AI educational illustration. A partial cutaway shows the tissues supporting natural teeth; it is not a patient scan or a diagnosis.
If your teeth have shifted over the years, planning starts with the tissues supporting them. We look at your gums, existing dental work and health history before choosing an appliance.
Can orthodontics still be an option?
Being in your 40s or 50s does not by itself rule out orthodontics. Gum health, supporting bone, existing implants and medical conditions guide the decision. Some people need gum treatment first; for others, orthodontics may not be advisable. An in-person examination is needed to decide.
Gum and bone assessment
Existing dental work reviewed
Follow-up planned from the start
Starting point
Gums, bone and roots
Treatment plan
Adapted to your dental history
Ongoing care
In-person reviews and retention
What brings you to the consultation?
Teeth have shifted
Start with an assessment of the change
Tell us which teeth have spread, tilted or become harder to clean. The examination looks beyond alignment to the gum and bone support around those teeth.
Let the team know about gum problems or treatment you have already had. This helps the orthodontist and periodontal team decide how care should be coordinated.
If work or social situations make appliance visibility a concern, bring that into the discussion. Lingual braces and clear aligners may be considered after the clinical assessment.
These topics help prepare the conversation; selecting one does not determine whether you can have treatment.
From examination to a coordinated plan
01
Review your dental and medical history
The consultation reviews gum condition, existing implants or restorations, and relevant health conditions. Bring these details into the discussion before an appliance is selected.
A natural tooth and an existing implant
AI educational illustration. A natural tooth and an existing restored implant have different supporting structures. This is not an implantation procedure or a movement simulation.Read the existing implant question
02
Assess supporting bone and roots
The orthodontist assesses the supporting bone and tooth roots through examination and any imaging needed for your case. 3D imaging may be used when clinically indicated. These findings help inform the plan; imaging alone does not establish treatment safety.
Roots and supporting bone
AI educational illustration of two natural premolars and their supporting tissues. This example is not a diagnostic scan or a measurement of a patient’s bone level.
03
Agree the order of care
Orthodontic, periodontal and general dental care are coordinated around the findings. Gum treatment may come first, and the plan may need to change if oral health changes during orthodontics.
Tooth movement involves the supporting tissues
This diagram explains the general movement of a natural tooth. It does not show your bone level or establish whether orthodontics is suitable for you.
How the supporting tissues respond
AI educational illustration. The arrow marks a conceptual direction of natural-tooth movement; the surrounding tissues are shown schematically, not to scale. Read both tissue-response explanations alongside the image.
Pressure side
On the side the tooth moves towards, bone is resorbed as the tissues remodel.
Tension side
On the opposite side, new bone forms as the tooth moves.
Choosing an appliance after assessment
The drawings show how appliances are worn. Appearance is one consideration, alongside the condition of your teeth and gums.
Front-surface braces
Metal or tooth-coloured brackets
Brackets and a wire sit on the outer surfaces of the teeth. Metal and ceramic versions differ in appearance; the illustration does not rank their suitability for an individual case.
External metal brackets
AI educational illustration. Metal brackets and an archwire are shown on the outer tooth surfaces as one example of external fixed braces.
Tooth-coloured ceramic brackets
AI educational illustration. Tooth-coloured ceramic brackets are another material used for external fixed braces. This is a material example, not a treatment result.
Lingual braces
Attached behind the teeth
The appliance is fixed to the tongue-side surfaces of the teeth. It is an option to discuss if you are concerned about visible brackets, subject to examination and treatment planning.
Brackets on the inner tooth surfaces
AI educational illustration. Brackets and an archwire sit on the inner faces of a front-tooth segment. This illustrates appliance position, not a complete prescribed setup.
Clear aligners
Removable trays
Transparent trays fit over the teeth and can be removed. Whether they suit your planned tooth movements and gum condition is a clinical decision, not something their appearance can tell you.
A removable clear aligner
AI educational illustration. One clear tray is lifted above a dental model to show removability; appearance does not establish suitability or a wear schedule.
Care continues after the teeth move
After active treatment
Plan for retention
Teeth can shift again after orthodontics. Follow the retainer instructions given for your case.
The type of retainer and its wear schedule are decided individually. The diagram shows fixed and removable designs, not a prescribed schedule.
A bonded retainer
AI educational illustration. A passive wire is bonded behind the front teeth. Retainer type and care instructions are decided individually.
A removable retainer
AI educational illustration of a removable passive retainer with a plate and wire components. Its design and wear schedule are individual.
Meet the orthodontic team
Dr. Park Je-hyuk
Orthodontics
Board-certified specialist in Orthodontics (Ministry of Health and Welfare, Korea)
Board-certified specialist in Integrated Dentistry (Ministry of Health and Welfare, Korea)
Commendation from the Minister of Health and Welfare, Korea
Member, World Federation of Orthodontists (WFO)
Clinical poster presented at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) annual session
Certified provider, SERAFIN clear aligners and Incognito lingual braces
Can an existing dental implant move with the other teeth?
A dental implant does not move like a natural tooth during orthodontics. Its position must be considered when planning movement of the surrounding teeth. Having an implant does not by itself answer whether orthodontics is possible; your overall condition needs assessment.
What should I tell the team about medicines I take?
Tell the team about your health conditions and the medicines you take, including medicines related to bone health. These details are reviewed before planning treatment. The orthodontist may need to discuss your care with the doctor who manages those conditions.
Can I start if I live abroad and can only visit Korea occasionally?
Discuss your ability to return before committing to treatment. Regular in-person reviews are needed throughout orthodontics, including checks of gum condition. If you cannot attend the necessary visits, starting may not be advisable. A pre-visit discussion can help clarify the next steps, but feasibility is confirmed only after an in-person examination.
