Answers at a Glance
What Is Minor Orthodontic Surgery, and and who is it right for?
Minor orthodontic surgery refers to small procedures handled by oral surgery so that orthodontic treatment goes smoothly. These include placing mini-screws or plates that serve as anchors for moving teeth, surgical exposure to uncover teeth buried in the gum, arch expansion (SARPE) to widen a narrow upper jaw, and orthodontic extractions. The Barunface does not have an orthodontic department and works in collaboration with the orthodontic clinic the patient attends, so we perform procedures at the exact position specified in the orthodontist's referral and share the results.
- Doctor in Charge
- Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, Board-Certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon
- Diagnosis
- Large FOV CBCT (3D CT) · Panoramic X-ray
- Anesthesia
- Local anesthesia · Conscious sedation · General anesthesia facilities
Board-Certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee Medically reviewed ·
Request a Consultation Consultation Prep Card10 Frequently Asked Questions
- Duration
- 15–60 minutes
- Anesthesia
- Local anesthesia · General anesthesia for arch expansion
- Suture Removal
- About 1 week
- Return to Daily Life
- Same day–2 days
- Referral
- Bring your orthodontist's referral
- Insurance
- Partially covered by insurance · Anchorage not covered
This content was reviewed by board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, Directorfor medical accuracy · Last reviewed
Recommended for You If
- For those whose orthodontist has recommended mini-screw or plate placement
- Those with canines or other teeth buried in the gum that have not erupted
- For those with a narrow upper jaw who need adult arch expansion
- For those who need extractions for orthodontic treatment
Minor Orthodontic Surgery, explained by Dr. Lee in videos
On the YouTube channel ‘안될 턱이 있나’, Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee answers questions he often hears in the consulting room. We have gathered only the videos related to minor orthodontic surgery. Click to play them right here.
YouTube channel 안될 턱이 있나 These videos are published with patient consent. Results and recovery vary from person to person.
What is anchorage (mini-screw) placement?
A procedure in which a small titanium screw is placed in the jawbone to serve as an anchor when teeth are pulled in the desired direction. It takes 10–15 minutes under local anesthesia, and the screw is removed after orthodontic treatment. Where the bone is thin or close to a nerve, we check with CT before placement.
What is surgical exposure?
This is a surgery to bring an impacted tooth (usually a canine) buried in the gum into position with orthodontic treatment. The gum and bone are opened to expose the tooth, and an orthodontic attachment is bonded to it. The approach is planned with CT based on the tooth's position.
Who is a candidate for arch expansion surgery (SARPE)?
This is for adults whose growth has finished, so non-surgical expansion is difficult, and whose narrow upper jaw prevents the teeth from fitting together. The surgery cuts the upper jaw bone so that an expansion device can work, and general anesthesia is required.
When Dr. Lee Recommends Treatment
Whether to recommend minor orthodontic surgery is decided by diagnosis, not by photos or trends. Below are the criteria the director actually uses in consultations, in the director's own words.
Rather than operating on more patients, I wanted to listen fully to each person's story, think it through myself, and stay with them responsibly from surgery through recovery.
I try to be straightforward and plain: I explain why something can be done and why something cannot.
Tests and Preparation Before Your Consultation
The scope of treatment is decided by examination results. At your first visit, we review the items below, then explain which treatments are needed and which are not.
| Test | What We Look At |
|---|---|
| Panoramic X-ray · 3D CT | We check the tooth roots, jawbone, nerve canal, and surrounding structures. |
| Oral Examination | We directly examine your gum condition, tooth wear, and bite. |
| Medical History Review | We ask about any medications you take (blood thinners, osteoporosis medication, etc.) and any systemic conditions. |
What to Bring
- X-rays and CT scans from your previous dentist (if available)
- Names of medications you are taking — especially blood thinners, osteoporosis medication, and diabetes medication
- Systemic conditions · pregnancy status
- A note of the areas that bother you and when it started
Minor Orthodontic Surgery Consultation Prep Card (Printable)
How Your Care Proceeds
- 01
Referral
Review of the orthodontist's opinion and plan
- 02
Test
Checking position with panoramic X-ray·CT
- 03
Procedure
Placement, exposure, and extraction under local anesthesia
- 04
Sharing progress
Results sent to orthodontist, suture removal
Minor Orthodontic Surgery: Schedule and Recovery at a Glance
Basic information on treatment time, anesthesia, and recovery is summarized in the table. The actual schedule may vary depending on your diagnosis and individual condition, and will be explained again at your first visit.
| Item | Notice |
|---|---|
| Duration | 15–60 minutes |
| Anesthesia | Local anesthesia · General anesthesia for arch expansion |
| Suture Removal | About 1 week |
| Return to Daily Life | Same day–2 days |
| Referral | Bring your orthodontist's referral |
| Insurance | Partially covered by insurance · Anchorage not covered |
After the procedure, pain, swelling, bleeding, or infection may occur, and mini-screws may loosen or fall out. Arch expansion surgery carries risks of general anesthesia, bleeding, and asymmetric expansion. All surgeries and procedures may involve side effects such as bleeding, swelling, bruising, altered sensation, infection, asymmetry, and the possibility of revision surgery, and results and recovery speed vary by individual. Please be sure to tell us about any systemic conditions, medications you are taking, and pregnancy status during your consultation.
The Director who consults with you oversees minor orthodontic surgery from start to finish
At The Barunface, consultation, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up are all handled by one person: Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, a board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon. We do not hand off stages to staff or other doctors.
Because the doctor who performs your treatment remembers the concerns you shared and the diagnosis from your first consultation, you can return directly to the doctor who first diagnosed you if any discomfort arises after treatment.
We tell you in advance, as fully as we can, what the process will involve, and we try to be with you as much as possible at the points where you are likely to find it most difficult.
Treatment Standards and Basis
- Doctor in Charge
- Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, Board-Certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon
- Diagnosis
- Large FOV CBCT (3D CT) · Panoramic X-ray
- Anesthesia
- Local anesthesia · Conscious sedation · General anesthesia facilities
Minor orthodontic surgery FAQ 10 questions
01How much does minor orthodontic surgery cost in Busan?
Based on The Barunface's non-covered fee schedule, surgical exposure is KRW 300,000, SAS placement is KRW 300,000, and an upper fixed appliance is KRW 100,000. Some items, such as orthodontic extractions, are covered by insurance, while anchorage placement, surgical exposure, and arch expansion surgery are non-covered. Based on the fee schedule, surgical exposure is KRW 300,000, SAS placement is KRW 300,000, plate placement is KRW 300,000, arch expansion surgery is KRW 500,000, and orthodontic extraction is KRW 200,000. The exact total will be provided in writing after diagnosis.
02How long is recovery after minor orthodontic surgery?
Return to daily life is usually within the same day to 2 days. Recovery speed varies from person to person.
03What side effects can orthodontic minor surgery have?
After the procedure, pain, swelling, bleeding, or infection may occur, and mini-screws may loosen or fall out. Arch expansion surgery carries risks of general anesthesia, bleeding, and asymmetric expansion. All surgeries and procedures may involve side effects such as bleeding, swelling, bruising, altered sensation, infection, asymmetry, and the possibility of revision surgery, and results and recovery speed vary by individual. Please be sure to tell us about any systemic conditions, medications you are taking, and pregnancy status during your consultation.
04What are the anesthesia and duration for minor orthodontic surgery?
Procedure time is 15–60 minutes, with local anesthesia · arch expansion is performed under general anesthesia. At The Barunface, Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, a board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon, treats patients personally.
05Do mini-screws hurt?
It takes 10–15 minutes under local anesthesia, with little pain. You may feel some discomfort for 1–2 days.
06Can you introduce me to an orthodontist?
If you don't have an orthodontist, we will guide you after your consultation. Collaboration with the orthodontist for orthognathic surgery patients works the same way.
07What about the cost?
Amounts for each item are published in the fee schedule.
08Does a buried canine have to be brought out?
If the tooth can be moved into place with orthodontics, it is better to bring it out; if its position is poor, we consider extraction followed by an implant. We decide together with the orthodontist.
09What about hospital admission for arch expansion?
Performed under general anesthesia, with a same-day or 1-day hospital stay.
10What about care after placement?
Clean around the screw gently and avoid touching it with your tongue. Please let us know right away if it becomes loose.
Costs and what to know before your visit
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Surgical exposure | 3010,000 KRW |
| SAS Placement | 3010,000 KRW |
| Upper fixation device | 1010,000 KRW |
| Arch expansion surgery | 5010,000 KRW |
| Plate Placement (Skeletal Anchorage) | 3010,000 KRW |
| Orthodontic Extraction | 2010,000 KRW |
| Omni Bag (retainer) | 1010,000 KRW |
| Tooth Germ Extraction | 2010,000 KRW |
| Hemostatic Agent | 410,000 KRW |
Based on the non-covered fee schedule published by the director. The total cost varies depending on the extent of surgery, anesthesia, hospital stay, and tests. The exact cost will be provided after diagnosis.
Costs · Insurance
Some procedures, such as orthodontic extractions, are covered by insurance, while anchorage placement, surgical exposure, and arch expansion are not. Based on the fee schedule: surgical exposure KRW 300,000, SAS placement KRW 300,000, plate placement KRW 300,000, arch expansion KRW 500,000, and orthodontic extraction KRW 200,000. View non-covered fee schedule
Side effects · Precautions
After the procedure, pain, swelling, bleeding, or infection may occur, and mini-screws may loosen or fall out. Arch expansion surgery carries risks of general anesthesia, bleeding, and asymmetric expansion. All surgeries and procedures may involve side effects such as bleeding, swelling, bruising, altered sensation, infection, asymmetry, and the possibility of revision surgery, and results and recovery speed vary by individual. Please be sure to tell us about any systemic conditions, medications you are taking, and pregnancy status during your consultation.
This information complies with the Medical Service Act and medical advertising review standards, and treatment results and recovery may vary from person to person. Please make your decision only after consulting with a specialist.
Related treatments
This content was reviewed by board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, Directorfor medical accuracy · Last reviewed