Before → filling removed → resin layering → finished
From an old gold filling to tooth-colored resin
A leaking gold filling in a premolar was removed and, keeping the remaining tooth, resin was layered to restore the chewing surface.
RESIN BUILD-UP
Not drilled away —
built back up
Chipped or worn teeth and gaps between front teeth,
restored with resin and little or no drilling.
Dr. Lee Eun-Byul · Dr. Hong Eun-Jeong
WHAT IS RESIN BUILD-UP
Instead of drilling and capping,
we build up layer by layer
Resin build-up layers tooth-colored composite resin in thin coats to restore chipped or worn areas and gaps to their original shape. Unlike crowns or laminates, it often requires no drilling of healthy tooth — which is why we suggest it first to people who want to keep as much of their own teeth as possible.
MINIMAL
Little or no drilling
Healthy tooth is left as is; material is added only where needed.
ONE DAY
Usually done in a day
No impressions sent to a lab — it is built right in the chair.
NATURAL
Your own tooth color
Several resin shades are layered to match color and translucency.
When it works well
—Chipped front teeth
Edges broken in a fall or by biting something hard
—Worn, shortened teeth
Edges worn down by grinding or with age
—Gaps between front teeth
A gap (diastema) or triangular space between the teeth
—Small teeth
Teeth smaller or more pointed than their neighbors
—Replacing old fillings
Discolored or leaking resin or metal fillings
—Cavities in back teeth
Rebuilding the chewing surface after decay is removed
COMPARE
How is it different from
laminates and crowns?
All three restore the shape and color of teeth, but they differ in how much tooth is removed and how long treatment takes.
| Resin build-up | Laminate | Crown | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tooth reduction | None or minimal | Thin layer on the front | All around |
| Material | Composite resin | Ceramic | Zirconia, ceramic, etc. |
| Visits | Usually same day | 2 or more | 2 or more |
| Staining | May stain over time | Material barely changes | Material barely changes |
| If it chips | Can be repaired in part | Remade | Remade |
| Best for | Small chips, gaps, wear | Color and shape of several teeth | Major damage, root-canal teeth |
Which option suits you depends on how much tooth remains, your bite force and whether you grind your teeth. When resin is enough, we do not recommend drilling first — and when it is not, we explain why.
ONE-DAY PROCESS
Most cases are finished
in a single visit
Time varies with the number of teeth and the extent, but there is no waiting for a lab — it is completed right in the chair.
- 01
STEP 01
Diagnosis · photos
We check the extent of the damage, your bite and the color of the surrounding teeth, and record them in photos.
- 02
STEP 02
Shade matching
Each area of a tooth has its own color and translucency, so we select several resin shades.
- 03
STEP 03
Surface preparation
Healthy tooth is not drilled; only the bonding surface is treated so the resin adheres firmly. Any decay or old filling is removed.
- 04
STEP 04
Layer by layer
Thin layers are placed and cured, again and again, gradually rebuilding the tooth’s original shape.
- 05
STEP 05
Polishing · bite check
The shape is refined and polished, and we check that nothing catches when you bite before finishing.
AFTER CARE
Everyday habits
that make it last
How long resin lasts depends a great deal on care. Keeping these habits alone helps it last much longer.
- Do not bite into very hard things — ice, shellfish shells or bones — with resin-restored teeth.
- If you often drink coffee, tea or wine, rinse with water afterwards to reduce staining.
- If you grind or clench, wearing an occlusal splint at night is recommended.
- At check-ups every 6 months, we look at wear and staining and re-polish the surface.
- If part of it chips, in most cases only that part needs to be rebuilt.
CASES
Resin build-up cases
Instead of drilling and capping, we removed only what was needed and built the tooth back up with resin.
Before → decay removed → layering → finished
Build-up after removing decay under a gold inlay
With the tooth isolated under a rubber dam, the gold inlay and the decay beneath it were removed and the molar was rebuilt layer by layer.
These are before/after photos of the same patient, same teeth, treated by the same medical staff, posted with the patient's consent. Results vary by individual; all treatments may involve side effects such as infection or bleeding — please consult the medical staff.
YOUR DOCTOR
Treated in person by
our two senior dentists
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. Lee Eun-Byul
KAIST · Kyungpook National University School of Dentistry
“Orthodontics and resin, without rushing — we look first at what will feel right.”
- —Graduate, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, KAIST
- —Graduate, Kyungpook National University School of Dentistry
- —Staff Dentist, International Clinic
- —Graduate, British International School Bratislava
- —National oral health screening dentist, National Health Insurance Service
- —Certified in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) stimulation therapy
- —Completed Dentalbean Master of Third Molar Extraction
OrthodonticsResin build-up
SENIOR DENTIST, PROSTHODONTIC CARE
Dr. Hong Eun-Jeong
Master’s degree, Seoul National University · Kyungpook National University School of Dentistry
“Prosthetics and whitening, kept modest and close to your own tooth.”
- —Graduate of Seoul National University · Master’s degree, Seoul National University Graduate School
- —Graduated with highest honors, Kyungpook National University School of Dentistry
- —Intern, Veterans Health Service (VHS) Medical Center, Seoul
- —National oral health screening dentist, National Health Insurance Service
- —Certified in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) stimulation therapy
- —Completed Doctor’s Endo Seminar
- —Seoul National University academic excellence scholarship; repeatedly awarded in-school academic excellence scholarships
Whitening & laminatesProsthetics (crowns · bridges)Gum treatment & scalingResin build-up
FAQ
Resin build-up FAQ
We answer every last question, carefully and in full.
It restores chipped or worn teeth, and gaps between teeth, to their original shape by layering composite resin — without removing healthy tooth structure. Compared with crowns or laminates it preserves more of the tooth, and treatment can usually be finished the same day.
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.