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Blanche Dental Clinic
Adult Orthodontics

Adult orthodontics: your gums and bone matter more than your age

Teeth can still move in your 30s and 40s. But adult orthodontics has to consider your gums, bone and any treatment you've already had. An orthodontic specialist checks these first, then helps you choose an appliance that fits your work life.

  • Treated personally by Dr. Juhee Baek, orthodontic specialist (22 years)
  • Gums and bone checked first
  • Order of crowns and implants planned in
  • Open until 9 p.m. on Tue · Wed
Consult with photos Call +82-1877-2882
Common concerns

Braces in your 30s or 40s — is it okay to start now?

Many people who put off braces as students reconsider them once they're working. In adult orthodontics, what makes people hesitate is usually not age but gums, work and treatment time. If even one of these applies to you, start by checking your current condition.

It is also called adult braces or orthodontics for working adults.

  • I couldn't get braces as a student — I wonder if it's okay to start at my age
  • Gaps between my front teeth have widened and my lower teeth look more crowded than before
  • I've been told my gums are weak, so I'm worried about braces
  • I have many meetings and presentations, so visible braces feel like a burden
  • I have crowns or implants and don't know if braces are possible
  • I had braces before, but my teeth shifted back because I didn't wear my retainer
  • I've hesitated for years, worried it will take too long
Appliances

Appliances used in adult orthodontics

After diagnosis, the dentist chooses among clear aligners, tooth-colored brackets and lingual (inside) appliances to suit your lifestyle and tooth condition.

  • Adult woman putting in a clear aligner
    Clear aligners (Invisalign · Angel Aligner) · sample image
  • Clippy-C appliance at Blanche Dental, actual photo
    Tooth-colored brackets (Clippy-C)
  • 2D lingual appliance on the inside of the teeth at Blanche Dental, actual photo
    Lingual appliance (2D)

Includes real Blanche Dental photos (published with consent) and sample images.

What's different for adults

How is adult orthodontics different from teen orthodontics?

The way teeth move is the same at any age. What differs are the conditions around the teeth.

  • 01

    Growth has finished

    Appliances that use jaw growth are hard to use. We first separate whether the problem can be solved by tooth position or comes from the jawbone itself.

  • 02

    Gums and bone vary widely

    Some people have gum inflammation or thinning gum bone. We adjust how far and how fast teeth move to suit your condition.

  • 03

    You may have had treatment already

    If you have crowns, bridges, implants or root-canal-treated teeth, the order of orthodontics and these treatments has to be planned together.

  • What adult orthodontics can offer

    • Once crowded teeth are straightened, brushing is easier and less food gets stuck
    • An even bite helps reduce force concentrating on certain teeth
    • Tooth positions can be arranged before crowns or implants
    • The alignment of the front teeth that show when you smile can change

  • What adults need to accept

    • If gum or cavity treatment is needed first, the start may be delayed
    • Depending on gum bone, there may be limits to how far teeth can move
    • If the gums between teeth had already receded, black triangles may appear as the teeth straighten
    • Discomfort while adjusting to the appliance, root resorption and relapse are possible for adults too
Before braces

What to check first in adult orthodontics

In adult orthodontics, there are often things to sort out before the appliance goes on. Below is the general order; the actual order is set after seeing your exam results.

Table of current conditions
Current conditionWhat's done before bracesWhy
Gums are swollen and bleed when brushingCalm the inflammation first with scaling and gum treatmentMoving teeth with inflammation can put more strain on the gums and bone
Gum bone is thin or gums have recededCheck the bone on X-rays and set how far and how fast teeth moveThe plan must keep teeth from being pushed out of the bone
Teeth needing cavity or root canal treatmentTreat before bracesTreatment is harder once the appliance is on, and they can cause pain during treatment
A missing tooth with an implant plannedSet the timing and position of the implant within the orthodontic planImplants don't move with orthodontics, so if placed first, their position becomes the reference
Existing crowns or bridgesCheck in advance whether they'll need redoing after bracesBridges join teeth together and limit movement, and may not fit after orthodontics
Considering veneersAlign the teeth first, then plan veneersOnce aligned, veneers can more often be done with less or no trimming
Jaw clicks or hurtsCheck the jaw joint firstOrthodontics changes the bite, so jaw joint symptoms need to be looked at too

At Blanche, gum inflammation is treated before orthodontics, and if an implant is needed, its timing and position are set within the orthodontic plan. Planning orthodontics, gum treatment, implants and veneers at one clinic lets the order be set from the start. When each treatment is done at a different clinic, an implant already placed or a crown already made can sometimes narrow what orthodontics can do.

Choosing an appliance

Braces while working: how to choose an appliance

Your tooth condition decides which appliances can be used, and within those you choose what fits your life. Dr. Juhee Baek makes the final decision on which appliance you need after diagnosis and consultation.

  • Clear · removable

    Invisalign clear aligners

    Being clear, they're usually noticeable only up close, and you can take them out to eat. We scan with the iTero digital scanner and preview the result with a 3D simulation.

    Learn more →
  • Clear · removable

    Angel Aligner

    Another clear aligner; Angel Aligner is also scanned with the iTero digital scanner. We've laid out how it differs from Invisalign and how to choose.

    Learn more →
  • Tooth-colored · fixed

    Clippy-C braces

    A tooth-colored ceramic appliance with a sliding-door self-ligating design. Because it's bonded in place, you don't have to keep track of wear time, and it's also used for extraction cases. We recommend it for people who find clear aligners difficult.

    Learn more →
  • Inside · fixed

    2D braces (lingual)

    A thin appliance bonded to the inside of the teeth, so it's barely visible from outside. Mainly considered for partial orthodontics of the front teeth.

    Learn more →
  • Only some teeth

    Partial orthodontics

    If only a few front teeth bother you, we first check whether just those teeth can be moved. Front-teeth partial orthodontics is often done on the inside (lingual) and can also be done with clear aligners; it usually takes 3–6 months.

    Learn more →
  • Partial appliance

    MTA braces

    A partial orthodontic method considered for refining the alignment of some teeth.

    Learn more →
Table of lifestyle concerns
Lifestyle concernDirection to consider first
Lots of presentations and face-to-face work; visible braces feel like a burdenClear aligners, or lingual braces bonded to the inside of the teeth
Worried about forgetting removed aligners; aligners feel like a hassleFixed, bonded appliances (Clippy-C ceramic self-ligating, lingual)
Frequent work dinners and eating outClear aligners: remove to eat, brush, then put back in; fixed braces: take care with hard and sticky foods
Only a few front teeth bother meFirst check whether partial orthodontics is possible
Frequent business trips make visits irregularVisit intervals and scheduling are worked out in advance at consultation

The table shows general tendencies. Clear aligners may not move teeth as planned if daily wear time isn't kept, and lingual appliances may take some getting used to at first for speech and the feeling of something in the mouth.

Process

The adult orthodontics process

A dentist spends an hour or more on the orthodontic consultation. If gum treatment or a sequence with crowns is needed, we explain that schedule too.

  1. 01

    Consultation · detailed exam

    Digital scans, X-rays and photos are used to check teeth, gums, bone and existing crowns.

  2. 02

    Treatment first

    If there's gum inflammation or cavities, they are treated before orthodontics.

  3. 03

    Plan

    We set out how far teeth will move, whether extraction is needed, the order of implants and crowns, and appliance options.

  4. 04

    Appliance placement

    The dentist places the appliance personally and explains how to brush and eat.

  5. 05

    Regular adjustments

    Movement is checked and adjusted while also watching the condition of your gums.

  6. 06

    Finishing · retainer

    The bite is checked, the appliance is removed, and a retainer holds the teeth in place.

Dr. Juhee Baek personally handles the consultation, appliance placement and final check. Full orthodontics typically takes 1 to 2.5 years and partial orthodontics 3–6 months, varying with how far teeth move and the condition of the gums and bone; we give you an estimate after the detailed exam.

During · after braces

Adult orthodontics: duration, care and retainers

Adult orthodontics doesn't necessarily take longer than for teens. What determines the duration is not age but how far teeth move, the condition of the gums and bone, and care.

Table of orthodontic types
Type of orthodonticsTypical duration
Full orthodontics1 to 2.5 years
Partial orthodontics3–6 months

Duration varies from person to person, and if gum or cavity treatment is needed before orthodontics, the start may be delayed accordingly.

  • 01

    Gum care

    Tartar builds up easily around appliances. Use an orthodontic toothbrush and interdental brushes; we also check your gums throughout treatment.

  • 02

    Wear time

    Clear aligners move teeth as planned only if you keep to the set wear time. Brush after meals and put them straight back in.

  • 03

    Visits

    You'll visit for every adjustment, so an easy-to-reach clinic matters. We're a 30-second walk from Nonhyeon Station Exit 4 and open until 9 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

  • 04

    Retainers

    Even after orthodontics, teeth tend to drift back. Wearing a retainer consistently and having regular check-ups is how you keep the result.

If you had braces before and your teeth shifted back because you didn't wear a retainer, adult orthodontics can correct them again. If the movement needed is smaller than the first time, partial orthodontics may be enough, so we set the scope after the exam.

Finishing after braces

Small gaps left after braces? No-prep veneers

Adults often have receded gums between teeth, so as crowded teeth straighten, small gaps or dark triangles (black triangles) may show. The same goes when teeth are small or unevenly shaped. In such cases, refining the shape with Blanche no-prep veneers can be considered.

If you're thinking about veneers when planning orthodontics, let us know from the start. We can decide in advance how much to move with orthodontics and where to refine with veneers.

  • Small gaps remain between my front teeth after braces
  • My teeth are aligned, but they look small
  • I see dark triangles near the gums between my teeth
  • After braces, I'd like to refine the color and edge shape of my teeth too
Before & after

Real Blanche orthodontic cases

Drag the photo left and right to compare before & after orthodontics.

Real Blanche orthodontic case · snaggletooth before treatment, with a protruding canine overlapping other teeth
Real Blanche orthodontic case · snaggletooth after treatment, with evenly aligned teeth
BeforeAfter
Real Blanche orthodontic case · snaggletoothSnaggletooth
Real Blanche orthodontic case 1, crowded front teeth before treatment
Real Blanche orthodontic case 1, crowded front teeth after treatment
BeforeAfter
Real Blanche orthodontic case 1 · crowded front teethOverlapping front teeth straightened
Real Blanche orthodontic case 2, asymmetric teeth before treatment
Real Blanche orthodontic case 2, asymmetric teeth after treatment
BeforeAfter
Real Blanche orthodontic case 2 · asymmetryUneven left and right sides evened out
Real Blanche orthodontic case 3, front teeth before treatment
Real Blanche orthodontic case 3, front teeth after treatment
BeforeAfter
Real Blanche orthodontic case 3 · front teethUneven front teeth aligned

Real Blanche Dental orthodontic cases, published with the patients' consent. The appliance used and treatment time differ by case, and results vary from person to person. During orthodontics, pain or discomfort while adjusting to the appliance, gum inflammation or cavities with insufficient care, root resorption, and relapse after treatment may occur.

Cost

Adult orthodontics cost

Base prices are below; the final amount depends on the appliance type, treatment scope and any treatment needed before orthodontics, and is given item by item after the detailed exam. Orthodontic fees are not subject to VAT.

Cost table
ItemCost
Detailed exam and diagnosisKRW 200,000 (included in the total if you proceed with treatment)
Invisalign clear alignersFrom KRW 1,000,000 (varies with treatment scope)
Clear aligner front-teeth partial orthodontics (Invisalign Express)KRW 1,000,000
MTA braces · partial orthodonticsKRW 1,800,000 (per arch, upper or lower; retainer extra)
Angel AlignerSame as Invisalign (from KRW 1,000,000)
Other appliances (Clippy-C, etc.)Quoted after the detailed exam
Adjustment feeKRW 50,000 per month (usually once a month; patients living overseas can visit once every 6 months)
Retainers · gum or cavity treatment before orthodonticsIf needed, quoted after the exam
  • 01

    Broken down by item

    We separate the detailed exam, appliance, adjustments and retainer, and tell you what's included.

  • 02

    Prior treatment shown separately

    If gum or cavity treatment is needed, we list those items separately.

  • 03

    Feel free to decide at home

    We go over every explanation at least four times. Take your time to think it over before deciding.

  • Prices for all treatments are on our full price list.
  • Approximate USD: KRW 200,000 ≈ USD 145, KRW 1,000,000 ≈ USD 735, KRW 1,800,000 ≈ USD 1,325, KRW 50,000 ≈ USD 35 (based on USD 1 = KRW 1,359).
Dr. Juhee Baek, orthodontic specialist with 22 years of experience at Blanche Dental
22-year orthodontic specialist

From start to finish, Dr. Juhee Baek treats you personally

At Blanche, orthodontic specialist Dr. Juhee Baek, who has practiced only orthodontics for 22 years, personally consults, places your appliance and checks the finish. Orthodontic specialists are only about 5% of dentists in Korea.

"With know-how built up over countless orthodontic cases, I will treat you with care and comfort."

  • Valedictorian, Kyung Hee University College of Dentistry
  • Orthodontics residency, Kyung Hee University Dental Hospital
  • Master of Dental Science in Orthodontics, Kyung Hee University Graduate School of Dentistry
  • Specialist and certified member, Korean Association of Orthodontists
  • 10,000+ orthodontic cases treated over 22 years
  • Presented an outstanding non-extraction orthodontic case at Osaka Dental University, Japan
Dr. Kyungri Park, Integrated Dentistry specialist at Blanche Dental
Treating together

Integrated Dentistry specialist Dr. Kyungri Park

Drawing on her experience as an orthodontic clinic director, she treats orthodontic patients together with Dr. Juhee Baek. Cavity and gum care during orthodontics and finishing work such as veneers afterward are all continued within one clinic.

  • Graduate of Stanford University
  • Graduate of Seoul National University College of Dentistry
  • Master's, Seoul National University Graduate School of Dentistry
  • Clinical training at UCLA and Columbia University dental hospitals (USA)
  • Former orthodontics director · former chief director of an orthodontic clinic
FAQ

Adult orthodontics: common questions

Is it too late to start orthodontics in my 30s or 40s?
Teeth move the same way at any age, so if your gums and bone are healthy, orthodontics is possible in your 30s, 40s and beyond. What matters more than age is the condition of your gums and bone and any treatment you've had, so we check these first with a detailed exam.
Does adult orthodontics take longer than for teens?
Not necessarily. Full orthodontics generally takes 1 to 2.5 years and partial orthodontics 3–6 months; the duration depends less on age than on how far teeth move, whether extraction is needed, gum and bone condition, the appliance and care (it varies by person). We give you an estimated duration after the detailed exam.
My gums are weak. Can I still get braces?
At Blanche, if there's gum inflammation, we first calm it with scaling and gum treatment before starting orthodontics. If the gum bone is thin, we adjust how far and how fast teeth move. An exam confirms whether your gums are in good enough condition for orthodontics.
I heard braces make your gums recede. Is that true?
Gums can recede if teeth are moved far toward the outside of the bone where the gum bone is thin, or if inflammation develops from insufficient care. That's why we check the bone and set the scope before orthodontics, and keep checking the gums throughout treatment.
Can I get braces if I have implants or crowns?
In many cases, yes. But implants don't move with orthodontics, and bridges join teeth together, limiting movement. We set the scope of movement with these teeth in mind, and explain in advance whether crowns may need redoing after orthodontics.
I have a missing tooth. Should I get the implant first?
It depends. Once placed, an implant doesn't move, so sometimes it's better to place it after orthodontics has arranged the teeth, and sometimes it's placed first at a position set to fit the orthodontic plan. At Blanche, the implant timing and position are set within the orthodontic plan.
Can I keep my braces unnoticeable at work?
Clear aligners are usually noticeable only up close, and lingual braces bonded to the inside of the teeth are barely visible from outside. Tooth-colored ceramic appliances are also less noticeable than metal. Which appliances can be used depends on your teeth, so we choose together after the exam.
Won't they be inconvenient at work dinners or when eating out?
Clear aligners can be taken out while you eat and put back in after brushing. Fixed appliances don't need to be removed, but hard or sticky foods can knock them off, so some care is needed.
Only my front teeth are uneven. Will partial orthodontics work?
If moving only the front teeth is enough, partial orthodontics can be considered. Front-teeth partial orthodontics is often done lingually and can also be done with clear aligners; it usually takes 3–6 months. However, if the lack of space comes from the back teeth or the bite, full orthodontics may be needed, so we check with a detailed exam.
Do adults always need extractions for braces?
Not necessarily. We decide based on how much space is lacking, how far the mouth protrudes, and the thickness of the gum bone. We explain the pros and cons of both extraction and non-extraction.
Do braces hurt more for adults?
It's hard to say they hurt much more because of age. For a few days after the appliance is placed or adjusted, your teeth may feel sore and uncomfortable, and the degree varies from person to person.
Can I come after work?
We're open until 9 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, until 7 p.m. on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, and until 2 p.m. on Saturdays. We're also open on alternate Sundays. Blanche is a 30-second walk from Nonhyeon Station Exit 4.
How long do I need to wear a retainer?
Teeth tend to drift back to their original positions even after orthodontics, so it's best to wear a retainer for a long time. Wear time and duration depend on your treatment, so we explain them at the finish and check your condition at regular check-ups.
I had braces before, but my teeth shifted again. Can I redo them?
Yes, orthodontics can be done again. If the shift is small, partial orthodontics may be enough. We check why the teeth shifted, and this time we plan the retainer as well.
What if gaps remain after orthodontics?
If small gaps or black triangles remain because of tooth size or the gums, refining the shape with Blanche no-prep veneers can be considered. You can discuss this in advance at the orthodontic planning stage.
How much does adult orthodontics cost?
The diagnosis fee is KRW 200,000 (≈ USD 145; included in the total if you proceed) and the adjustment fee is KRW 50,000 (≈ USD 35) per month. Appliances start from KRW 1,000,000 (≈ USD 735) for Invisalign, and KRW 1,800,000 (≈ USD 1,325) for MTA braces and partial orthodontics (per arch, upper or lower; retainer extra). The final amount, including other appliances and any gum or cavity treatment before orthodontics, is quoted item by item after the detailed exam.
I live abroad. Can I get a consultation?
Yes. Send two photos — one front-facing and one smiling — via WhatsApp, and a dentist will review them first. Consultations are available in English, Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Russian, and the final plan is set after a detailed exam.

Reviewed by Dr. Juhee Baek (orthodontic specialist, 22 years; Master's in Orthodontics, Kyung Hee University Graduate School of Dentistry) · Last updated

Location

Blanche Dental Clinic, Nonhyeon Station, Gangnam

A 30-second walk from Exit 4 of Nonhyeon Station, on Gangnam-daero.

Subway

30-second walk from Exit 4, Nonhyeon Station (Line 7, Shinbundang Line)

Address

7F, 531 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul (Banpo-dong)

Hours

Mon, Thu, Fri 10:30–19:00Tue, Wed 10:30–21:00 (late hours)Sat 10:00–14:00 · Sun every other week
Naver MapKakao MapGoogle Maps

7F, 531 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul (Banpo-dong)

30-second walk from Exit 4, Nonhyeon Station (Line 7, Shinbundang Line)

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Is now the right time to start? Check your gums and bone first

Send us two photos — one front-facing and one smiling. A dentist will review them personally and tell you what to check before orthodontics.

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Send us a front photo and a smiling photo — a dentist will review them and reply.

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