Told the tooth “has to come out”?
Have it checked once more here.
Plazen plasma endodontics, held by only about 400 clinics nationwide, and the only complete EMS Airflow system in Seongbuk-gu — completely different general dentistry at the same national insurance cost. Since 1998, with no over-treatment.
zero additional cost
free guarantee
only full system in Seongbuk-gu
for 28 years
Has any of this happened to you?
If even one applies, it is a symptom our general dentistry deals with.
- A composite filling fell out again within a year of being placed
- You once gave up halfway through a scaling because it hurt
- You were told “this tooth is better out than treated”
- You keep postponing a wisdom tooth because you hear the swelling lasts
- Your jaw makes a noise and you are getting by on painkillers
- Your denture is loose and you worry about it at every meal
About Seongmo Dental Clinic
Seongmo Dental Clinic opened in 1998 and is located on the 3rd floor at 2 Dongsomun-ro 20ga-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, a 30-second walk from Exit 2 of Sungshin Women’s University Station.
Across every area — decay, root canal treatment, scaling, wisdom tooth extraction and TMJ care — we operate the Plazen RCT® plasma root canal device, introduced in about 400 clinics nationwide, and the only complete EMS Airflow system in Seongbuk-gu, providing premium care within the range of costs covered by national health insurance.
The core principle of our general dentistry is minimising pain throughout treatment with a painless system in which a specialist in Advanced General Dentistry applies the i-ject 31G ultra-fine painless injection unit and the QuickSleeper intraosseous unit in stages.
Why we treat even a single filling differently
If you thought all composite fillings were the same — a filling with a five-year guarantee will be a first.
Our caries treatment screens for fine cracks with Q-ray fluorescence analysis and uses Bondfill elastic composite, which lowers the risk of debonding compared with ordinary composite, and we provide a five-year free guarantee.
People tend to treat “just filling a cavity” lightly, but this small procedure determines the lifetime of the tooth. How precisely the decay is removed, and how completely the enamel margin is light-cured and bonded, changes how long the tooth survives.
Following a preservation-first principle before considering root canal treatment, we screen for fine cracks with Q-ray diagnosis and apply elastic composite first to prevent unnecessary pulp exposure, concentrating on keeping tooth reduction to a minimum so the natural structural stability of the tooth is maintained.
“It fell out again?” — Bondfill, the composite that stays put
Bondfill is an elastic composite with 4-META/MMA-TBB chemistry. It stays flexible after curing and responds together with chewing forces, so it holds its bond better than ordinary rigid composite and debonds far less often at the tooth neck.
Shock absorption
It flexes together with the tooth as you chew, preventing debonding.
Powerful adhesion
It seals without gaps, blocking sensitivity and secondary decay.
Five-year free guarantee
Confidence that it will not fall out — we offer a five-year free guarantee on Bondfill.
| Category | A typical case | Seongmo Dental Clinic |
|---|---|---|
| Caries treatment | Ordinary composite filling | Bondfill elastic composite · 5-year guarantee |
| Scaling | Ultrasonic only | EMS Airflow triple system · 37°C warm water |
| Root canal treatment | File technique | Plazen plasma + premium MTA |
| Wisdom tooth extraction | Air turbine only | Electric motor + 3D CT nerve analysis |
| Anesthesia | Ordinary injection | Topical → i-ject → QuickSleeper, three stages |
In short, the smaller the cavity, the more it matters that it is done properly — that is the first step in preserving a tooth.
How does EMS scaling differ from ordinary scaling?
If you have been putting off scaling because it hurts — different equipment means a different experience.
Our EMS Airflow scaling combines a 37°C warm water spray (Piezon NO PAIN) with 14μm erythritol powder (Perioflow) to remove biofilm without abrading the tooth surface, and we provide the only complete system in Seongbuk-gu at no additional charge.
EMS Airflow is a complete powder-scaling system developed by EMS of Switzerland. We follow the Swiss EMS Airflow® GBT protocol, and EMS Airflow reduces wear on cementum and tooth surfaces compared with conventional hand instruments that scrape with sharp tips.
Swollen, bleeding gums are often caused by calculus accumulated deep in the periodontal pocket and by subgingival biofilm, which ordinary ultrasonic scaling alone struggles to remove completely. We remove calculus while protecting the periodontal ligament, under a GBT sterilisation and management protocol consistent with Korean Dental Association guidelines.
37°C warm water spray
Water close to body temperature is supplied constantly, markedly reducing the sensitivity caused by cold stimulation.
Piezon® intelligent power
A sensor detects the state of the tooth in real time and responds selectively to hard calculus only, without damaging the tooth.
Perioflow® powder
14μm erythritol powder removes biofilm deep in the periodontal pocket non-invasively.
Dedicated Airflow® nozzle
Bacterial films beneath the gum and around implants, where ordinary instruments struggle to reach, are managed without mechanical damage.
In short, you can receive all of this premium care at exactly the cost of ordinary scaling.
Is Plazen root canal treatment covered by national health insurance?
A tooth another clinic gave up on — equipment held by only about 400 clinics nationwide takes another look.
We apply Plazen (Plazen RCT®) plasma root canal treatment at exactly the national health insurance endodontic fee with no additional charge. Sterilising even the finest canals with equipment introduced in only about 400 clinics nationwide is the key difference.
Compared with the file-only approach, Plazen sterilises even the fine branches of the canal system in around a minute, which raises the chance of saving a natural tooth even where pulpal infection is deep. As a matter of principle we use premium MTA as the canal filling material.
Under Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service rules root canal treatment is covered by national insurance, and we provide it at the same fee even when the Plazen unit is used. We also perform demanding procedures that other clinics have given up on, including retreatment, apicoectomy and intentional replantation.
If root canal treatment is abandoned, the only remaining option is extraction followed by an implant, which is not covered by insurance. Treatment that protects the natural tooth is also far less of a financial burden.
Plasma root canal treatment in six steps
- Precise diagnosis — canal morphology and the extent of infection are established with Q-ray fluorescence analysis and 3D CT.
- Painless anesthesia — i-ject (painless) and QuickSleeper (intraosseous) are applied in stages.
- Canal shaping — the canal is shaped precisely with nickel-titanium files.
- Plazen plasma sterilisation — Plazen RCT® sterilises even the fine branches with plasma energy.
- MTA filling — the canal is sealed densely with premium MTA material.
- Restoration planning — we advise on a crown, onlay or other restoration to protect the tooth.
Key terms
- Plazen RCT® — an endodontic support device that sterilises the inside of the canal with plasma energy, reaching fine branches that files cannot; introduced in only about 400 units nationwide.
- MTA — a premium canal filling material with high biocompatibility. It seals the source of inflammation densely and promotes healing. We use MTA as a matter of principle even though it costs more.
- Intentional replantation — a demanding treatment in which the tooth is extracted, the canal treatment completed outside the mouth, and the tooth replanted in its original position. We combine Plazen® treatment beforehand.
- QuickSleeper — an intraosseous anesthesia unit that delivers anesthetic directly into the jawbone. It takes effect quickly and keeps the numbed area to a minimum.
The full list of equipment held by Seongmo Dental Clinic
Plazen (Plazen RCT®), Primescan (3D intraoral scanner), EMS Airflow (complete powder scaler system), Q-ray (quantitative light-induced fluorescence analyser), QuickSleeper (intraosseous anesthesia unit), i-ject (painless injection unit), 3D printer, ACTILINK (plasma activator), EXPlasma Z7 (plasma steriliser), HDX Dentri (3D CT), Osstem Beautis Light (high-intensity whitening units, three of them), electric motor, shadowless light (Dentis Luvis-S300).
In short, Plazen sterilises finer canals than the file-only method — and we provide it at exactly the national insurance cost.
How can swelling and pain be reduced after a wisdom tooth extraction?
Extraction costs the same everywhere. Swelling and recovery are not the same.
We analyse the position of the inferior alveolar nerve in advance with 3D CT and shorten operating time through electric-motor speed control — slow near risky structures, fast in safe areas — to keep tissue damage to a minimum. Shortening surgery time is the key principle for reducing swelling and pain.
Wisdom tooth extraction is covered by national insurance, so the cost is the same anywhere. The experience and the recovery, however, cannot be. An electric motor with precisely controlled rotation speed causes less tissue damage than an air turbine alone — fast in safe areas, slow in the risky zone next to the nerve.
We analyse the three-dimensional distance between the inferior alveolar nerve and the wisdom tooth roots with 3D CT before treatment, and use precision extraction instruments from Directa of Sweden and Hu-Friedy to avoid unnecessary bone removal. The more difficult the wisdom tooth, the more equipment and technique determine the speed of recovery.
From straightforward cases to university-hospital-level difficulty, we design safety from the data.
What treatments are available for the jaw joint?
A jaw you are getting through on painkillers — the cause lies elsewhere.
After precise diagnosis with CT, history-taking, auscultation and inspection, we select from ten treatments — splints, botox, injection therapy and more — not as a fixed sequence but as independent options matched to the patient’s condition.
- Precise diagnosis — CT imaging with history, auscultation and inspection to identify the root cause.
- Conservative medication — support for the body’s natural recovery in early and acute pain.
- PHL combined physiotherapy and spray-and-stretch — low-level laser, infrared and electrical stimulation with cooling-spray stretching.
- Custom splint — guides the joint into its most stable position and releases muscle tension.
- ARS anterior repositioning appliance — for non-reducing disc displacement, made in house.
- Snoring splint — secures airway space without surgery.
- Jaw-closing muscle botox — masseter, temporalis and medial pterygoid together, not one third of the problem.
- Jaw-opening muscle botox — for cases where the opening muscles are involved.
- Precision injection therapy — intra-articular injection, prolotherapy and trigger point injection (TPI).
- Advanced manual and specialist procedures — closed reduction, joint lavage and other demanding techniques.
Once the jaw joint is damaged it is hard to restore — please come while it is still mild.
Are demanding full dentures possible too?
Difficult dentures that other clinics turned down are seen through to the end here.
From partial dentures and overdentures to demanding full dentures and IARPD (implant-assisted removable partial dentures), we fabricate in collaboration with a laboratory dedicated to dentures.
A good denture does more than fill the gap left by missing teeth; it has to be comfortable, with no sense of a foreign body. We design the optimal denture for each patient, taking the shape of the gums and chewing habits into account.
Partial dentures and overdentures (press-stud dentures) of course, but also the demanding full dentures and IARPD cases other clinics are reluctant to take on. Close collaboration with our partner denture laboratory completes a denture that is comfortable and fits well.
We take careful responsibility for the adaptation period as well.
Four promises in answer to your worries about general dentistry
Before the promises, what we do not do: unnecessary crowns, touching a healthy nerve, consultations designed to frighten you.
We promise honesty
3D CT and Q-ray quantify your oral condition as three-dimensional data, so the treatment plan is objective and free of over-treatment.
We promise comfort
37°C warm water EMS scaling and the i-ject and QuickSleeper painless anesthesia systems minimise the fear of treatment.
We respect your time
A 3D intraoral scanner and digital printing remove the need for rubber impressions and shorten the number of visits.
We promise safety
All instruments are managed in double and triple layers, including a plasma steriliser, to block any possibility of infection.
“If a natural tooth can be saved, we save it to the end. Not over-treating — that is the single principle we have kept since 1998.” — Director, specialist in Advanced General Dentistry
How far does national health insurance cover general dentistry?
We do not hide costs — from the scope of insurance coverage to the full non-covered fee table, everything is published.
Among our general treatments, root canal treatment, scaling (once a year) and wisdom tooth extraction are covered by national insurance, and there is zero additional cost for the use of Plazen. Non-covered item fees are published in full on our fee guide page.
| Treatment item | National insurance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Root canal treatment (including Plazen) | Covered | Zero additional cost for Plazen |
| Scaling | Covered once a year | Aged 19 and over, per HIRA criteria |
| Wisdom tooth extraction | Covered | Fee varies with difficulty |
| Dentures | Covered from age 65 | 30% patient contribution |
| Bondfill, veneers and similar | Not covered | Full fee table published |
Frequently asked questions
A 30-second summary — why Seongmo: Plazen plasma root canal treatment (about 400 clinics nationwide, same insured cost); EMS Airflow scaling (the only full system in Seongbuk-gu, no extra charge); electric-motor wisdom tooth extraction (3D CT nerve analysis, minimal tissue damage); three-stage painless anesthesia (topical → i-ject → QuickSleeper intraosseous).
Decay — my cavity does not hurt. Does it really need treatment?
We do not decide treatment by whether it hurts. It may be a small cavity that has only just begun, but it may equally be a serious state in which the nerve has already died and you cannot feel pain. We analyse caries activity precisely with advanced diagnostic equipment and promise a diagnosis free of over-treatment.
Decay — can a cavity come back where it was already treated?
Yes. When the material reaches the end of its life or a gap forms, secondary decay can occur. Bondfill elastic composite minimises gaps, and regular Q-ray check-ups identify secondary decay early.
Gums — my gums are swollen and bleeding. Will scaling solve it?
Swelling and bleeding are often caused by calculus and biofilm, so scaling is the first step. We manage even deep areas of the periodontal pocket with the complete EMS Airflow system, and where periodontitis has progressed we combine periodontal treatment.
Gums — what happens if I leave bad gums untreated?
Periodontal disease slowly dissolves the alveolar bone that supports the teeth. Left alone, the gums recede, teeth loosen and extraction can follow. We recommend regular scaling and periodontal treatment to stop progression even without symptoms.
Nerve — is Plazen root canal treatment covered by national insurance?
Yes. We apply exactly the insured endodontic fee with no additional charge. Demanding cases other clinics gave up on — retreatment, apicoectomy, intentional replantation — are also possible.
Nerve — what makes the MTA material used in root canal treatment different?
MTA is a premium canal filling material with high biocompatibility; it seals the canal, the source of inflammation, densely and supports the body’s healing response. It is advantageous in lowering the chance of recurrence, so we use it as a matter of principle even though it costs more.
Wisdom teeth — the area around my wisdom tooth is swollen and painful. Can it be extracted the same day?
We analyse the nerve position with 3D CT on the day, and where the state of inflammation allows same-day extraction we proceed immediately. Where acute inflammation is severe, it is safer to settle it with medication first and then extract.
Wisdom teeth — do they always have to be removed?
Not all wisdom teeth need to come out. But where they erupt at an angle or stay buried in the gum and are hard to clean, they readily cause decay in the molar in front and gum inflammation. We check the position and condition with 3D CT and judge objectively whether extraction is needed.
TMJ — is jaw botox different at a dental clinic and a plastic surgery clinic?
Cosmetic botox is usually injected into the masseter only. There are three jaw-closing muscles including the masseter, so injecting the masseter alone is a one-third treatment. We inject all three precisely to address the underlying cause.
TMJ — can I use an over-the-counter bruxism mouthpiece?
We do not recommend it. Off-the-shelf mouthpieces are made of soft material and can make bruxism worse. A dental splint is a rigid medical appliance made after precise analysis of your own occlusion, guiding the joint into a stable position.
TMJ — my mouth suddenly will not open. What should I do?
It may be non-reducing disc displacement, where the disc has slipped out completely and is caught. Treatment becomes harder if the moment passes, so please come as soon as you can. We make the ARS appliance in house to guide the disc back into place.
Dentures — are full dentures possible here?
Yes. Including the full dentures many clinics find burdensome, as well as IARPD (implant-assisted partial dentures) and overdentures. Working with a dedicated denture laboratory, we take responsibility through the adaptation period too.
Under Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service criteria, implants are covered by national insurance from age 65, and insured fees are also set for root canal treatment and scaling. Sterilisation and infection control protocols consistent with Korean Dental Association guidelines are applied across all of our treatment.
※ All dental treatment can involve side effects such as bleeding, infection or nerve irritation depending on individual oral and general health conditions. Wisdom tooth extraction may require referral to a university hospital depending on nerve position, and the success of root canal treatment can vary with the state of the root and the extent of infection. Please decide your specific treatment plan after a full consultation with your clinician.
This page was updated with the latest information as of July 2026.
3rd floor, 2 Dongsomun-ro 20ga-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul — a 30-second walk from Exit 2 of Sungshin Women’s University Station. Seongmo Dental Clinic (02-922-3966) has continued general dentistry that protects natural teeth in the same place since 1998.