Orthodontics
歯科ハミール高田88 Director
Masashi Motegi
Hello, I’m Masashi Motegi, the director.
Misaligned teeth aren’t just a cosmetic issue. They make brushing harder, raising the risk of cavities and periodontal disease, and can lead to problems with your bite, affecting the health of your whole mouth. I see orthodontic treatment as an investment in keeping your own teeth going forward.
At 歯科ハミール高田88, we provide advance explanations of the points patients worry about most with orthodontics, such as treatment time and cost, and then propose a treatment plan suited to you. We also bring what we learn at our ongoing study groups and seminars into our treatment.
If you’re considering orthodontic treatment as an adult, come talk to us here in Takadanobaba, your local clinic.
What a Beautiful Smile Can Change
Tooth alignment affects more than your appearance. It also has a big effect on the health of your whole mouth. Many people feel uncomfortable smiling in front of others because their teeth overlap, or because they’re self-conscious about an overbite or underbite. Straightening your teeth with orthodontic treatment lets you smile with confidence.
The impression your mouth makes is an important factor in first impressions. White, well-aligned teeth look clean and leave a good impression on others. For anyone who meets people often, such as during job hunting or in sales, a beautiful smile is a real advantage.
Straightening your teeth also improves your facial balance and the line of your profile. As your bite improves, your jaw settles into the correct position, giving your face a cleaner line. Orthodontic treatment has major benefits for function as well as appearance.
Problems Caused by Misaligned Teeth
Higher Risk of Cavities & Periodontal Disease
When teeth overlap, a toothbrush has a harder time reaching them, leaving more plaque behind. Dental floss is also harder to use, so debris tends to collect between teeth. If this continues, the risk of cavities and periodontal disease rises.
Bite Problems
Misaligned teeth prevent a correct bite, putting strain on specific teeth. When the distribution of biting force is uneven, some teeth can wear down faster or crack. It can also strain the jaw joint and sometimes lead to TMJ disorder.
Learn more about teeth grinding and TMJ disorder
Effect on Pronunciation
Misaligned teeth can make some sounds harder to pronounce. S and T sounds in particular often come out unclear, and some people lose confidence speaking in front of others.
Strain on Your Digestive System
If you can’t chew well, you end up swallowing food in larger pieces, putting strain on your stomach and intestines. Chewing is the first stage of digestion, so a poor bite can affect your health throughout your body.
Benefits of Orthodontic Treatment
Confidence in Your Smile
Once your teeth are aligned, you can smile without covering your mouth. You can have a natural smile in photos, with a brighter expression. Resolving self-consciousness about your mouth also has a positive effect on your relationships with others.
Easier to Protect Your Oral Health
Once your teeth are aligned, brushing becomes easier, making it easier to prevent cavities and periodontal disease. Dental floss also can pass between the teeth with less resistance, helping you clean those spaces. This also lowers your risk of losing teeth later in life.
Supports Your Overall Health
A correct bite lets you chew food properly. Improved chewing function also improves nutrient absorption and reduces strain on your stomach and intestines. Reduced strain on the jaw joint can also improve headaches and shoulder stiffness.
Better Facial Balance
As your bite improves, your jaw settles into the correct position, improving your overall facial balance. The line of your profile becomes more attractive, and your mouth looks firmer. For people with an overbite or underbite, orthodontic treatment can bring a substantial change in appearance.
Features of Our Orthodontics
We Offer Clear-Aligner Orthodontics
We offer clear-aligner orthodontics using Invisalign. Because the aligners are transparent, they are hard for others to notice, so you can receive treatment without worrying about appearance. Because they’re removable, you can eat and brush your teeth as usual.
We offer every Invisalign plan, letting us treat a wide range of cases from mild to severe. We also use the iTero intraoral scanner, which captures precise data on your teeth.
We Also Offer Partial Orthodontics
We offer clear-aligner orthodontics that treats only the part that concerns you, such as the front teeth alone. It takes less time and costs less than full orthodontics. It suits mild misalignment, or anyone concerned about relapse after previous orthodontic treatment.
Learn more about partial orthodontics
Supporting Healthy Growth With Orthodontic Treatment for Children
We also offer orthodontic treatment for children. Carrying out orthodontic treatment during the growth years guides jaw growth in the right direction and increases the chance of being able to treat your child without extraction later on. We also offer Invisalign First, which is easier on your child.
Learn more about pediatric orthodontics
An Easy Clinic to Visit
Our clinic is a 1-minute walk from Takadanobaba Station, so it’s easy to visit on your way home from work or school. We’re also open on weekends, so people who are busy on weekdays can come in without difficulty. A Chinese-speaking interpreter is on staff, so we can also assist you in Chinese.
Types of Orthodontic Treatment & How to Choose
Clear-Aligner Orthodontics (Invisalign)
This is an orthodontic method using transparent aligners. Because they’re discreet and removable, you can eat and brush your teeth as usual. With no risk of a metal allergy and little discomfort, it’s chosen by many patients.
It can treat a wide range of cases, from mild to severe. However, if a skeletal problem is significant, or in cases of severe crowding (where teeth overlap), we may recommend a different treatment method.
Recommended For
- Those Who Don’t Want People Around Them to Know They’re Undergoing Orthodontic Treatment
- Those Who Meet People Often, Such as in Sales or Customer-Facing Roles
- Those Who Want to Eat and Brush Their Teeth as Usual
- People With a Metal Allergy
Learn more about clear-aligner orthodontics
Partial Orthodontics
This is clear-aligner orthodontics that treats only the part that concerns you, such as the front teeth alone. It takes less time and costs less than full orthodontics. It suits mild misalignment, or anyone bothered by a gap in their front teeth.
However, if your whole bite needs to be corrected, we recommend full orthodontics. We’ll assess during counseling whether partial orthodontics is right for you.
Recommended For
- If Only Your Front Teeth Bother You
- If You Want a Shorter Treatment Period
- If You Want to Keep the Cost Down
- If You’re Concerned About Relapse After Previous Orthodontic Treatment
Learn more about partial orthodontics
Pediatric Orthodontics
This is orthodontic treatment for children during their growth years. Because treatment makes use of jaw growth, it increases the chance of avoiding extraction later on. Starting before all the adult teeth have come in secures space for them to line up.
We offer Invisalign First, which is easier on your child.
Recommended for children with:
- Mixed baby and adult teeth (around ages 6–12)
- An underbite or overbite that concerns you
- Teeth coming in overlapping each other
- A habit such as thumb-sucking
How Orthodontic Treatment Works
Counseling
First, please tell us in detail about your current concerns with your teeth and what kind of smile you would like. We’ll also take the time to answer any worries or questions you have about orthodontic treatment. We explain the cost and length of treatment at this stage too.
Detailed Examination
We take X-rays, intraoral photos and an iTero intraoral scan. We analyze the condition of your tooth alignment and bite in detail, gathering the information needed to build the best treatment plan. If you have a cavity or periodontal disease, we treat that first.
Explaining the Treatment Plan
Based on the examination results, we show you a before-and-after simulation image and propose a concrete treatment plan. We explain the length of treatment, cost and precautions in detail, and begin treatment only once you are satisfied.
Fitting Your Orthodontic Appliance
We hand you your custom-made aligners. We walk you through how to put them in, take them out, and care for them. They need to be worn at least 20 hours a day, but can be removed for eating and brushing your teeth.
Regular Visits & Adjustment
You will visit roughly every 1 to 2 months so we can check how treatment is progressing. The aligners are changed at set intervals, moving your teeth little by little. We check for any issues and adjust the treatment plan as needed.
Retention Period & Maintenance
Once your teeth are aligned, you will use a retainer to prevent them from shifting back. Teeth that have been moved by orthodontic treatment have a tendency to return to their original position, so the retention period is an essential part of treatment. Regular maintenance keeps your beautiful smile for the long term.
Pricing
Basic Fees
| Item | Price (Tax Included) |
|---|---|
| Consultation | Free |
| Detailed Examination | ¥33,000 |
| Adjustment Fee (per visit) | ¥3,300 |
| Retainer | ¥55,000 |
Adult Orthodontics (Invisalign)
2-Month Course
| Suitable For | Approximate Treatment Time | Price (Tax Included) |
|---|---|---|
| Very mild misalignment | About 2 months | ¥275,000 |
6-Month Course
| Suitable For | Approximate Treatment Time | Price (Tax Included) |
|---|---|---|
| Mild misalignment, partial orthodontics | About 6 months | ¥495,000 |
9-Month Course
| Suitable For | Approximate Treatment Time | Price (Tax Included) |
|---|---|---|
| Mild to moderate misalignment | About 9 months | ¥275,000 |
Lite
| Suitable For | Approximate Treatment Time | Price (Tax Included) |
|---|---|---|
| Mild misalignment, partial orthodontics | A few months to 1 year | ¥495,000 |
Moderate
| Suitable For | Approximate Treatment Time | Price (Tax Included) |
|---|---|---|
| Mild to moderate misalignment | About 9 months | ¥660,000 |
Standard
| Suitable For | Approximate Treatment Time | Price (Tax Included) |
|---|---|---|
| Moderate misalignment, full orthodontics | 1–2 years | ¥880,000 |
Premium
| Suitable For | Approximate Treatment Time | Price (Tax Included) |
|---|---|---|
| Severe misalignment, complex cases | 2–3 years | ¥1,012,000 |
Invisalign Lite
Suited to mild misalignment centered on the front teeth, or to partial orthodontics. Treatment can take a few months to about a year.
Learn more about partial orthodontics
Invisalign Standard
Our most popular plan, treating moderate misalignment. It improves your overall tooth alignment and bite. Treatment takes about 1 to 2 years.
Invisalign Premium
A plan that can handle severe misalignment and complex bite problems as well. Treatment can take about 2 to 3 years, to address tooth alignment and bite problems.
Pediatric Orthodontics (Invisalign First)
| Plan | Age Range | Price (Tax Included) |
|---|---|---|
| First One | Around ages 6–12 | ¥495,000 |
| First Two | Around ages 6–12 (second stage) | ¥440,000 |
| First Set (One + Two) | Around ages 6–12 | ¥880,000 |
Invisalign First
Invisalign First is a clear-aligner system designed specifically for children. It straightens teeth by making use of jaw growth during the growth years. Because the aligners are transparent, children can go about their day at school without worrying about others noticing.
Maintenance After Orthodontic Treatment
Using a Retainer
After orthodontic treatment ends, you use a retainer to keep your teeth stable in their new position. For the first few months, you wear it all day, and later move to wearing it only at night. If you neglect the retention period, the alignment you worked to achieve can shift back.
Regular Checkups
Even during the retention period, you will have regular visits so we can check the condition of your teeth. If there are any signs of relapse, we can address them early. We also check for cavities and periodontal disease, carrying out maintenance to keep your beautiful smile for the long term after orthodontics.
Learn more about preventive dentistry and teeth cleaning
Proper Brushing
During orthodontic treatment, debris tends to collect around the appliance. Careful brushing and the use of dental floss help prevent cavities and periodontal disease. We also teach you the correct way to brush while undergoing orthodontic treatment.
Common Questions
How Long Does Orthodontic Treatment Take?
Treatment time varies by case, but it’s generally about 1 to 3 years. For mild misalignment, it can sometimes finish in about half a year to a year. For partial orthodontics, it’s often completed in a few months to about a year. We’ll give you an approximate treatment time at your first counseling session.
Does Orthodontic Treatment Hurt?
As your teeth move, you may feel a tight, pressing sensation or mild pain. This can feel stronger for 2 to 3 days right after switching to a new aligner in particular. However, it is not unbearable pain, and most people get used to it within a few days.
Can Adults Have Orthodontic Treatment Too?
Yes, orthodontic treatment is possible for adults too. In recent years, as clear-aligner orthodontics has become more widespread, more people are starting treatment as adults. As long as your teeth and gums are healthy, you can receive orthodontic treatment regardless of age.
Is Extraction Necessary?
Space can be created with methods such as IPR, which makes a small reduction between teeth. Extraction is not necessary in every case. Even if there is not enough space for the teeth to line up, a method called IPR (Interproximal Reduction), also known as disking, can create space through a small reduction of the surfaces between teeth. Because IPR stays within the enamel, it causes almost no damage to the tooth. We consider ways to avoid extraction wherever possible, and propose the best treatment plan based on the results of a detailed examination.
Are There Food Restrictions During Orthodontic Treatment?
With clear-aligner orthodontics, you remove the aligners to eat, so there are no particular food restrictions. You can enjoy meals as usual. However, while wearing the aligners, we recommend avoiding any drink other than water. Dark-colored drinks can stain the aligners.
Is This Covered by Insurance?
Orthodontic treatment is generally self-pay and is not covered by insurance. However, insurance may apply in certain cases, such as jaw deformity, if specific conditions are met. We also offer dental loans, so talk to us if you have any concerns about cost.
Considering Orthodontics in Takadanobaba?
At 歯科ハミール高田88, our orthodontics centers on clear aligners, and we propose the treatment best suited to each patient. With precise examination using iTero and our extensive track record with Invisalign, we help you achieve an even tooth alignment.
Our clinic is a 1-minute walk from Takadanobaba Station and open on weekends too, so it’s easy to visit on your way home from work or school. If you’re concerned about your tooth alignment or considering orthodontic treatment, start with a counseling session. Let’s work together toward the smile you want.
