Washington Dental
Washington Dental Orthodontic Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul
Braces in Gangnam, Seoul
ONE-DAY start · custom brackets · non-extraction options
The ONE-DAY program takes you from diagnosis to bonded braces in a single day, and custom brackets are designed from a computer analysis of your own teeth. Orthodontics planned to fit a busy schedule.
At Washington Dental in Gangnam, braces can be started on your first visit through the ONE-DAY program, which combines consultation, records, treatment planning and bonding in one day. Brackets can be custom-made, crowded teeth are sometimes treated without extractions, and adjustment visits are usually every 4 to 8 weeks.
Our orthodontic programs in brief
- ONE-DAY programConsultation, records, treatment planning and bonding, which usually take 2 to 3 visits, done in one day
- Custom bracketsEvery subtle angle of your teeth is analyzed by computer and brackets are made to fit your teeth
- Non-extraction treatmentCrowded or crooked teeth can sometimes be improved without extractions, depending on the diagnosis
- Evening hoursOpen until 20:00 on weekdays, so regular adjustments can fit after work
- Treating doctorDr. Keun-Hye Lee, board-certified orthodontic specialist, sees you personally · +82-2-552-3000
Orthodontic programs at Washington Dental
ONE-DAY program, braces started in a single day
In short, braces can be bonded on the day of your first visit. Orthodontic treatment usually needs 2 to 3 visits for the consultation, records (X-rays and scans), treatment planning and bonding. Washington Dental's ONE-DAY program does all of this in one day for working adults, students and people who live abroad and are short on time. Call ahead to find out whether a same-day start is possible for you.
Custom brackets, made to measure
Even with the same malocclusion, the shape and angle of each person's teeth are different. With custom orthodontics, your teeth are analyzed in detail before treatment, an identical model is made, the post-treatment result is recreated on computer, and brackets are custom-made to match that result. Appliances that fit your own teeth improve the precision of treatment.
Non-extraction treatment for crowded teeth. Do teeth really have to come out?
In short, not every case of crowding needs extractions. Advances in diagnosis mean more cases can now be treated without extractions. The point is not that non-extraction is always better, but that the treatment should suit your teeth. We measure how far the teeth need to move, the condition of the bone and how far the lips protrude, then decide on extraction or non-extraction treatment and explain the reasoning to you.
Types of braces compared
In short, there is no single right appliance, only the one that suits your teeth and your daily life. Here is how the options compare.
| Appliance | Visibility | Features | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal brackets | Visible | The longest clinical history, sturdy and efficient tooth movement | People who put cost efficiency and treatment efficiency first |
| Ceramic brackets | Less visible | Similar to tooth color, so less noticeable. Bulkier than metal and can chip. | People who want braces but are concerned about appearance |
| Tooth-colored resin brackets | Less visible | Similar to tooth color. Less likely to wear the opposing teeth and tend to cause less damage to natural teeth if they come off. | People who want a discreet look and are concerned about protecting their natural teeth |
| Self-ligating brackets (such as Clippy-C) | Less visible | The wire is held by a clip instead of elastic ties. Lower friction tends to make adjustments less uncomfortable. | People sensitive to pain, or who want longer intervals between visits |
| Clear aligners | Discreet | Removable clear appliances. Easy to keep clean. Success depends on wearing them 22+ hours a day. | Working adults, people living abroad, anyone uncomfortable with visible appliances |
| Lingual braces | Not visible from outside | Bonded to the inner side of the teeth. The tongue needs time to adapt. | People whose work means braces must not show |
Dr. Keun-Hye Lee is a member of the American Lingual Orthodontic Association and treats with every appliance type, including lingual braces. She recommends an appliance based on how far the teeth need to move, the bite and your daily routine, not on price.
Why do orthodontic fees differ between clinics? What a quote is made of
In short, most of the difference in totals between clinics comes from items not included in the appliance fee. That is why the figure you see in an advertisement can differ from the real total. When comparing quotes, check whether each item below is included or charged separately.
| Item | What it covers | When it is charged |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnosis and records | X-rays, intraoral scan, analysis | Once, before treatment |
| Appliance fee | Brackets or aligners (advertised prices usually cover only this) | When the appliance is fitted |
| Monthly adjustment fee | Adjustments at each regular visit, adding up over the treatment period | Each visit |
| Mini-screws (orthodontic anchors) | When extra anchorage is needed for tooth movement | If needed |
| Orthodontic extractions | Per tooth, in extraction cases | If needed |
| Retainers | Appliances that prevent relapse. Remaking a lost or broken retainer is charged separately. | After braces come off |
After diagnosis, Washington Dental tells you exactly which items the quoted fee includes, and the itemized non-covered fee schedule is posted in the clinic. A higher price does not mean a better clinic. Whether an orthodontic specialist treats you personally, whether the plan is backed by evidence and how retention is managed are more reliable ways to judge.
Orthodontic pain, stage by stage
In short, it does not hurt all the time. The sore days are predictable. "How much does it hurt?" is the most common question at consultations. Pain varies a lot between people, but this is the usual pattern.
| Stage | What to expect | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Right after bonding | Days 1 to 3 are the most uncomfortable, more than the bonding day itself, then you adapt quickly | No anesthetic is needed for bonding |
| After a wire change or adjustment | 1 to 2 days of pressure on the teeth. Soft food is recommended. | If you are sensitive to pain, the adjustment force can be reduced |
| Extractions and mini-screws | Done under local anesthetic, with little pain during the procedure | These are the only two steps that need an anesthetic |
| From mid-treatment on | Most people adapt to a level that does not affect daily life | Irritation such as mouth ulcers is eased with orthodontic wax |
Retainers, because treatment does not end when the braces come off
In short, teeth tend to move back toward their old positions throughout life, so retainer care is part of the treatment. Neglecting retainers is a common reason teeth shift and need retreatment. Washington Dental explains this before treatment starts.
- Right after the braces come off, retainers are worn for long hours. Once the teeth are stable, wear is reduced mostly to sleep.
- If a retainer feels tight after a few days without it, the teeth have already started to move.
- Removable or fixed (bonded behind the teeth) retainers are chosen to suit your teeth. Lost or broken retainers need to be remade.
- How long and how to wear them varies by case and is adjusted together at regular check-ups.
The treatment process
- Detailed diagnosis. Panoramic, cephalometric and CT X-rays, an intraoral scan, intraoral and facial photographs, TMJ (jaw joint) and bite analysis.
- Treatment plan consultation. The method, duration and fees (with included items stated) are explained and decided together.
- Fitting the appliance. Brackets or clear aligners (bonded on the day of diagnosis in the ONE-DAY program).
- Regular adjustments. Visits every 4 to 8 weeks to guide tooth movement.
- Removal and retention. Retainers stabilize the result.
Media coverage (in Korean)
- "Non-extraction treatment for crowded teeth. Is it really possible without pulling teeth?", interview with Dr. Lee, Korea AI Real Estate News (January 2026)
Questions about braces
Why do orthodontic fees differ from clinic to clinic?
Do braces hurt a lot?
Is orthodontic treatment for cleft lip and palate covered by health insurance?
Is a more expensive clinic a better clinic?
Do I really have to wear a retainer for life?
Does the ONE-DAY program mean treatment is finished in one day?
Read more
Last updated: October 2026 · Reviewed by Dr. Keun-Hye Lee, board-certified orthodontic specialist