Washington Dental Orthodontic Clinic logo Washington Dental GANGNAM · SEOUL

FAQ · English

How do I find a good orthodontic clinic near Gangnam Station in Seoul?

Gangnam has hundreds of dental clinics. A few checks narrow the list quickly, even if you do not read Korean.

Check three things: whether the doctor is a board-certified orthodontic specialist, whether that same doctor handles every adjustment, and whether the clinic can plan appointments around your travel schedule.

Last reviewed 2026.08.03 · Reviewed by Dr. Keun-Hye Lee, Orthodontic Specialist

1. Board certification is a specific credential in Korea

In Korea, Orthodontics (치과교정과) is a recognised dental specialty. A dentist becomes a board-certified orthodontic specialist only after completing a residency and passing a national board examination, and only clinics with such a specialist may list it as a signposted specialty.

Several other credentials sound similar in translation. Society membership or a society-issued certificate is a separate qualification with different requirements, and phrases such as "orthodontic clinic" or "braces specialist" on a website are marketing language, not credentials. Ask directly whether the treating doctor is board-certified; certificates are usually displayed inside the clinic.

2. Ask who performs each visit

Treatment runs one to two and a half years, with an adjustment every four to eight weeks, and the result is shaped by decisions made at those visits rather than by the initial plan alone.

In some clinics the consultation is handled by a coordinator, the diagnosis by one doctor and the monthly adjustments by another. That is not necessarily bad, but you should know it in advance.

  • Who makes the diagnosis and treatment plan?
  • Will the same doctor perform every adjustment?
  • Who handles finishing and appliance removal?

3. Plan around your schedule before you start

If you travel often, live abroad, or expect to leave Korea before treatment ends, say so at the first visit — it changes which appliance makes sense. Clear aligners can be produced several stages ahead, so visit intervals can often be stretched, but 20–22 hours of daily wear is required. Fixed braces need the wire changed in the chair, so visits every four to six weeks are necessary.

A proper first workup takes about an hour and includes a panoramic X-ray, a lateral cephalometric X-ray, an intraoral scan and photographs. The cephalometric image shows the skeletal relationship between the jaws, so if a plan is proposed without it, ask why.

Checklist for choosing a clinic near Gangnam Station
What to checkWhat to askWarning sign
CertificationIs the doctor a board-certified orthodontic specialist?Answer shifts to years of experience only
Diagnostic recordsWill you take a cephalometric X-ray?A plan and a price before any records
Treating doctorWho performs each monthly adjustment?No named doctor assigned
RetentionHow long will you check my retainers?Deferred to "we'll see later"
FeesWhich items are included and which are extra?Only a single total figure
LanguageCan I get an English treatment plan and receipt?English at reception only

At Washington Dental Orthodontic Clinic

  • Dr. Keun-Hye Lee — board-certified orthodontic specialist (first residency-trained cohort), 30 years of clinical experience
  • Former Professor of Orthodontics, Catholic University of Korea · Former visiting and research professor, University of Washington
  • Opened near Gangnam Station in 2009 and has been the treating director ever since — diagnosis, every adjustment, finishing and retention are handled by the same doctor
  • Focus areas: non-surgical skeletal orthodontics (underbite, facial asymmetry, protrusion), clear aligners, and growth-phase treatment for children
  • Speaker on clear aligner treatment at SureSmile user sessions (2026.03, 2026.06), Bidex (2023.03) and Osstem annual meeting (2022.11)
  • Previously registered as a medical institution for attracting international patients with the Ministry of Health and Welfare; that registration is not currently active
  • Location: 2F Daekyung Bldg, 15 Seocho-daero 77-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul — 3 min walk from Gangnam Station Exit 9
  • Hours: Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri 11:00–20:00 (lunch 14:00–15:00), Sat 10:00–15:00, closed Thu/Sun/holidays — +82-2-552-3000

Outcomes vary by individual skeletal pattern, age and oral condition. Eligibility for any treatment is determined after an in-person diagnostic workup. Non-covered fees are posted at the clinic.

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People also ask

Can I get orthodontic treatment in Seoul if I only visit Korea a few times a year?
Often yes. Clear aligner treatment can be planned so that several stages are produced in advance, with procedures that require chair time — attachment bonding, interproximal reduction, refinement scans — grouped into your visits. Tell the clinic your travel pattern at the first appointment. Feasibility depends on the case and is confirmed after a full diagnostic workup.
How are orthodontic fees structured in Korea?
Orthodontics is not covered by Korean national health insurance. Rather than comparing totals, ask which items are included: diagnostic records, monthly adjustment fees, mini-screws, extractions and retainers. Korean law requires each clinic to post its non-covered fee schedule on site, so you can review the itemised list at the clinic.
How do I get to the clinic from Gangnam Station?
Washington Dental Orthodontic Clinic is a three-minute walk from Exit 9 of Gangnam Station, served by Seoul Subway Line 2 and the Shinbundang Line. The address is 2F Daekyung Building, 15 Seocho-daero 77-gil, Seocho-gu. Parking is limited, so public transport is recommended.
Diagnosis comes first. This page is general medical information. Whether a given treatment applies to you, and its method, duration and cost, can only be determined after an in-person diagnostic workup (X-ray and intraoral scan). Appointments: +82-2-552-3000

Last updated: 2026.08.03 · Reviewed by Dr. Keun-Hye Lee, Orthodontic Specialist