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Korean dental vocabulary · Glossary
Korean Dental Terms: An English–Korean Glossary
This glossary lists 40 Korean dental terms that international families meet at clinics, on receipts and on insurance forms, each with Hangul, Revised Romanization and a plain-English meaning, plus useful phrases. At Yonsei Baro Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry, near Isu Station in Seoul, orthodontic care is explained in English; these words help everywhere else.
How to use this glossary
Each table gives the English term, the Korean word in Hangul, its romanization and a short meaning. The romanization follows Revised Romanization of Korean, the official system used on Korean road signs and subway maps. It is a guide to spelling rather than an exact guide to sound: eo sounds roughly like the “u” in “sun”, eu is said with unrounded lips, and ae is close to the “e” in “bed”.
If you are unsure how to say a word, the simplest approach is to show the Hangul on your phone. At Yonsei Baro, Dr. Sally Chaekyung Lee explains orthodontic care in English and our WhatsApp and email messages are answered in English. For children’s visits, let us know when you book that you’d like English support — Dr. Sally Chaekyung Lee and our team can help explain your child’s care in English. See how to book .
Korean dental terms, by topic
At the clinic
| English | Korean (Hangul) | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental clinic; dentistry | 치과 | chigwa | The everyday word for a dentist’s clinic and for dentistry itself |
| Dentist | 치과의사 | chigwa uisa | A dentist |
| Orthodontic specialist | 치과교정과 전문의 | chigwa gyojeonggwa jeonmunui | A dentist certified by the Ministry of Health and Welfare as a specialist in orthodontics |
| Pediatric dentistry | 소아치과 | soa chigwa | Dentistry for children; a certified specialist is a 소아치과 전문의 (soa chigwa jeonmunui) |
| Appointment | 예약 | yeyak | A booking or reservation |
| Regular check-up | 정기검진 | jeonggi geomjin | A routine dental examination |
| Emergency | 응급 | eunggeup | Emergency; a hospital emergency room is 응급실 (eunggeupsil) |
Teeth, gums and bite
| English | Korean (Hangul) | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tooth | 치아 | chia | Tooth; in everyday speech people also say 이 (i) |
| Baby tooth | 유치 | yuchi | A primary (milk) tooth |
| Permanent tooth | 영구치 | yeongguchi | An adult tooth |
| Wisdom tooth | 사랑니 | sarangni | A third molar; literally “love tooth” |
| Gums | 잇몸 | inmom | The gum tissue around the teeth |
| Toothache | 치통 | chitong | Pain in or around a tooth |
| Malocclusion | 부정교합 | bujeong gyohap | A bite in which the teeth or jaws do not meet correctly |
| Underbite (everyday term) | 주걱턱 | jugeokteok | A prominent lower jaw; literally “rice-paddle jaw” |
| Protruding mouth | 돌출입 | dolchurip | Lips and front teeth that sit forward in the profile |
Orthodontics
| English | Korean (Hangul) | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orthodontic treatment | 교정 / 치아교정 | gyojeong / chia gyojeong | Straightening teeth or correcting the bite with braces or aligners |
| Bracket | 브라켓 | beuraket | A small attachment bonded to each tooth in fixed braces (also spelled 브래킷) |
| Clear aligner treatment | 투명교정 | tumyeong gyojeong | Treatment with removable clear aligners such as Invisalign; literally “transparent orthodontics” |
| Retainer | 유지장치 | yuji jangchi | An appliance worn after treatment to hold teeth in their new position |
| Space maintainer | 공간유지장치 | gonggan yuji jangchi | An appliance that holds space after a baby tooth is lost early |
Treatments for children and adults
| English | Korean (Hangul) | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cavity; tooth decay | 충치 | chungchi | A hole in a tooth caused by decay |
| Scaling (professional cleaning) | 스케일링 | seukeilling | Removal of tartar and plaque by the dental team |
| Sealant | 실란트 (치아홈메우기) | sillanteu (chia hom meugi) | A protective coating that seals the grooves of back teeth; the bracketed term is the formal Korean name |
| Fluoride application | 불소 도포 | bulso dopo | Fluoride painted onto the teeth to help strengthen enamel |
| Resin (tooth-coloured) filling | 레진 | rejin | A filling made of tooth-coloured composite resin |
| Crown | 크라운 | keuraun | A cap that covers and protects a damaged tooth |
| Root canal treatment | 신경치료 | singyeong chiryo | Treatment of the inner nerve of a tooth; literally “nerve treatment” |
| Tooth extraction | 발치 | balchi | Removing a tooth |
| Anaesthesia | 마취 | machwi | Numbing; at the dentist, usually a local anaesthetic |
| Laughing gas | 웃음가스 | useum gaseu | Nitrous oxide, breathed through a small nose mask to help patients relax |
| X-ray | 엑스레이 | ekseurei | A radiograph of the teeth and jaws |
Paperwork and insurance
| English | Korean (Hangul) | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health insurance | 건강보험 | geongang boheom | Korea’s National Health Insurance |
| Covered / not covered | 급여 / 비급여 | geubyeo / bigeubyeo | Items covered by National Health Insurance / items paid in full by the patient |
| Medical fee receipt | 진료비 영수증 | jillyobi yeongsujeung | A receipt for treatment fees |
| Itemized statement | 진료비 세부내역서 | jillyobi sebu naeyeokseo | A line-by-line list of the services and fees on a bill |
| Medical certificate | 진단서 | jindanseo | A doctor’s certificate confirming the diagnosis |
| Doctor’s opinion letter | 소견서 | sogyeonseo | A letter in which the doctor describes the condition and recommended care |
| Copy of medical records | 진료기록 사본 | jillyo girok sabon | Copies of your clinical records, for example when transferring care |
| Residence Card | 외국인등록증 | oegugin deungnokjeung | The identity card issued to registered foreign residents |
Useful phrases at the dentist
Short, polite sentences that work at a clinic reception or on the phone. The -yo ending keeps them polite.
| Korean (Hangul) | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 예약을 하고 싶어요. | Yeyageul hago sipeoyo. | I’d like to make an appointment. |
| 영어로 설명해 주실 수 있나요? | Yeongeoro seolmyeonghae jusil su innayo? | Could you explain in English? |
| 이가 아파요. | Iga apayo. | My tooth hurts. |
| 찬 것을 먹으면 이가 시려요. | Chan geoseul meogeumyeon iga siryeoyo. | My teeth are sensitive when I eat something cold. |
| 잇몸에서 피가 나요. | Inmomeseo piga nayo. | My gums are bleeding. |
| 교정 장치가 떨어졌어요. | Gyojeong jangchiga tteoreojyeosseoyo. | Part of my braces has come off. |
| 투명교정 장치를 잃어버렸어요. | Tumyeong gyojeong jangchireul ireobeoryeosseoyo. | I’ve lost my aligner. |
| 아이가 넘어져서 이가 부러졌어요. | Aiga neomeojyeoseo iga bureojyeosseoyo. | My child fell and broke a tooth. |
| 건강보험이 적용되나요? | Geongang boheomi jeogyongdoenayo? | Is this covered by health insurance? |
| 영어 영수증을 받을 수 있을까요? | Yeongeo yeongsujeungeul badeul su isseulkkayo? | Could I have an English receipt? |
| 진단서가 필요해요. | Jindanseoga piryohaeyo. | I need a medical certificate. |
Where these words come up for international patients
On receipts and insurance forms
Korean receipts often split charges into geubyeo (급여, covered by National Health Insurance) and bigeubyeo (비급여, not covered). Orthodontic treatment is generally non-covered. If you claim from overseas or private insurance, ask us for English receipts and itemized statements; see insurance and receipts and our NHIS guide .
When something goes wrong with braces or aligners
If part of a brace comes off or an aligner is lost, a photo sent by WhatsApp or KakaoTalk is quicker than any phrase. Our page on braces and aligner problems explains what to do in the meantime.
For children’s treatment
Words such as 실란트 (sealant), 불소 도포 (fluoride) and 웃음가스 (laughing gas) come up often at children’s visits. Read more about sealants and laughing gas . If a child injures a tooth, see dental injuries for first aid.
Korean dental terms FAQs
Why learn Korean dental terms if my orthodontist speaks English?
At Yonsei Baro, Dr. Sally Chaekyung Lee explains orthodontic care in English, so you do not need Korean for your treatment. A few words still help elsewhere: reading Korean receipts and insurance forms, booking through Korean apps such as Naver, or explaining a dental problem at a pharmacy or hospital emergency room.
What do 치과의원 and 치과병원 mean on signs?
Both mean a place for dental care. 치과의원 (chigwa uiwon) is a dental clinic, and 치과병원 (chigwa byeongwon) is a larger dental hospital. Our registered Korean name is 이수연세바로치과교정과의원, which ends in 의원, the word for a clinic. You may see it on Korean maps and receipts.
How do I find the clinic on Korean map apps?
Search for 이수연세바로치과교정과의원 or the address 서울 서초구 동작대로 118 방배예다인프라자 4층 in Naver Map or Kakao Map. The clinic is on the 4th floor, with direct underground access from Isu Station Exit 2. Showing the Korean address to a taxi driver works well too. See directions.
Is the romanization in this glossary how Koreans spell words in English?
It follows Revised Romanization, the official system in South Korea, so it matches road signs and subway maps. You will still see other spellings in daily life, especially in names and brands. When in doubt, the Hangul is the reliable version to show someone.
Can I get my clinic documents in English instead of Korean?
Yes. On request we provide English receipts, itemized statements, medical certificates and doctor’s letters. Ask your insurer in advance which documents and codes they need, and let us know before your visit. See fees and payment for how payment and receipts work at the clinic.
Last updated October 2026
Yonsei Baro Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry · 4F, Bangbae Yedain Plaza, 118 Dongjak-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul
This glossary is general information to help you communicate. Translations are simplified, and clinics may use terms slightly differently; ask us if anything is unclear. It is not medical advice. In an emergency involving breathing, heavy bleeding, a head injury or facial swelling spreading toward the eye or neck, call 119.
Prefer to talk it through in English?
Message us on WhatsApp or email, and we’ll reply in English. Isu Station Exit 2 · Open until 9 PM Mon & Thu · Saturdays 9 AM–2 PM.