National-insurance implants (age 65+)

If you're 65 or older, national health insurance covers up to two implants. Your co-payment is 30%, and it's two implants for life, regardless of upper or lower jaw. Boston Miso Dental Clinic doesn't lower its implant post standard just because it's an insured implant — you can still choose premium implant posts like Straumann or Osstem SOI for an insured implant, and the diagnosis, surgery and restoration standards are the same as for a standard implant.

Who is eligible, and for how many implants?

• Age 65 and over, national health insurance subscribers and dependents (Medical Aid recipients have a different co-payment rate).
• Two implants per lifetime — anywhere in the upper or lower jaw, front tooth or molar.
• It applies only if you still have some natural teeth in that jaw. A jaw with no teeth at all is covered under denture insurance instead of implants.
• If you've already used part of your lifetime allowance for insured implants at another clinic, only the remaining count applies. We'll check this for you through the registration system.

What's covered and what isn't?

National health insurance covers the basic process from diagnosis → placement → crown. Two points here tend to cause confusion.

• Bone grafting and sinus lift are not covered by national health insurance. If insufficient bone makes these necessary, only that item is charged separately (bone graft ₩300,000–500,000, sinus lift ₩500,000–1,500,000). See Bone Grafting & Sinus Lift for details.
• Both PFM (porcelain-fused-to-metal) and zirconia crowns are covered materials for the insured crown (since February 1, 2025, Ministry of Health and Welfare Notice No. 2025-23). You can choose either within insurance coverage at no extra charge; for molars we look at chewing strength and for front teeth at color and translucency, showing you the difference at your consultation before deciding.

The exact co-payment is 30% of the insurance base fee plus any optional items, and we provide it in writing first after diagnosis. The amount never changes in the operating room.

Can I choose the implant post for an insured implant too?

Yes. National health insurance sets the "scope of coverage," not "which implant post must be used." Boston Miso Dental Clinic lets you choose Straumann (10-year implant post warranty) or Osstem SOI (7-year warranty) even for insured implants. An implant placed after age 65 is a tooth you'll be living with for years to come, so if anything we weigh implant post surface technology and long-term survival data even more carefully at this stage. Differences between implant posts are covered in the implant post chapter, and fees are on the Fees page.

What do we check especially closely for implants in patients 65 and older?

• Medications — osteoporosis drugs (bisphosphonates), anticoagulants/antiplatelets, diabetes medication. These don't make surgery impossible, but change the timing and method. If coordination with your prescribing physician is needed, we handle it.
• Condition of the jawbone — the longer it's been since extraction, the more the bone has shrunk. We measure the remaining bone with 3D CT (CBCT), and if it's insufficient, we decide on bone grafting first. You can get a head start with our Jawbone Self-Check.
• Remaining teeth and bite — since only two implants are placed, which sites restore chewing balance matters most. We decide by order of functional recovery, not by the order teeth were lost.
• Combining with dentures — if several teeth are missing, a combination of 2 implants plus a partial denture can be a practical choice. As in a case using a denture on top and implants on the bottom, the plan can differ between the upper and lower jaw.

What's the process?

1. Diagnosis and registration — after a 3D CT scan and oral exam, you're registered for an insured implant. The number of insured implants you have left is also checked at this time.
2. Placement — the implant post is placed at the planned position. If bone grafting is needed, it's done together.
3. Healing — the period for bonding with bone. This can be shortened depending on the implant post surface.
4. Restoration — connecting the abutment, fitting the crown, and adjusting bite height.
5. Regular check-ups — also a condition of the warranty.

Related Guides & Cases

• Boston Miso's standard for implants
• Bone Grafting & Sinus Lift — When and How Much Extra
• Fees — Implants
• Jawbone Self-Check before implant treatment
• When teeth are missing or lost

FAQ

Is an insured implant any worse than a standard implant?

No. Insurance is a system for reducing your cost burden, not something that sets the level of treatment. Boston Miso Dental Clinic applies the same implant post, diagnosis and surgical standards either way, and you can choose Straumann as well.

Once I've used both, what happens for a third implant?

From the third implant onward, treatment proceeds at the standard fee (from ₩890,000, including a custom abutment and zirconia crown). We'll work out together at the planning stage which sites make the best use of your insurance coverage.

I wear a denture — can I still get an insured implant?

It's possible if you still have some natural teeth in that jaw. A jaw with no teeth at all isn't covered for implants; in that case, we'll walk you through other options such as insured dentures or All-on-X.

References

The order of evaluation and treatment approach described here are Boston Miso Dental Clinic's own standard; the causes, mechanisms and treatment effects are based on the references below.

※ This is general information. Whether and how it applies to you is explained personally by Dr. Lee, our Clinic Director, after a 3D CT diagnosis. Implant surgery can involve side effects such as pain, bleeding, infection or altered sensation depending on the individual, and treatment results and duration vary with oral condition. Fees shown are base prices; see the Fees page for itemized details.

The clinician responsible for treatment guidance at Boston Miso Dental Clinic is Dr. Jongbum Lee, Clinic Director, a board-certified specialist in Advanced General Dentistry (Korea).