Orthodontic Cost and Health Insurance in Korea: Quote Items, the Non-covered Principle and When It Is Covered

Orthodontics is a treatment that the Korean rules on medical care benefit criteria for health insurance set as non-covered, so for most cases you pay the amount set by the clinic yourself. The cost is divided into diagnosis and tests, the appliance, regular adjustments and the retainer, and varies with the appliance type, the duration, and whether teeth are extracted and mini-screws are used. As exceptions, orthodontic and orthopedic treatment for patients with cleft lip and palate and notified rare congenital maxillofacial anomalies is covered by health insurance if pre-registered with the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS, 국민건강보험공단).

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

Key facts

Principle	Dental orthodontics is non-covered (except notified cases such as cleft lip and palate) (source: National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) (Rules on Medical Care Benefit Criteria, Appendix 2))
Coverage of orthodontics for cleft lip and palate	From March 25, 2019 (source: National Health Insurance Service (NHIS))
Added target group	4 rare congenital maxillofacial anomaly diseases, from October 2021 (source: National Health Insurance Service (NHIS))
Copay for covered orthodontics	10% during the rare disease special calculation period (source: National Health Insurance Service (NHIS))
Scaling for orthodontics	Non-covered (source: National Health Insurance Service (Rules on Medical Care Benefit Criteria, Appendix 2))
Jaw-and-face correction surgery for appearance	Non-covered if only the appearance is to be changed (surgery to improve chewing or speech function does not fall under this provision) (source: National Health Insurance Service (Rules on Medical Care Benefit Criteria, Appendix 2))

Why does the cost of orthodontics differ from clinic to clinic?

Orthodontics is non-covered, so there is no price list set by health insurance and the clinic sets the amount. Even within the same clinic, the appliance fee differs by metal, ceramic, lingual or clear appliance, and the duration and number of visits vary with how far the teeth must be moved.

Whether extraction is needed, whether orthodontic mini-screws are used and whether jaw correction surgery is done together also change the total cost. So rather than directly comparing someone else's orthodontic fee, it is more accurate to compare quotes obtained on the basis of your own diagnosis.

There are a method of paying the total at once and a method of paying the appliance fee and a monthly adjustment fee separately, so even for the same treatment the initial burden can look different depending on the payment structure.

What should I check on an orthodontic quote?

Get the quote split by item. Check what is included in the total, whether an adjustment fee is added if treatment becomes longer than planned, and whether there is a charge for re-bonding when the appliance comes off.

The retainer after the appliance is removed and the check-ups after that also affect the cost. If you know in advance the cost of remaking a retainer you lost or broke, and of re-bonding a fixed retainer that came off, you can anticipate costs that arise later.

Diagnosis: radiographs, photos, impressions or intraoral scan, analysis
Appliance: type and number of brackets or clear trays
Adjustment: cost per visit or whether it is included in the total
Extras: extraction, mini-screws, re-bonding the appliance
Finishing: making the retainer and later checks

Which orthodontics is covered by health insurance in Korea?

While setting dental orthodontics as non-covered, the rules on medical care benefit criteria exclude cases notified by the Minister of Health and Welfare, such as orthodontics to treat cleft lip and palate. For cleft lip and palate patients, orthodontic and orthopedic treatment has been covered since March 25, 2019.

From October 2021, 4 rare congenital maxillofacial anomaly diseases were added to the targets. The covered items are seven: pre-surgical infant orthopedic appliance treatment, arch expansion orthodontics, fixed orthodontics for aligning the upper front teeth, orthopedic orthodontic treatment, growth observation, fixed appliance orthodontics, and a palatal arch wire for alveolar bone grafting.

Correction of ordinary malocclusion that is not such a congenital disease, such as snaggle teeth, a protruding mouth or a protruding lower jaw, is non-covered regardless of age.

How do I apply for covered orthodontics?

The National Health Insurance Service explains that the treatment stages of the seven treatments must be pre-registered with the Service to receive coverage. First, a dentist registered as an eligible provider makes the diagnosis and issues an application; then the clinic registers on the Medical Institution Information Portal or the patient submits the application to the Service, and the Service notifies the registration result.

The Korean Association of Orthodontists (KAO, 대한치과교정학회) explains that, to apply coverage, the diagnosis and treatment must be done by an orthodontic specialist who meets certain requirements. For patients registered under the rare disease special calculation, orthodontic care received within the application period uses the 10% copay rate. If you have the condition, first check before starting treatment whether the clinic can register for coverage.

What other costs come with orthodontics?

Scaling received for orthodontics is non-covered. Health insurance scaling applies only under the notified criteria when treatment ends with calculus removal alone, so if it is for orthodontic preparation it may not be handled as covered.

If cavities and gum disease must be treated before orthodontics, the cost is calculated separately by the standards of that treatment. Jaw correction surgery is set as non-covered if its purpose is to improve appearance rather than chewing and speech function, so how the cost is handled may differ depending on the purpose of surgery.

For non-covered medical fees, you can check in the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA, 건강보험심사평가원) non-covered medical fee information whether an item is publicly disclosed. For items not disclosed, a written quote from the clinic is the most accurate source.

Common myths and facts

Myth: Orthodontics for snaggle teeth is also covered by health insurance.

Correction of ordinary malocclusion is non-covered. Only orthodontics for cleft lip and palate and notified congenital maxillofacial anomaly patients is covered.

Myth: Scaling before orthodontics is covered by insurance once a year.

The rules on medical care benefit criteria set calculus removal for orthodontics as non-covered.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to pay the orthodontic fee all at once?

It depends on the clinic. There are methods that set a total and pay in installments and methods that pay the appliance fee and a monthly adjustment fee separately, so at the quote also check the payment structure and how settlement is done if you stop midway.

Are the costs of phase 1 and phase 2 orthodontics for children separate?

Whether phase 2 will be needed after phase 1 can be known only by watching growth, so they are often calculated separately. When starting phase 1, ask in advance what the cost would be if phase 2 becomes necessary.

If I have cleft lip and palate, are all orthodontic costs covered?

The seven orthodontic and orthopedic treatments set by the Service are covered, and the treatment stage must be pre-registered. For treatment started before registration and costs that are not covered items, check separately.

Who pays for the treatment of a cavity that develops during orthodontics?

Cavity treatment is separate from orthodontics and is paid by the patient according to the applicable standard. During orthodontics, caring around the appliance is difficult and cavities are likely, so have them checked together at regular check-ups. Also ask whether there is a separate charge for temporarily removing and re-bonding the appliance for cavity treatment.

Is a medical receipt issued for orthodontic costs too?

A medical fee receipt is issued for non-covered treatment as well, and you can request a detailed breakdown. If you keep an itemized breakdown, it is easy to compare the first quote with the actual billing, and it is also supporting material when you change clinics or settle midway.

References

Korean version →