Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mmarion1234]

I am teaching in South Korea in Feb and was curious as to how it works if you have braces. I know here in the states its pretty easy to find a new ortho, is it in South Korea? Is it expensive? Has anyone taught with braces on!?

[keflyn]

I am also interesting in this as I have braces. I was just going to wait until I've had them taken off before going.

[yashi]

Lots of Koreans with braces in their 20's and 30's, so no worries about "image shock". You might actually be quite fancied for them. Not sure from your post if you want them or are looking for a "tune up" ortho. I've taught a few orths's and have a few dentist friends. If you PM me, I send some reference to save you a bit.

[mmarion1234]

Hey there! I cant PM because I havent written a minimum of 25 posts...hmmm...but I am looking just to have the adjustments.

where are your ortho friends at? I will be in either Busan or Daegu

[PatrickBateman]

Yes.

Yes.

PM me, I'm too lazy to type it out at the moment.

[wsung01]

My friend's mother is an orthodontist in gangnam. She attended dental school in the states (University of Michigan & Columbia). if you want her info let me know.

[Skylight]

Hi! I heard that Korea apparently has some cheap braces, a few that can even be had at $1,000. I tried one english speaking dentist and saw it would have cost about $6k. I was wondering if you can get cheaper braces so long as you forgo the english speaking..... anyone know a dentist that speaks reasonably good english and can offer me metal braces for under $3k?

[Ice Tea]

I got braces here. Back in 2008. I had my top set of teeth straightened. No one said anything to me about wearing them and after a week you'll be able to speak clearly with them on.

I went to a lady who specialized in adult braces. Her office is in Doonchon-dong in Gangdong-gu. Here's the location

http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Gangdong-gu,+Seoul,+South+Korea&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=43.549762,114.169922&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Gangdong-gu,+Seoul,+South+Korea&ll=37.528806,127.137123&spn=0.001625,0.003484&z=19

It's in the same building as the Gangdong Hanwiiwon.

She did a great job. But it wasn't cheap. About $3000. She doesn't speak much English. Just enough.

[TD]

There's one member here who talks about this a lot on her blog. She pokes her head in here once in a while, but she's probably having too much fun at the moment. Here's a collection of her wisdom:

http://onlyinkorea87.wordpress.com/getting-braces-in-south-korea/

[Skylight]

Thank you for your help!

I'm looking into Kid's Papa dentist. It's a kid's dentist, but the guy is liscened to do adult teeth too. He has a special deal for english teachers. So if you're an english teacher, he'll do your braces for $2,800-$3,500.
This is the website: http://www.kidspapa.com/index2.html

[shostahoosier]

I have braces that I got here in Korea. They're clear braces and no one even noticed at first.

After I told them they noticed for about a day and now no one brings it up again. People have brought up how well my teeth are correcting and now some of my co-workers are looking into getting braces

It's also a good excuse to not eat the strange food that I get offered sometimes ("Oh sorry, I would love to try it but my mouth hurts as I just got my braces tightened").

Korea is probably the best time to get braces, especially if you'll be here for more then a year as you'll be mostly around kids (if you're a teacher) and you'll feel less self-conscious (at least I do). The only hard thing might be for those who are more promiscuous than most. You may need to take a few weekends off.

Orthodontists will also sign you up without the hassles of a loan or credit check (if that's a problem for you) and are pretty good with payment plans.

I'm paying about $4,500 for my braces (high for Korea) but I love my dentist and the service I get (ha! no perverted responses please).

[keflyn]

I'm coming up to 3 years with my braces in and not sure how long I've got left. Should I need to bring all my paper work with me about my braces before heading to Korea?

[Okibum]

I had braces back in 2007. I went to one of the foreigner friendly places in Apgujeong that speak perfect English and cater to the US military community and paid premium prices. 6 million won! I would stay away from Columbia Dental in Apgu.

[Slowmotion]