STAGE 1 · ENAMEL
Enamel decay
Only the outermost layer of the tooth is affected, and there is usually no pain. The surface may look white or brown.
ObservationFluorideSealantsPreventive resin
CONSERVATIVE DENTISTRY
Saving natural teeth —
the foundation of dentistry
Cavities · root canals · re-treatment.
Only what is necessary, treated by a dentist dedicated to conservative care.
Dr. Kim Sue-A · Conservative Dentistry Specialist
SAVE THE NATURAL TOOTH
If there is even a 1% chance
to save a tooth, we save it
Saving natural teeth is the foundation of dentistry. We plan treatment to extend the life of your natural teeth for as long as possible.
ROOT CANAL CARE
Care by a conservative dentistry specialist
Cavity and root canal treatment are provided personally by Dr. Kim Sue-A, a board-certified conservative dentistry specialist.
- 01
We treat only what is necessary
The first step in all dental care is protecting teeth from decay and gum disease. We keep as much healthy tooth as possible and remove only the decayed part precisely, so you can chew comfortably for a long time.
- 02
Treated by a dentist dedicated to conservative care
Dr. Kim Sue-A, our board-certified conservative dentistry specialist, personally diagnoses and treats cavities, root canals and root canal re-treatments.
- 03
Before extraction, we look for a way to save the tooth
Nothing compares to your own tooth. Before recommending extraction, we check carefully whether a root canal or re-treatment can save it.
- 04
Finished in our in-house lab
When an inlay or crown is needed, it is made in our in-house Design Lab. The dentist who treated you talks directly with the technician for a more precise fit.
STAGES OF DECAY
Each stage of decay
needs a different treatment
No pain does not mean no problem. The earlier decay is found, the less tooth we remove and the simpler treatment becomes.
STAGE 2 · DENTIN
Dentin decay
Decay has reached the dentin and can be seen on X-rays or by eye. Cold or sweet foods cause sensitivity, and decay progresses faster.
Resin build-upInlay · onlay
STAGE 3 · PULP
Decay reaching the nerve
The nerve becomes inflamed, causing throbbing pain and strong sensitivity to hot and cold. Pain may get worse at night.
Root canal treatmentCrown
If decay reaches the root, extraction may become necessary. Before that, we first check whether a root canal and a crown can keep the tooth.
Types of cavity treatment
- Resin build-up
- When decay is limited, the cavity is filled with tooth-colored material. Little tooth is removed and it can be done the same day.
- Inlay · onlay
- For wide decay, recurrent decay or cracked teeth, a custom piece is made from an impression. Suitable even for molars that take heavy chewing forces.
- Crown
- Covers and protects a tooth weakened by root canal treatment or heavily damaged. Precise fabrication and adjustment are key.
ROOT CANAL TREATMENT
How root canal
treatment works
Root canal (endodontic) treatment removes an inflamed nerve and disinfects the inside of the root, saving the tooth without extraction.
- 01
STEP 01
Precise diagnosis
With X-rays — and 3D CT when needed — we first check the extent of inflammation, the number of roots and how curved they are. This is where we judge whether the tooth can be saved.
- 02
STEP 02
Removing the infected nerve under anesthesia
After thorough anesthesia, the decay and inflamed nerve tissue are removed. Pain during treatment is controlled with anesthesia.
- 03
STEP 03
Cleaning and shaping the canals
The canals inside the root are cleaned with dedicated instruments and disinfecting solution, and shaped so they can be filled well.
Usually 2–4 visits, depending on inflammation
- 04
STEP 04
Filling the canals
The cleaned canals are sealed completely with biocompatible material so bacteria cannot get back in.
- 05
STEP 05
Protecting with a crown
A tooth that has had a root canal loses moisture and becomes brittle. A crown made in our in-house lab protects it so it lasts.
RE-TREATMENT
When a root-canal-treated
tooth hurts again
If pain or gum swelling returns in a tooth that has already had a root canal, first find out whether re-treatment can save it. It is a demanding procedure, where experience with root canal treatment matters most.
Why it hurts again
A missed canal
Part of a complex, branching canal system was left untreated.
Incomplete seal
The filling was insufficient, or a gap formed over time and bacteria got back in.
Crown gap · recurrent decay
The edge of a crown opened up, or decay formed underneath it.
Cracked tooth
A fine crack in the tooth or root keeps causing inflammation.
The re-treatment process
- 01
STEP 01
Find the cause
X-rays and 3D CT show inflammation at the root tip and the condition of the existing filling.
- 02
STEP 02
Remove the old crown and filling
The crown and root filling are carefully removed to reopen the way for treatment.
- 03
STEP 03
Clean and disinfect again
Missed canals and infected areas are found and disinfected again.
- 04
STEP 04
Refill · new crown
The canals are sealed completely again and the tooth is protected with a new crown.
Before extracting and placing an implant, find out whether your own tooth can be saved. If there is even a 1% chance, we try to save it first. If the root is fractured or too little tooth remains, we will discuss other options with you.
YOUR DOCTOR
Our conservative-care dentist
treats you from start to finish
DIRECTOR · ADJUNCT PROFESSOR
Dr. Park Dong-Uk
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Specialist · Integrated Dentistry Specialist
“The depth of a Seoul National University–trained specialist, with the warmth of caring for family.”
- —Board-certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Specialist (Ministry of Health and Welfare)
- —Board-certified Integrated Dentistry Specialist (Ministry of Health and Welfare)
- —PhD in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Seoul National University School of Dentistry
- —First author, implant-related paper in an international SCI journal (Journal of Dental Sciences, 2022)
- —Intern, Regional Trauma Center, Gachon University Gil Medical Center
- —Resident, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, SNU Boramae Medical Center
- —Adjunct Professor, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, SNU Boramae Medical Center
Implants & full-arch implantsWisdom tooth extractionGummy smileGum graftingTMJ & jaw BotoxOral cancer screeningSedation
SENIOR DENTIST, CONSERVATIVE DENTISTRY
Dr. Kim Sue-A
Board-certified Conservative Dentistry Specialist
“I specialized in conservative dentistry because a natural tooth is the best tooth.”
- —Top award in Restorative Dentistry, Korean Academy of Conservative Dentistry (KACD), 2025
- —Board-certified Conservative Dentistry Specialist (Ministry of Health and Welfare)
- —Master of Dentistry, Chonnam National University School of Dentistry
- —Completed internship, Chonnam National University Dental Hospital
- —Completed residency, Chonnam National University Dental Hospital
- —Academic excellence scholarship in every semester of study
- —Academy-certified in conservative dentistry, Korean Academy of Conservative Dentistry
Conservative care (cavity treatment, root canal treatment)Root canal re-treatment
FAQ
Cavity & root canal FAQ
We answer every last question, carefully and in full.
Early cavities limited to the enamel can be managed with observation, fluoride and preventive care. Once decay reaches the dentin it is treated with resin or an inlay, and if it reaches the nerve, root canal treatment is needed. Our dentist dedicated to conservative care treats only the extent that is truly necessary.
LOCATION
2 minutes on foot
from Gaerong Station, Exit 3
- ADDRESS
- 3F, 174-14 Garak-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, Korea
2-minute walk from Exit 3 of Gaerong Station (Line 5) · 3rd floor of the KB Kookmin Bank / Starbucks building - PHONE
- +82-2-6952-2788 (in Korea: 02-6952-2788)
- PARKING
- Parking is available in the building — please ask at the front desk when you arrive.
- HOURS
Open on public holidays, too
Mon · Thu (late hours) 09:30 – 21:00 Tue · Wed · Fri 09:30 – 18:30 Sat · Public holidays 09:30 – 14:00 Lunch break (weekdays) 13:00 – 14:00 Sunday Closed Open until 9 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays, and until 2 p.m. on Saturdays and public holidays. Closed on Sundays.
KEEP WHAT'S ORIGINAL & NATURAL
Through your teeth,
we see your life
Just leave your symptoms and contact details —
the dentist in charge will review them and get back to you.