Why does the cost of orthodontic treatment differ between clinics?
Most orthodontic treatment is not covered by Korean National Health Insurance, so each clinic divides the items and sets the prices differently. Many people get consultations at several places and say, “The estimates are so different,” and the differences usually come from four points.
- Appliance: metal, ceramic, self-ligating, or clear aligners
- Scope: partial orthodontics that moves only the front teeth, or comprehensive orthodontics
- Difficulty: whether teeth are extracted, how far teeth move, and skeletal problems
- Included items: whether exams, adjustment fees, and retainers are in the estimate
What should an orthodontic estimate include?
The total is usually divided into four parts.
| Item | What it covers | If it is left out of the estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnosis (detailed exam) | X-rays, scans, analysis | It is charged separately |
| Appliance | Brackets, clear trays, etc. | It makes up most of the estimate |
| Adjustments | Adjusting the force at each visit | It is added every month, changing the total |
| Retainer | A device that keeps the teeth in place after treatment | It comes up again after treatment ends |
A number that looks unusually low is sometimes an estimate that lists only the appliance. Estimates that are not total amounts cannot be compared with each other. What to check during a consultation is summarized in how to check things in an orthodontic consultation.
How much does orthodontic treatment cost at Wonjin Dental?
| Orthodontic item | Price |
|---|---|
| Orthodontic diagnosis | ₩100,000 |
| Comprehensive orthodontics – Clippy C (self-ligating brackets) | ₩5,000,000 |
| Partial orthodontics (MTA) | ₩1,800,000 |
| Clear aligners (Seraphin) | ₩2,500,000 |
| Orthodontic mini-screw | ₩100,000 |
| Retainer (fixed / clear / removable) | ₩300,000 each |
| Fee for re-treating relapse after a long absence from visits | ₩300,000 |
As of September 2026, VAT included (cosmetic treatment). The full list is on all treatment fees. Which items you need is explained along with the plan after diagnosis.
Even when the plan changes and items such as mini-screws or a remade retainer are added, the price is exactly what is written on that line of the table. We do not charge amounts that are not in the table.
If partial orthodontics is cheaper, can I just get partial orthodontics?
First, it has to be a case where it works. Partial orthodontics moves only a limited number of teeth, such as the front teeth, so it takes less time and costs less, but it cannot correct how the molars bite together. If this judgment is wrong, you end up having orthodontics again, and the total actually becomes larger.
A less visible appliance does not reduce the scope either. The teeth that need to move and the bite determine the scope. In the end, an accurate diagnosis saves more money than a cheap estimate.
The price difference between clear aligners and bracket orthodontics follows the same principle. With clear aligners, making the trays is a large part of the cost, while with bracket orthodontics, the adjustments at each visit are, so the structure is different. Which one fits is decided by the movement plan, and the price comes after that.
Is an estimate that is only low in number okay?
Check what has been reduced. Orthodontics is a treatment that changes the force while checking which direction the teeth are moving, for as short as a few months or as long as more than 2 years. To hit a low number, time has to be cut somewhere, and usually it is the treatment time and the management of visits that get cut.
Also ask who looks at your teeth at each visit, whether the same doctor sees you from diagnosis to finish, and whether there are rules for stopping partway or re-treating. A difference in price is not the same as a difference in skill. You can only judge by comparing under the same conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay for orthodontics all at once?
Many places offer a way to pay in installments over the treatment period. Please check Wonjin Dental’s payment options during your consultation.
Does orthodontic treatment cost more for adults?
Wonjin Dental’s fee table is not divided by age. However, adults may also need treatments such as gum treatment because of the condition of their gums and bone or existing restorations.
Are there costs after orthodontic treatment ends?
There is a cost for retainers. In Wonjin Dental’s table, fixed, clear, and removable retainers are listed separately at ₩300,000 each, and which retainer you need is decided based on the result of your orthodontic treatment.
Why is the orthodontic diagnosis fee charged separately?
Because it is the process of deciding, through X-rays, an intraoral scan, photos, and analysis, whether you need orthodontics and which method fits. Depending on the diagnosis, I sometimes tell people that it is better not to have orthodontics.
