Cosmetic Dentistry
歯科ハミール高田88 Director
Masashi Motegi
Hello, I’m Masashi Motegi, the director.
Cosmetic dentistry isn’t just treatment to make your smile look beautiful. I believe it is satisfying treatment only when it also takes your bite, the function of your teeth, and how long the result will last into account.
At 歯科ハミール高田88, guided by our philosophy of “hospitality,” we take the time to ask about the look you’re hoping for, and propose a treatment plan you can feel good about, cost and treatment time included. We also bring in new materials and techniques we learn from day-to-day study groups and seminars.
If you’re bothered by the color of a crown you had placed years ago, or want to feel more confident about your smile, talk to us here in Takadanobaba.
A Beautiful Smile You Can Be Confident In
Cosmetic dentistry is dental treatment focused on the beauty of your teeth and smile. If insurance-covered treatment takes you from illness back to normal, from minus to zero, cosmetic dentistry is more about making your teeth look more attractive, taking you from zero to plus.
Improving the color, shape, or alignment of your teeth can make a substantial difference to your appearance. We can help with concerns about your smile, such as a metal filling that bothers you, the color of your teeth, or wanting the shape of a front tooth adjusted.
The impression your smile makes is a major factor in a first impression. White, well-aligned teeth look clean and leave a good impression on the people you meet. You can smile with confidence at an important moment, such as a business meeting or presentation, or a wedding or party.
Our clinic provides treatment that balances beauty and function, without compromising your bite or the health of your teeth. We aim for treatment that looks beautiful and also lasts for the long term.
Something I’ve noticed treating many patients is that, very often, having cosmetic dental treatment raises a patient’s awareness of their own mouth and improves the quality of their self-care. Wanting to keep your teeth looking beautiful tends to carry over into an interest in preventive dentistry, which in turn helps protect the health of your whole mouth.
What Cosmetic Dentistry Can Do for You
Whiter, More Beautiful Teeth
Age and diet can cause staining over time: a buildup of dark or yellow pigment. It’s easy to picture how coffee, tea, and wine leave pigment behind. Whitening lightens the color of your teeth and brings back a more youthful impression.
Replacing a metal filling with white ceramic removes the metal color you see when you open your mouth, for a natural, beautiful smile. A metal filling on a back tooth that shows when you laugh is more noticeable than you’d expect. Making all your teeth white makes a big difference to the impression you give.
Learn more about ceramic crowns
Adjusting the Shape and Size of Your Teeth
Uneven or chipped front teeth can make you feel self-conscious when you laugh. Ceramic or Angel Veneer can adjust the shape and size of your teeth.
Cosmetic dentistry can also improve a gap between your teeth. With Angel Veneer, it may be possible to close a gap while being mindful of how much of the tooth is removed.
If you’d like to adjust the size or shade of your teeth, Angel Veneer can be an option.
More Beautiful Gums
For anyone bothered by dark gums, we offer gum peeling. Gum peeling uses a chemical agent to remove the dark pigmentation in the gums, restoring a healthy pink color.
A “gummy smile,” where too much gum shows when you smile, can also be improved in some cases. Gum contouring reshapes the gums to create a well-balanced smile.
Features of Our Cosmetic Dentistry
A Wide Choice of Materials
Our clinic offers several aesthetic materials, including zirconia, e.max, and zirconia bond. Each material has its own characteristics, and we recommend the one best suited to the area being treated and to what you want.
Zirconia is durable and well suited to a crown on a back tooth. e.max is translucent and suits front-tooth treatment. Zirconia bond combines the strength of zirconia with the aesthetics of ceramic. We take the time to explain the pros and cons of each and choose the best material together with you.
Color Matching With Shade Taking
In ceramic treatment, it’s important to choose a color that gives a natural match with the surrounding teeth. Our clinic uses shade taking to obtain a precise color match with your own teeth.
Because the color of a tooth looks different under different lighting, we check it under several conditions. Close coordination with the dental laboratory lets us achieve a result that blends in so well it’s hard to tell apart from the surrounding teeth.
Precise Treatment With Rubber Dam Isolation
Moisture such as saliva or blood is the enemy of bonding ceramic. Our clinic uses rubber dam isolation when needed, carrying out the procedure with the treatment area kept isolated. Protecting the area from saliva and blood strengthens the bond between the ceramic and the tooth, helping it stay stable for the long term. Using a rubber dam also strengthens the bond between the ceramic and the tooth, helping it stay stable for the long term.
A 5-Year Warranty
Our clinic backs ceramic treatment with a 5-year warranty: 100% coverage for the first 2 years, after which the coverage changes depending on how much time has passed. Keeping up your regular checkups is a condition, but we are set up to handle any trouble that might arise. We take responsibility for supporting you over the long term, even after treatment.
Types of Cosmetic Dental Treatment
Whitening
A treatment that whitens your teeth without removing any tooth structure. There’s in-office whitening and at-home whitening, and you can choose whichever suits your lifestyle. In-office whitening is done at the clinic, and you can see the effect after a single session. At-home whitening is done at home and whitens your teeth over time.
Our clinic uses Opalescence 10%, which can whiten your teeth while keeping the strain on them low.
Ceramic Treatment
A treatment that replaces a metal filling with a white tooth, or uses ceramic for a filling or crown after cavity treatment. Ceramic can reproduce a translucency and color close to a natural tooth, and carries no risk of a metal allergy. A metal filling or crown, by contrast, has a rough surface prone to plaque buildup, and because the restoration doesn’t integrate well with the tooth, a gap can open up as the bonding cement degrades over the years, letting bacteria in and leading to secondary decay. Ceramic has a smooth surface that resists plaque buildup and forms a strong bond with the tooth, providing a substantial reduction in the risk of secondary decay.
We handle both fillings (inlays) and crowns, choosing the best approach for the area and extent being treated.
Learn more about ceramic crowns
Angel Veneer
A treatment that bonds a thin piece of ceramic onto the front of the tooth to improve its color or shape. You might think of it as a kind of “nail art” for teeth. A conventional laminate veneer required removing some of the tooth’s surface, but our clinic also offers Angel Veneer.
A way to adjust the color or shape of a front tooth while being mindful of the burden on the tooth. In some cases, it can be completed in a short time (about 3 visits).
Gum Peeling
A treatment well suited to anyone whose gums have darkened from smoking or melanin pigmentation. A dedicated solution is applied to the gums to remove the darkened areas. Within a few days, the surface layer peels away, revealing healthy pink gum tissue underneath.
There’s almost no pain, and the procedure is finished in a short time. Dark gums can stand out even after your teeth are whitened, so this is recommended for anyone aiming for an all-around beautiful smile.
Treatment Process and Consultation
Medical History & Counseling
Please tell the dentist in detail about what’s bothering you now and the smile you’re hoping for. We’ll ask what result you’re looking for, such as a metal filling that bothers you, teeth that have darkened, or wanting a front tooth reshaped. Also tell us your budget and how much time you’d like treatment to take.
Examination & Diagnosis
We examine your mouth in detail, first checking for any decay or periodontal disease. We take X-rays and intraoral photos to record your current condition.
Explaining the Treatment Plan
Based on the examination results, we recommend the treatment best suited to you. When there’s more than one option, we explain the pros, cons, cost, and duration of each so you can compare them. We use a shade guide to confirm how white you’d like your teeth, so we agree on what the result will look like.
Carrying Out the Treatment
Once you’ve agreed to the plan, we begin treatment. For ceramic treatment, we shape the tooth and take an impression, then fit a temporary tooth. Once your ceramic restoration is ready, we let you check its color and shape before bonding it with care and adjusting your bite.
Completion and Final Check
After it’s fitted, we have you check how it feels and looks, and make any adjustment on the spot if something’s not quite right. We sometimes ask you to come back a few days later to confirm everything is working well.
Regular Maintenance
To keep the beautiful result for a long time, we recommend a checkup every 3 months. We check the condition of the ceramic and your bite, and keep it clean with professional cleaning. Regular maintenance helps the effect of your cosmetic treatment last for the long term.
Aftercare and Warranty
Make It Last With Regular Checkups
With the right care, ceramic can keep its beautiful appearance for a long time. At each checkup, we check the condition of the ceramic and your bite, and address any problem early.
If debris builds up at the border with the gum, it can cause the gum to swell or discolor. Regular cleaning keeps the area around the ceramic clean.
Learn more about preventive dentistry and teeth cleaning
Caring for It at Home
Ceramic itself cannot decay, but the border between the ceramic and the tooth still can. Clean it well every day with brushing and dental floss.
After whitening, avoiding food and drink with a high risk of staining helps the white result last longer. Coffee, tea, wine, and curry can cause staining. Rinse your mouth or brush your teeth soon after having them.
Warranty Coverage and Conditions
Ceramic treatment comes with a 5-year warranty: 100% coverage for the first 2 years, after which the coverage changes depending on how much time has passed. Keeping up your regular checkups is a condition for the warranty.
If your ceramic ever chips or comes loose, please contact us right away. We will repair or remake it if it is still within the warranty period.
Fees for Cosmetic Dentistry
Ceramic Treatment (Crowns)
| Material | Features | Price (Tax Included) |
|---|---|---|
| Zirconia Bond | A crown that combines the strength of zirconia with the aesthetics of ceramic. Works well from front teeth to back teeth. | ¥168,300 |
| Full Zirconia Crown | A hard material also known as artificial diamond. Ideal for back teeth, balancing strength and aesthetics. | ¥146,300 |
| e.max Crown | A ceramic with a natural appearance and excellent translucency, ideal for front teeth. | ¥113,300 |
Ceramic Treatment (Fillings / Inlays)
| Material | Features | Price (Tax Included) |
|---|---|---|
| Zirconia Inlay | A durable material suited to fillings in back teeth. Resists discoloration and lasts a long time. | ¥88,000 |
| e.max Inlay | Has a translucency close to a natural tooth and offers excellent aesthetics. | ¥77,000 |
| Hybrid Inlay | A material that mixes ceramic and plastic. A lower-cost option. | ¥66,000 |
Whitening
| Menu | Details | Price (Tax Included) |
|---|---|---|
| In-Office Whitening | Fast-acting whitening done at the clinic. You can see the effect after a single session. | ¥33,000 |
| In-Office Triple Course | A set of 3 in-office whitening sessions. You can expect an even stronger effect. | ¥82,500 |
| Perfect Whitening Set | A combined plan of in-office and at-home whitening. Aims for whiter teeth in a shorter time. | ¥104,500 |
| At-Home Whitening (Half Arch) | Whitening you do at home. | ¥22,000 |
| At-Home Whitening (Full Arch) | At-home whitening for the full upper and lower arches. Whitens teeth over time. | ¥33,000 |
Angel Veneer
| Material | Material Features | Price (Tax Included) |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid Veneer | A composite material of plastic and ceramic. Affordable and easy to try. | ¥48,400 / tooth |
| e.max Veneer | All-ceramic with excellent translucency. Achieves a natural-looking result. | ¥121,000 / tooth |
| Zirconia Veneer | Made of zirconia for high strength. Recommended if durability matters most to you. | ¥145,200 / tooth |
| Veneer Model | A model used to simulate the result before treatment | ¥7,260 |
A treatment that can improve the color or shape of your front teeth without removing any tooth structure. Achieves the smile you want in a short time.
Gum Peeling
| Procedure | Price (Tax Included) |
|---|---|
| Gum Peeling (Full Arch) | ¥12,100 |
A treatment that removes dark pigmentation from the gums, restoring a healthy pink color. Combining it with whitening can achieve an all-around beautiful smile.
Common Questions
How long does cosmetic dental treatment take?
It depends on the treatment. For whitening, we suggest 3 sessions for a thorough whitening treatment, though some people finish in as little as 1 visit. Ceramic treatment for a single tooth is often completed in 2 to 3 visits. Treatment involving several planning sessions will take more time.
Does ceramic discolor?
Because ceramic is made of the same material as porcelain, it barely discolors. A natural tooth tends to yellow over the years, but ceramic keeps the color it had at the time of treatment for a long time. That said, buildup on the ceramic’s surface can make it look discolored, so regular cleaning still matters.
Can I be treated even if I have a metal allergy?
If anything, ceramic contains no metal, so it’s a good choice for anyone with a metal allergy. Some patients who had a reaction to a conventional metal filling find their symptoms improve once it’s replaced with ceramic. Even people whose patch test shows an allergy often turn out to still have metal in their mouth, so it’s important to replace it.
Will I feel any pain after treatment?
With treatment that involves removing tooth structure, you may notice sensitivity to cold for a few days. This is temporary and settles over time in most cases. If the pain is strong, we will prescribe a pain reliever, so please tell us rather than putting up with it. Whitening and gum peeling can also cause temporary symptoms like tooth sensitivity, but these settle down within a few days.
Considering Cosmetic Dentistry in Takadanobaba?
At 歯科ハミール高田88, we provide cosmetic dental treatment that combines beauty and function. With a wide choice of materials and precise technique, we help you achieve the smile you’re hoping for. We’re a 1-minute walk from Takadanobaba Station, and open on weekends too, making it easy to visit after work or school.
Everyone’s concerns about their smile are different. Start with a consultation and tell us what you’re hoping for and what’s worrying you. We’ll recommend the treatment plan best suited to you, and help you get a beautiful smile you can feel confident about.
