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Continuing Orthodontic Treatment Started Abroad
If you move to Seoul partway through braces or aligners, treatment can usually continue. At Yonsei Baro, near Isu Station, orthodontist Dr. Sally Chaekyung Lee reviews your previous records, examines your teeth and appliance, and explains in English how she would continue your case, with a written estimate before you decide.
Transferring in at a glance
| Question | At Yonsei Baro |
|---|---|
| Who it is for | Patients who started braces or aligners in another country and now live in Seoul |
| Bring | Previous records, appliance details, recent X-rays, current aligners or retainers, passport or Residence Card |
| First visit | About 60 minutes: scans, X-rays or 3D CT, photos and examination |
| Afterwards | A plan to continue, adjust or restart, with a timeline and written estimate |
| Appliances | Metal, ceramic and lingual braces; Invisalign and Angel Aligner |
| Language | Consultation and every explanation in English |
Can orthodontic treatment be continued in Korea?
In most cases, yes. Orthodontists around the world use similar principles, and braces and clear aligners are widely used in Korea. What changes is the person supervising your treatment. A new orthodontist has to understand what your previous orthodontist planned, how far your teeth have moved, and whether the original plan still fits what they see now.
A transfer is also a chance to check the plan. Dr. Lee explains what she would keep, what she might change and why.
What records should I bring?
The more information you bring, the smoother the transfer. Ask your current orthodontist for copies before you leave, ideally in English:
- Initial records: X-rays, photographs and digital scans or study models taken before treatment
- Your diagnosis and treatment plan, including whether any teeth were extracted or planned for extraction
- Progress notes and the most recent X-rays and photographs
- Appliance details: bracket system and prescription, current wire size, any elastics or other auxiliaries
- For aligners: brand, case details, your current aligner number and how many remain, plus any unused aligners
- A transfer letter summarising what remains to be done
Please also bring your passport or Residence Card, and any current aligners or retainers. If you do not have every record, come anyway; Dr. Lee can take new records here. You can send what you have in advance via WhatsApp or email so we can review it before your visit.
How Dr. Lee assesses a transfer case
Your first visit takes about 60 minutes. Dr. Lee takes an intraoral digital scan, X-rays and, when useful, a 3D CT scan, along with photographs, and examines your teeth, bite, gums and roots. She compares this with your previous records to see how treatment has progressed.
She then explains the options. Often the simplest route is to continue with the same approach. Sometimes brackets need to be replaced, a new wire sequence planned or the end goal refined. You receive an estimated timeline and a written estimate before any change is made. Fees for continued treatment depend on what remains to be done; see how orthodontic fees are set .
Continuing braces
Dr. Lee works with metal, ceramic and lingual braces . Your existing brackets can often stay in place. If they come from a system we do not use, or several are loose, some or all may need to be replaced so that the wires and brackets work together as planned. She will explain why before anything is changed. Lingual braces transfers need particular care because they are often custom-made, so please bring as much detail as possible.
Continuing clear aligners
If your treatment uses Invisalign , Dr. Lee, a 2026 Invisalign Purple Diamond Provider, can discuss continuing your case here. Invisalign cases are generally moved between doctors through Align Technology’s case-transfer process, which involves both your previous and your new orthodontist, so tell your current orthodontist you are moving before you leave. Bring your current and any unused aligners.
For Angel Aligner cases, bring your case details and aligners in the same way. If a transfer is not possible, or the plan needs updating, Dr. Lee can take a new scan and plan the remaining movements. Keep wearing your current aligner as instructed until you are seen; if you are unsure, message us first.
Children and teenagers
For children in growth-phase treatment, timing matters. Bring any growth records and details of appliances such as expanders or functional appliances. Dr. Lee, formerly director of pediatric and adolescent orthodontics at CDC Children’s Dental Clinic, reviews where your child is in their growth and in the treatment plan. See children’s orthodontics and teen orthodontics .
If you will move again
If you expect to leave Seoul too, tell us when. Dr. Lee can plan around it and prepare full English records and digital scans for your next orthodontist. See moving during treatment .
Transfer FAQs
What if I do not have all my previous orthodontic records?
Please come anyway. Dr. Lee can take new X-rays, scans and photographs here and assess your treatment from your current situation. Previous records help her understand the original plan and how far treatment has progressed, so request whatever your previous orthodontist can share, even if it arrives after your first visit.
Will I need new braces after moving to Seoul?
Not always. Many patients continue with their existing brackets. Some or all may need replacing if they come from a system that does not work well with the wires Dr. Lee plans to use, if several are loose, or if the plan changes. She will explain the reason before anything is replaced.
Can my Invisalign case be transferred to Yonsei Baro?
Often, yes. Invisalign cases are generally moved through Align Technology’s case-transfer process, which involves both your previous and your new orthodontist. Tell your current orthodontist before you leave, and bring your current and unused aligners. If a transfer is not possible, Dr. Lee can take a new scan and plan the remaining treatment.
How soon should I book after arriving in Korea?
As soon as you can, especially with braces, which usually need checking every 4 to 6 weeks. A long gap between visits can slow progress. If you can, send your records via WhatsApp or email before you arrive, so we can review them and book your first visit promptly.
Will my treatment take longer after a transfer?
It can, depending on how long you went without a check, whether appliances need changing, and whether the plan is adjusted. Dr. Lee gives you an updated estimated timeline after your first visit, so you know what to expect before deciding how to continue.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sally Chaekyung Lee, DDS, PhD
Board-certified orthodontist (Korea Ministry of Health and Welfare) · Adjunct Professor of Orthodontics, Yonsei University · Last updated October 2026
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Treatment results and duration vary from person to person. Orthodontic treatment can cause temporary discomfort and, in some cases, root shortening, gum recession or tooth decay if oral hygiene is poor; teeth can relapse if retainers are not worn as instructed.
Just moved to Seoul mid-treatment?
Send us your records and preferred dates. Dr. Lee will review your case and explain how to continue, in English. Isu Station Exit 2 · Open until 9 PM Mon & Thu · Saturdays 9 AM–2 PM.