What should you look for in a consultation to find a good dental clinic?
In most cases, you can judge within a 20–30 minute consultation. I tell patients to check the following five things.
- Do they show you the evidence? They put the X-rays and photos on the screen and point out which tooth is the problem and why.
- Do they talk about alternatives? Not just one treatment, but two or three methods with the pros and cons of each, including the option of not treating and monitoring.
- Do they talk about limits and side effects? They bring up unfavorable information first too, such as sensitivity, the possibility of retreatment, and how long it lasts.
- Do they separate what's urgent from what isn't? They distinguish what must be done today from what can be done later.
- Do they avoid pressuring you to decide? They don't rush you with lines like “You need to start today.”
Deciding not to recommend treatment is also part of care. The reasons are in Is there a reason a dentist tells you that you don't need treatment?
How do you compare dental prices?
Compare using published price lists and itemized estimates. Medical institutions in Korea must publish their fees for care not covered by insurance, so you can check them on the clinic's website or in the non-covered fee information of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service.
- Items rather than the total: for an implant, check whether the fixture, the restoration (crown), bone grafting, and the abutment are listed separately.
- Possible extra costs: check whether you were told about conditional costs in advance, such as “If there isn't enough bone, bone grafting may be added.”
- Maintenance costs: also ask about costs that come later, such as orthodontic retainers or remaking a restoration.
Wonjin Dental's itemized prices are published on the full fee list.
What should you do if you're worried about overtreatment?
For major treatment that isn't urgent, getting one more consultation at another dental clinic is the surest way. If you ask for a copy of the X-rays taken, you often won't need to have them taken again. When clinics give different opinions, ask “Why that method?” and choose the one with the more specific reasoning.
In situations that get worse if you wait, such as pain, spreading inflammation, or a broken tooth, it's better not to lose time comparing.
What else should you check for each type of treatment?
| Treatment | What to check at the consultation |
|---|---|
| Implant | Whether they checked the amount of bone with a CT scan, the possibility of bone grafting, the product and restoration material, the treatment period |
| Orthodontics | Whether they explain the plan with diagnostic records, the expected duration, whether extractions are needed, the cost of retainers |
| Cosmetic treatment for front teeth | How much tooth is ground, whether there are no-prep alternatives, whether they tell you when it can't be done |
| Cavities and gums | Whether they first explain options covered by insurance |
Separate checklists are in Implants: why to look at more than price first for implants and What to check at an orthodontic consultation for orthodontics.
How we do it at Wonjin Dental
Wonjin Dental is right by Gangnam Station Exit 1, and it focuses on front-tooth treatment (Brinate and porcelain veneers, front tooth crowns and implants, partial orthodontics) while also providing general dental care. The lead dentist, who handles prosthetics, provides care together with dentists in cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, and oral and maxillofacial surgery. Fees for care not covered by insurance are published in a price list, and I also tell you in advance when something can't be done; for example, I don't do Brinate if the teeth are pushed forward or if you have a skeletal protruding mouth.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, a dental clinic near home or a well-known one?
For care you need often, such as checkups, scaling, and cavity treatment, a nearby clinic makes it easier to keep going regularly. For treatment that takes a long time and has visible results, such as orthodontics or cosmetic front-tooth treatment, it's better to compare consultations before choosing. Either way, the five criteria above are the same.
Can I switch dental clinics in the middle of treatment?
You can. If you take copies of your treatment records and X-rays, it's easier for the new clinic to pick up and assess. However, for treatment that continues in stages, such as orthodontics or implants, check in advance about settling costs and whether appliances and parts are compatible.
How much should I trust reviews?
Reviews are useful for gauging friendliness, wait times, and atmosphere. Whether treatment went well often shows only years later, so it's hard to judge by reviews alone. Give more weight to what you confirm yourself at the consultation.