Orthodontics Guide: Appliance Types, When to Start, Treatment Duration, Cost and Korean Health Insurance

Orthodontics is treatment that slowly moves teeth with appliances to correct uneven dental arches and upper and lower teeth that do not meet well (malocclusion). Seoul National University Hospital's medical information puts the treatment period at usually 1-3 years, and the Korean Association of Orthodontists (KAO, 대한치과교정학회) recommends a first orthodontic check-up around age 7. In Korea, orthodontics is in principle not covered by insurance, and National Health Insurance applies only to orthodontics for cleft lip and palate and notified congenital maxillofacial anomalies.

Published 2026-11-08 · Updated 2026-11-08 · DentalStatics editorial team

Key facts

Recommended time for the first orthodontic check-up	Around age 7 (when the first permanent front teeth and molars erupt) (source: Korean Association of Orthodontists)
Typical treatment period	Usually 1-3 years, with adjustments about every 4 weeks (source: Seoul National University Hospital medical information)
Health insurance principle	Dental orthodontics is not covered (source: National Health Insurance Service (NHIS, 국민건강보험공단) (Rules on Medical Care Benefit Criteria, Appendix 2))
Coverage exceptions	Cleft lip and palate (from March 25, 2019), 4 rare congenital maxillofacial anomaly diseases (from October 2021) (source: National Health Insurance Service (NHIS))
Pain after adjusting the appliance	Usually lasts 2-4 days and then disappears (source: Korean Association of Orthodontists)
Wearing clear aligners	Most of the day, except for meals and brushing (source: Korean Association of Orthodontists)
Removable retainer	Wear as long as possible for at least 1 year after orthodontics, then reduce as instructed (source: Korean Association of Orthodontists)

When is orthodontic treatment needed?

The Korean Association of Orthodontists describes malocclusion as a state in which there is an abnormality in the number of teeth, the teeth are spaced apart, crooked or overlapping, or the upper and lower teeth do not meet well. It also includes a receding chin, a protruding lower jaw and facial asymmetry caused by a mismatch in the positions of the upper and lower jaws.

Malocclusion itself does not cause cavities or gum disease, but between overlapping teeth the toothbrush cannot reach, so the chance of cavities and gum disease may rise. Seoul National University Hospital's medical information explains that if the upper and lower teeth do not meet properly, tension may arise in the jaw joint and surrounding muscles when chewing.

Heredity is known to have a large influence on the cause, and an imbalance between tooth size and jaw size, early loss of baby teeth and habits such as thumb sucking are also related.

Crowding: not enough space, so teeth overlap and are crooked
Spacing: gaps between teeth
Maxillary protrusion: upper teeth or upper jaw stick out forward
Crossbite: the lower teeth bite in front of the upper teeth
Open bite and deep bite: the front teeth do not touch, or overlap too deeply

What types of orthodontic appliances are there?

The most common fixed appliance has brackets attached to the teeth and applies force with wires and elastic bands. Brackets come in metal, ceramic and resin materials, and there are also self-ligating brackets, which change the way the wire is held, and lingual brackets attached to the inside of the teeth.

Clear aligners move teeth little by little with transparent plastic trays that you put in and take out yourself. Orthodontic mini-screws, small screws placed in the jawbone and used as anchor points, are sometimes used together. The Korean Association of Orthodontists stresses that it is not the appliance that decides the result, but an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan that matter more.

Fixed brackets: metal, ceramic, resin, and self-ligating brackets
Lingual brackets: attached to the inside of the teeth, so not easily seen from the front
Clear aligners: removable, wearing time decides the result
Mini-screws: anchors for moving teeth in the desired direction

When is the best time to start orthodontics?

The Korean Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check-up around age 7, when the first permanent front teeth and molars erupt. At the check-up, the number of teeth, the bite, the space for permanent teeth to erupt and the growth balance of the upper and lower jaws are checked.

The best time for treatment depends on the pattern of malocclusion. Many start in the upper elementary grades or middle school, after the permanent teeth have all erupted, but skeletal problems such as a protruding lower jaw or receding chin, and early loss of baby teeth, may be treated more effectively if treated early.

Adults can also have orthodontics regardless of age if the teeth and gums are healthy. However, teeth move somewhat more slowly than in adolescents, and gum disease or deep cavities must be treated first.

How long does orthodontic treatment take?

Seoul National University Hospital's medical information says the treatment period differs from case to case and usually takes 1-3 years, with visits generally every 4 weeks for appliance adjustment. It gets longer if teeth must be moved a lot or an extraction space must be closed.

If jaw correction surgery is done together for a jawbone problem, then by the criteria of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA, 질병관리청), pre-surgical orthodontics usually takes 6 months to 1 year or more, and orthodontics resumes from 4-6 weeks after surgery for another 6 months to 1 year or so. After the appliance is removed, there is also a separate period of wearing a retainer.

Adults tend to have teeth that move somewhat more slowly than adolescents, and with clear aligners, progress slows if wearing time is insufficient. Getting adjustments on the set days and taking care that the appliance does not come off is the way to keep to the expected period.

How are the cost and health insurance for orthodontics handled in Korea?

The rules on medical care benefit criteria set dental orthodontics as non-covered, so for most orthodontics you pay the amount set by the clinic yourself. The amount varies by appliance type, whether teeth are extracted, use of mini-screws and duration, so get a quote split into the diagnosis fee, appliance fee, adjustment fee and retainer fee.

As exceptions, orthodontic and orthopedic treatment for cleft lip and palate patients has been covered by health insurance since March 25, 2019, and 4 rare congenital maxillofacial anomaly diseases since October 2021. The treatment stage must be pre-registered with the National Health Insurance Service, and during the rare disease special calculation period a 10% copay rate applies.

Scaling received for orthodontics and jaw-and-face correction surgery for cosmetic purposes are also non-covered. When you get a quote, also check how the adjustment fee is handled if the treatment period becomes longer than planned and how much it costs to remake a retainer if you lose it.

What should I be careful about during orthodontics?

After the appliance is adjusted, pain starts a few hours later and usually continues for 2-4 days before disappearing. During this period eat soft food, and if the appliance irritates the cheek or lip, apply the wax received from the clinic. Getting used to the appliance usually takes several weeks.

Around brackets, food and plaque remain easily and cavities and gum inflammation are likely. Use an orthodontic toothbrush, interdental brushes and a floss holder together, and brush while looking in a mirror. The Korean Association of Orthodontists warns not to use clear aligners sold online without a diagnosis, as they can harm the teeth and gums.

If an orthodontic mini-screw has been placed, the area around it must also be cleaned carefully. The Korean Association of Orthodontists explains that if inflammation develops from poor cleaning, the mini-screw may loosen or fall out and have to be placed again at another site.

What matters after orthodontics ends?

Teeth moved to a new position tend to return to their original position until the surrounding tissues settle again, so a retainer is used. There are fixed retainers, a thin wire bonded to the inside of the front teeth, and removable retainers that you put in and take out yourself.

The Korean Association of Orthodontists recommends wearing a removable retainer as many hours as possible for at least 1 year after orthodontics and reducing it afterwards as instructed. If a fixed wire comes off, have it bonded again as soon as possible; if teeth move because the retainer was not kept up, re-treatment may be needed.

Teeth can change position within the jawbone depending on circumstances. If the dental arch becomes disordered again over time after orthodontics because of gum disease or trauma, a smaller case is sometimes re-treated with a less noticeable appliance.

Detailed guides

Frequently asked questions

Up to what age can orthodontics be done?

The Korean Association of Orthodontists explains that, as long as there is no progressive inflammation in the jawbone, orthodontics is possible even at an older age. Middle-aged and older people should tell the dentist in advance whether they have diabetes or take osteoporosis medication, and partial orthodontics, which leaves molar prostheses as they are and aligns only the front teeth, is also sometimes considered.

Must teeth always be extracted for orthodontics?

Not all orthodontics requires extraction. Premolars are mainly extracted when there is a large shortage of space to arrange the teeth or when protruding front teeth make the mouth look protruded, and whether to extract is decided from the diagnostic records. The Korean Association of Orthodontists explains that if teeth are lined up without extraction when extraction is needed, the mouth may protrude more.

Can clear aligners correct every case?

The Korean Association of Orthodontists explains that clear aligners cannot treat every malocclusion. They must be used after an accurate diagnosis, and they move as planned only if worn most of the day except for meals and brushing.

Are there cases where health insurance applies to orthodontics?

Orthodontic and orthopedic treatment for cleft lip and palate patients, and the 4 rare congenital maxillofacial anomaly diseases added from October 2021, are covered. Correction of ordinary malocclusion such as snaggle teeth or a protruding mouth is non-covered. Even covered orthodontics requires the treatment stage to be pre-registered with the National Health Insurance Service, so check with the dentist before starting.

Does orthodontics during the growth period make you grow less tall?

The Korean Association of Orthodontists explains that orthodontic pain usually fades within a few days and people adapt to the appliance, so it cannot be said that nutritional intake falls. It adds that improved bite and breathing may instead help growth.

What should I do if the appliance comes off during orthodontics?

If a fallen bracket or wire pokes the cheek, cover it with wax and contact the dentist as soon as possible. Do not throw away fallen parts; bring them along. If left for a long time, the teeth may move differently from the plan and the duration may be extended. Hard or sticky foods are a common cause of appliances coming off, so avoid them during orthodontics.

References

Korean version →