MTA braces:
straightening front teeth with tiny tubes
MTA braces are a partial orthodontic method that straightens a few front teeth using tube appliances smaller than regular brackets. First, we explain which front teeth it suits and when another method is better.
- Treated personally by Dr. Juhee Baek, orthodontic specialist (22 years)
- Partial orthodontics for front teeth
- Suitability and limits explained first
MTA braces:
will they work for my front teeth?
People who come asking about MTA braces usually want "just a few front teeth, with a small appliance". MTA is one of the appliances that fits that wish. But because the appliance is small, the range of movement is also limited, so we first need to check whether your front teeth fall within that range.
It is also called MTA partial orthodontics or mini-tube braces.
- One or two front teeth are slightly rotated or tilted
- My lower front teeth look a little crowded
- Wearing large brackets for a long time feels like a burden
- Front teeth I had straightened before have shifted a little
- I have no trouble chewing with my back teeth
- I've heard of an appliance called MTA and want to know exactly what it is
How MTA braces are placed
Small tube-shaped appliances are bonded to the outer surface of the teeth, and a thin wire straightens the front teeth.
MTA appliance on the outer surface of the lower front teeth 
Small appliances and a thin wire straighten the front teeth 
MTA appliance on the upper front teeth
These are real Blanche Dental photos, published with the patients' consent. The shape and position of the appliance depend on the teeth and the treatment plan.
What kind of appliance is MTA?
MTA stands for Mini Tube Appliance: as the name says, a very small tube-shaped orthodontic appliance. Below are its generally known features.
- 01
Small tube appliance
Instead of regular brackets with wings, only a small tube that the wire passes through is bonded to the tooth. Because it's small, it's known to feel less bulky against the lips.
- 02
Covered with tooth-colored material
The tube is placed on the outer surface of the tooth and secured by covering it with tooth-colored resin. Although it's on the outer surface, it's less noticeable than metal brackets.
- 03
Thin, flexible wire
A thin, elastic wire runs through the tubes and gradually aligns the front teeth with relatively light force.
MTA is mainly used for partial orthodontics of the front teeth. It suits mild twisting and crowding of the front teeth; it is not an appliance for changing the back-teeth bite or pulling back the whole mouth.
The smaller the appliance,
the more it takes an eye for where it fits
An appliance with a narrow range like MTA is easy on the patient when used in the right case, but used in the wrong case it can throw off the bite. An orthodontic specialist makes that judgment personally.
- 01
Specialist training
She completed an orthodontic residency at Kyung Hee University Dental Hospital and is a specialist and certified member of the Korean Association of Orthodontists.
- 02
About 5% of dentists in Korea
Orthodontic specialists make up about 5% of dentists in Korea.
- 03
22 years in orthodontics
Dr. Juhee Baek has practiced orthodontics for 22 years.
- 04
10,000+ cases
Over 22 years and more than 10,000 orthodontic cases, she has learned which cases suit each appliance.
MTA braces: the benefits and the trade-offs
What you can expect
- The appliance is small and covered with tooth-colored material, so it shows less
- It may feel less bulky against the lips and cheeks
- Because only the front teeth are treated, it usually takes 3–6 months, shorter than the 1 to 2.5 years of full treatment (varies by person)
- It's a wire appliance, so you don't need to track wear time as with removable aligners
Burdens and limits to accept
- The range of movement is narrow, mostly limited to the front teeth
- If roots need significant uprighting or teeth need a lot of rotation, extra adjustment may be needed to finish, or another appliance may suit better
- Sometimes the sides of teeth are trimmed very slightly to make room
- Food easily gets caught around the appliance, and with poor care, gum inflammation or cavities can develop
When MTA braces fit,
and when another option is better
MTA may be considered
- A few front teeth are mildly crowded or rotated
- Not much space is needed
- The back teeth meet well
- Only the front teeth shifted slightly after previous orthodontics
Another appliance may be better
- You want no visible appliance at all → 2D Lingual Braces
- You want to remove it for meals → Invisalign
- More movement is needed → Clippy-C
Full treatment should be considered first
- The back teeth don't meet properly
- The whole mouth looks pushed forward
- The front teeth bite in reverse or don't meet
- Teeth are severely crowded and a lot of space must be made
How we decide whether partial orthodontics suits you at all, and which of several appliances is better, is explained on our Partial Orthodontics page. This page covers just one appliance, MTA. Even for the same partial treatment of front teeth, Dr. Juhee Baek decides between MTA and 2D (lingual) braces after diagnosis. If an underbite or facial asymmetry concerns you, please also see our Non-Surgical Underbite & Asymmetry page.
MTA vs. regular bracket braces:
what's different?
These are general differences and may vary with each person's teeth.
The MTA braces process
Dr. Juhee Baek personally handles the consultation, placing the appliance and the final check.
- 01
Consultation
We ask which front teeth bother you and how you'd like them to look, and a dentist spends over an hour explaining.
- 02
Full exam
Photos, X-rays and an intraoral scan are used to check the bite and front-tooth roots and decide whether MTA suits you.
- 03
Planning
We decide which teeth to move and how much space is needed, and explain in advance whether trimming between teeth is needed.
- 04
Placing the appliance
The doctor personally bonds the small tubes and connects the wire.
- 05
Regular adjustments
You visit at set intervals so we can check progress and adjust the wire.
- 06
Finishing & retention
After the doctor checks the final result, the appliance is removed and a retainer is made.
Partial orthodontics such as MTA usually takes 3–6 months. It varies with the number of teeth and how far they move, so we'll give you an estimate after the full exam. Every explanation is repeated at least four times, and you're welcome to make your decision at home.
Care during MTA braces, and retainers
Even with a small appliance, you're still in orthodontic treatment. Following these four points helps protect your gums and teeth.
- 01
Clean around the appliance
Food easily gets caught between the tubes and wire. We'll recommend suitable tools such as interdental brushes.
- 02
Careful with hard foods
Biting hard foods with your front teeth can knock off the appliance. Cut food into small pieces.
- 03
Call if anything comes off
If a tube comes off or the wire pokes you, contact us right away.
- 04
Retainers
Even after the appliance is removed, front teeth tend to move again. Please wear your retainer consistently.
Orthodontics requires a visit for each adjustment, so travel distance matters. Blanche is a 30-second walk from Exit 4 of Nonhyeon Station, and we're open until 9 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
MTA braces cost
MTA braces are priced as partial orthodontics. We first confirm with a full exam that MTA suits you before starting.
- When comparing quotes, first check whether the exam, appliance and adjustment fees are all included.
- USD amounts are approximate, based on 1 USD = 1,359 KRW.
- You can see all fees in our full price list.
Real front-teeth cases at Blanche
Drag the photo left and right to compare before and after.
These are real Blanche Dental cases, published with the patients' consent. Treatment method, duration and results vary with each person's teeth. During treatment there may be pain or discomfort, gum inflammation or cavities with insufficient care, and rarely root resorption; relapse can occur if retainers are not worn.
From start to finish,
Dr. Juhee Baek sees you herself
At Blanche, Dr. Juhee Baek, an orthodontic specialist who has practiced only orthodontics for 22 years, personally handles the consultation, places the appliance and checks the final result. Orthodontic specialists make up only about 5% of dentists in Korea.
"With know-how built up over countless orthodontic cases, I will treat you with care and keep you comfortable."
- Graduated top of class, Kyung Hee University College of Dentistry
- Orthodontic residency, Kyung Hee University Dental Hospital
- Master's in Orthodontics, Kyung Hee University Graduate School of Dentistry
- Specialist and certified member, Korean Association of Orthodontists
- 10,000+ orthodontic cases over 22 years
- Presented an outstanding non-extraction case at Osaka Dental University, Japan
Integrated Dentistry specialist
Dr. Kyungri Park
Drawing on her experience as an orthodontics director, she treats orthodontic patients together with Dr. Juhee Baek. Cavity and gum care during treatment, and finishing work such as veneers afterward, are all carried out within one clinic.
- Graduate of Stanford University
- Graduate of Seoul National University School of Dentistry
- Master's, Seoul National University School of Dentistry
- Clinical training at UCLA and Columbia University dental hospitals (USA)
- Former orthodontics director and chief orthodontics director
Your questions about MTA braces
What are MTA braces?
Who is MTA partial orthodontics suitable for?
Are MTA braces visible?
Can MTA pull back a protruding mouth?
How long do MTA braces take?
How much do MTA braces cost?
Do MTA braces hurt?
Are my teeth shaved down for MTA braces?
Which is better, MTA or clear aligners?
How are MTA and 2D lingual braces different?
Can MTA be used on the lower front teeth?
Front teeth I had straightened before have shifted again. Will MTA work?
What if an MTA appliance comes off?
Are there foods I shouldn't eat during MTA treatment?
Do I need a retainer after MTA braces?
What if a gap remains between my front teeth after treatment?
Can I get a consultation from abroad or outside Seoul?
Reviewed by Dr. Juhee Baek (orthodontic specialist, 22 years; Master's in Orthodontics, Kyung Hee University Graduate School of Dentistry) · Last updated
Blanche Dental Clinic, Nonhyeon Station, Gangnam
A 30-second walk from Exit 4 of Nonhyeon Station, on Gangnam-daero.
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Are your front teeth right for MTA?
Check with photos first
Send us two photos, one of your face from the front and one smiling, and a dentist will look personally and tell you whether your case is within what MTA can correct.
Send us a front photo and a smiling photo — a dentist will review them and reply.
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