft foods and avoid chewing on the temporary tooth. The ADA suggests soft foods, cold foods and warm soup during healing. Plan a few days in Seoul after surgery for a check, and read flying after dental treatment before booking your return. The FDA also advises asking your dentist for the brand and model of your implant and keeping that record; ask us to write it down for you. Our international patients guide covers the rest of your trip, and our dental implants page has treatment details.
Book a consultation
Send your X-rays or CT scan, and we can tell you whether a one-day approach may be possible before you book flights. Message Lucid Dental Clinic on WhatsApp at +82-10-8354-2975 or use our WhatsApp booking link. We are in front of Exit 3, Eonju Station (Line 9), in Gangnam, Seoul, and open Monday to Saturday, with late hours until 20:30 Tuesday to Thursday. Consultations are available in English, Japanese and Chinese.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a permanent implant tooth in one day?
Usually no. What is typically placed on the day is a temporary tooth. The final crown is made after the bone has healed around the implant, which commonly takes a few months.
Does a same-day implant hurt?
The surgery is done under local anesthesia, and conscious sedation is available for anxious patients. Soreness and swelling for a few days afterward are common and are usually managed with prescribed or over-the-counter pain relief.
Can back teeth have same-day implants?
Sometimes, but molars take heavy biting forces and the bone can be softer, especially in the upper jaw. Your dentist may prefer to let back-tooth implants heal before loading. This is decided after a CT scan.
What if my implant is not stable enough on the day?
Then the implant is left to heal without a fixed temporary tooth, and the crown is placed later. This is a normal, safe adjustment, not a failure of treatment.
How many trips to Korea do same-day implants need?
Most visitors need two trips: one for surgery and the temporary tooth, and one after healing for the final crown. See our implant timeline guide for typical stay lengths.
Can I choose the implant brand?
Yes. Lucid lists MegaGen AnyOne, Osstem BA and Osstem SOI fixtures, and the dentist will explain which suits your bone and plan.