Ceramic Crowns & Fillings
歯科ハミール高田88 Director
Masashi Motegi
Hello, I’m Masashi Motegi, the director.
The precision of a crown or filling affects the life of the tooth. A crown with a poor fit can let decay return through the gap it leaves, so our clinic focuses on precision in its treatment.
Besides looking good, ceramic resists buildup and makes it easier to keep the risk of decay returning low. Reducing the need for retreatment is a very important part of my approach of “keeping as many teeth as possible,” and I’ll take the time to walk you through it, starting with the choice of material.
We make sure you understand the cost before we propose anything, so if you’re considering a crown here in Takadanobaba, talk to us without worry.
From Metal Fillings to Natural, Beautiful White Teeth
Many people are bothered by a metal filling that shows when they open their mouth, or feel self-conscious about one showing when they smile. Beyond the cosmetic issue, the metal fillings used in insurance-covered treatment also carry health risks: decay returning (secondary caries) through a gap that opens up as the material degrades over the years, metal allergies, and a darkening of the gums known as a “metal tattoo.”
Ceramic treatment replaces a metal filling with a white one, achieving a natural, beautiful smile. Ceramic, made of the same inorganic material as porcelain, has a color and translucency close to a natural tooth, blending in with the surrounding teeth so well it’s hard to tell apart. It also shows almost no discoloration or degradation even after long use, and carries no risk of metal ions leaching out, which helps preserve its appearance over time.
歯科ハミール高田88’s Approach to Ceramic Treatment
Our ceramic treatment isn’t just about “making teeth white.” Our team of dentists, including Director Motegi, goes to great lengths to get a balanced bite and a precise fit (no gaps, even at the microscopic level), providing treatment that functions over the long term.
A Strong Partnership With Veteran Dental Technician Daisuke Inamoto
Crowns and other restorations at our clinic are made by Daisuke Inamoto, a dental technician and the head of I-Dental.
- Daisuke Inamoto’s Background
Graduated from Yokohama Dental Technology College in 1995. After working in an in-house dental laboratory at a medical corporation, among other positions, he opened I-Dental in 2009. Trained in OPC Technical Sequential Occlusion. - Precision, Made by Hand
He suggests to the dentist what’s best for each patient, including tooth shape, bite type, and materials, and makes each piece by hand, one at a time, with precision. His skill lets him reproduce complex shading and craft ceramic that matches the surrounding natural teeth.
The Benefits of Ceramic Treatment
Striking, Natural Beauty (Aesthetics)
Because ceramic lets light pass through it, it can reproduce the translucency and gradation unique to a natural tooth. We do precise shade matching so the result blends in with the tooth next to it.
Lower Risk of Decay Returning (Preventing Secondary Caries)
Ceramic has a smooth surface, so plaque, which causes decay, has a harder time sticking to it. What’s more, a ceramic restoration forms a chemical bond with the tooth through resin cement, so unlike a metal filling, it carries a low risk of a gap opening up as the cement degrades over the years, which makes it harder for bacteria to get in. A metal restoration, by contrast, does not form a chemical bond with the tooth, so a gap tends to open up as the cement degrades, which is a common cause of secondary caries. Our clinic makes the most of this chemical-bonding advantage with a precise bonding procedure, to reduce the risk of recurrent decay.
No Risk of Metal Allergy (Biocompatibility)
Because ceramic contains no metal at all (it’s metal-free), no metal ions can leach out through contact with saliva, so even someone with a metal allergy can receive treatment without worry.
A Reassuring 5-Year Warranty
Our clinic backs ceramic treatment with a 5-year warranty. (*The percentage covered changes in stages.) As long as you come in for your regular checkups, we will take responsibility for any problems that may come up and support you over the long term.
Types of Ceramic and Their Fees
We recommend the material best suited to your wishes and the tooth being treated. * All fees below are tax-included prices.
Crown Menu
- Zirconia Bond (5-year warranty): ¥168,300
A premium crown made by fusing ceramic with a natural appearance onto a frame of zirconia, a hard material also known as artificial diamond. It combines strength and beauty, and works well for both front and back teeth. - Full Zirconia Crown (5-year warranty): ¥146,300
A crown made of solid zirconia. Its strength is outstanding, making it ideal for back teeth that bear heavy biting force. It is a beautiful white and does not discolor. - e-max Crown (5-year warranty): ¥113,300
A ceramic with excellent translucency and the aesthetic quality closest to a natural tooth. A suitable choice for front teeth.
Filling (Inlay) Menu
- Zirconia Inlay (5-year warranty): ¥88,000
A durable material for fillings in back teeth. Its translucency is close to a natural tooth, and it also offers excellent aesthetics. - e-max Inlay (5-year warranty): ¥77,000
A filling with excellent aesthetics, its translucency, luster, and color close to a natural tooth. - Hybrid Inlay (3-year warranty): ¥66,000
A composite of ceramic and resin (plastic). A lower-cost option, but it falls short of other ceramics in resistance to discoloration and strength over time.
* If cavity treatment or root canal treatment is also needed, an additional fee will apply.
* Dental financing is also available. Ask us for details.
[Important] Something We Want You to Know:
Why Prevention Matters
Graduating From Treatment
The single most important thing is your regular checkup. Higher-priced ceramic materials have resistance to rust, staining and wear. But what matters most is the cleaning and brushing guidance you get at a checkup every 3 to 4 months.
No matter how expensive or precisely made a filling or crown is, the tooth underneath it is still your own, and you still eat with it every day. You don’t visit the dentist every day, so if your care at home isn’t enough and buildup forms, decay or gum inflammation will happen again. Having to drill and fill it again down the road is a vicious cycle. You ended up needing ceramic because you had a cavity, so what matters most to us is creating an environment where you don’t get another one.
We Recommend a Night Guard to Protect Your Teeth
The human bite can exert considerable force. A woman can generate up to 80 kg of force through involuntary clenching. That’s enough force to crack even your own natural teeth. To reduce the risk of chipping or wearing down the ceramic you’ve just had placed, we recommend wearing a low-cost, insurance-covered mouthguard (a night guard) while sleeping or playing sports. This is a preventive measure we recommend to everyone, not just those who have had ceramic treatment.
How Treatment Works
Medical History & Counseling
Tell us what’s bothering you, such as wanting a metal filling made white or the shape of a front tooth adjusted. Ask us about anything, including cost or how long treatment will take.
Examination & Diagnosis
We check the condition of your tooth roots and bite with an X-ray or CT scan. If you have decay or periodontal disease, we treat that first, to build a healthy foundation.
Deciding on Treatment and Material
We explain the features and cost of each type of ceramic, and let you choose the material best suited to you.
Shaping the Tooth and Taking an Impression
We shape the tooth, removing as little as possible, and take a precise impression. You’ll wear a temporary crown until your restoration is ready.
Fitting the Ceramic
We check the color and shape of the ceramic our dedicated technician, Mr. Inamoto, has made, and once everything checks out, we bond it with a dedicated cement. We also take the time to adjust your bite.
Moving to Regular Maintenance
After treatment, you’ll switch to regular checkups (cleanings) every 3 to 4 months to protect both the ceramic and your own teeth.
Aftercare and Warranty
Make It Last With Regular Checkups
It’s worth repeating, because it matters: with the right maintenance, ceramic can keep its beautiful appearance for a long time. At each checkup, we check the condition of the ceramic and how your bite meets it, and adjust your bite early if there’s any problem.
If debris builds up at the border between the ceramic and the tooth, it can cause gum swelling or decay. Regular cleaning keeps the area around the ceramic clean.
Like most dental clinics, we recommend a checkup about every 3 months. Keeping up with your checkups is also a condition for keeping the warranty valid.
Learn more about preventive dentistry and teeth cleaning
Caring for It at Home
Ceramic itself cannot decay, but your own tooth and the border between the tooth and the ceramic still can. Brush that border well every day.
Use an interdental brush, dental floss, and mouthwash as well, to remove debris between your teeth. Ceramic is more durable than a natural tooth, but biting a hard object can still chip it. Avoid habits like chewing ice or candy, or biting down on a pen.
Warranty Coverage and Conditions
Our clinic backs ceramic treatment with a 5-year warranty. (*Coverage is provided in stages based on the number of years.) Keeping up your regular checkups is a condition for the warranty. Problems that occur when you have not kept up your regular checkups, and damage from an accident or injury, are not covered.
If your ceramic ever chips or comes loose, please contact us right away. We will examine the restoration and advise you on treatment.
Common Questions
How long does ceramic last?
With the right maintenance, lasting 10 to 20 years or more is not unusual. Keeping up your checkups to keep your mouth clean, and wearing a night guard while you sleep to protect it from physical force, can help it last even longer.
Is This Covered by Insurance?
Because ceramic treatment uses high-quality materials and precise technique, it is usually self-pay treatment, not covered by insurance. We accept various credit cards and dental financing (such as JACCS, with up to 120 installments), so you can choose treatment you are comfortable with, within a budget that works for you.
Can ceramic chip?
Zirconia and similar materials have high hardness, but the risk of chipping from a strong impact or excessive teeth grinding is not zero. For that reason, our clinic recommends wearing an insurance-covered mouthguard (night guard) while you sleep, and we also offer a 5-year warranty.
Can I replace all my metal fillings with ceramic at once?
Yes. We can put together a flexible treatment plan matched to your budget and the timeframe you’d like, for example replacing the highest-priority teeth first and treating the remaining teeth in stages while keeping your bite in mind.
Does ceramic discolor?
Because ceramic is made of the same material as porcelain, it barely discolors. Even with staining foods and drinks like coffee, tea, or wine, the ceramic itself does not change color. That said, buildup on the surface can make it look discolored, and your own natural teeth can still discolor, so regular cleaning still matters.
Considering Ceramic Treatment in Takadanobaba?
At 歯科ハミール高田88, we offer beautiful, long-lasting ceramic treatment with a wide choice of materials and precise technique.
We’re a 1-minute walk west of the Waseda Exit of JR Takadanobaba Station, and open on weekends too, making it easy to visit after work or school.
If you’re bothered by a metal filling, want the shape or color of a front tooth adjusted, are worried about a metal allergy, or want a more beautiful smile, please come talk to us. We’ll take the time to listen to what you want and recommend the treatment plan best suited to you.
We also back our work with a 5-year warranty, so you can use it for years to come without worry. Let’s work together to protect “beautiful teeth for life.”
