How to Save on Orthodontic Treatment Costs and Still Get Good Results

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As a student, the cost of orthodontic treatment feels too burdensome...

Many people want to get orthodontic treatment, but the cost ends up being the biggest obstacle.

This can be an even more realistic concern if you are a student or just starting your career.

Whenever that happens, I ask this:

"What are you most worried about?"

"Is it the orthodontic treatment cost, a noticeable appliance, or anxiety about whether the results will turn out well?"

Hello.

I’m Oh Soo-hwan, a board-certified orthodontic specialist certified by the Ministry of Health and Welfare with 18 years of experience.

In today’s post, for those concerned about orthodontic treatment costs,

1. criteria for choosing an appliance that can help you manage treatment costs wisely

2. and the key points in choosing the right medical professional

I’ll cover both together.

I’ve included the exact advice I give my patients.

If you’re considering orthodontic treatment, feel free to read slowly for a moment.

<Before-and-after treatment photos>

Treatment period: 23.05.15 - 24.10.21 (about 1 year and 6 months)

Treatment performed: crowded teeth, alignment improvement

Treatment period: 23.01.18 - 24.6.04 (about 1 year and 6 months)

Treatment performed: protrusion, midline improvement

*The before-and-after photos were posted with the patient’s consent, and they were taken in the same environment and under the same conditions.

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Which orthodontic appliance should you choose?

Orthodontic treatment cost

Doctor, which appliance should I use?

I don’t want it to be noticeable,

and I don’t want the cost to be too burdensome either.

This is the question I hear most often from first-time visitors.

This is a completely natural concern.

There are many types of orthodontic appliances, and the costs vary quite a bit.

So before I talk about appliances, I always ask this:

“What is the most important thing to you right now?”

Whether cost is the top priority, whether appearance matters most, or whether you want the treatment period to be shorter.

That needs to be heard first, and then explained afterward.

To put it simply,

metal brackets are durable and relatively inexpensive, so many students choose them.

That said, some people do feel burdened by how visible they are.

Ceramic brackets are less noticeable and are the next step up in price, so many office workers choose them.

There are also appliances such as lingual braces (attached to the inside) and Invisalign (clear plastic aligners).

These are better aesthetically, but they cost a bit more and require some adjustment to daily habits.

In the case of Invisalign, you need to wear them for more than 20 hours a day to see results.

Each appliance has clear pros and cons.

That’s why I always speak calmly with the patient first and then sort out their priorities together.

Orthodontic treatment cost, aesthetics, discomfort, difficulty of care, and so on.

That process may take a little time,

but after that, people are usually satisfied with the appliance they chose themselves.

Rather than forcing a recommendation, helping the patient understand and choose for themselves is

one of the things I value most.

Which medical professional should you choose?

Orthodontic treatment cost

Many people talk easily about orthodontic appliances,

but they tend to be cautious when it comes to choosing a medical professional.

The question “Where is good?” is actually a very difficult one.

So instead, I tell people this:

First, make sure to check whether they are a board-certified orthodontic specialist.

Any dentist can provide orthodontic care.

But a board-certified orthodontic specialist is different.

They are someone who studied orthodontics exclusively for more than three years at a university hospital,

and who passed a nationally certified exam.

Orthodontic treatment requires looking at facial balance, the jaw joint, and gum health in a comprehensive way,

and a board-certified orthodontic specialist is someone who has been trained deeply in all of that.

Second, consider how many different cases they have experience with.

In my case, I have treated more than 4,000 orthodontic cases so far.

Even with the same appliance, the approach needs to change subtly depending on the patient’s age, face shape, and dental alignment.

In particular, for cases with protruding front teeth, a short lower jaw, or sensitive jaw joints,

there are points that can be missed if the practitioner does not have much orthodontic experience.

So rather than focusing on orthodontic treatment cost or outward image,

I sincerely hope you pay more attention to the actual treatment history and expertise.

Treatment may end within a few years.. but teeth last a lifetime.

Rather than thinking only about the cost for one or two years,

I hope you make your decision based on your entire future life.

If you still haven’t decided on an appliance or direction, you are welcome to come in for a consultation.

We will listen to your story first and think together about the most suitable direction. :)

This has been Oh Soo-hwan, the chief director of Smile D Dental Clinic. Thank you.