Partial Orthodontics
歯科ハミール高田88 Director
Masashi Motegi
Hello, I’m Masashi Motegi, the director.
For concerns like “I just want to close the gap between my front teeth” or “one crooked spot bothers me,” partial orthodontics lets us focus only on the area that concerns you. Another advantage is that it’s often quicker and less expensive than full orthodontics.
That said, there are limits to what partial orthodontics can treat. At 歯科ハミール高田88, we don’t push partial orthodontics where it doesn’t fit. Based on examination and diagnosis, we propose the method that fits your case, and we provide advance explanations of the expected length and cost of treatment.
If you live locally in Takadanobaba and are troubled by one particular part of your smile, come talk with us first.
Treatment for the Area That Bothers You
Partial orthodontics treats only the part that concerns you, such as a gap between your front teeth or mild crowding. Because it takes less time and costs less than full orthodontics, it’s popular as an orthodontic treatment that’s easy to get started with.
Full orthodontics often takes 1 to 3 years, but partial orthodontics is usually completed in a few months to about a year. It also suits people with an important event coming up, such as a wedding or job hunting.
We offer clear-aligner partial orthodontics using Invisalign. Because the aligners are transparent, the treatment is hard for others to notice, so you can receive treatment without worrying about appearance.
Who Partial Orthodontics Is Right For
If Only the Look of Your Front Teeth Bothers You
This suits people whose back-tooth bite is fine but who are bothered only by the look of their front teeth. Mild crowding or gaps in the front teeth can be treated with partial orthodontics.
If You’re Concerned About Relapse After Previous Orthodontic Treatment
This is also recommended for people who had orthodontic treatment in the past but whose teeth had a small relapse because they didn’t keep up with their retainer. If the relapse is mild, partial orthodontics can restore your original, beautiful smile.
If You Want a Shorter Treatment Period
This also suits people with an important event coming up, such as a wedding, job hunting, or a coming-of-age ceremony. Since treatment is completed in a few months to about a year, it can be finished in time for the event.
If You Want to Keep the Cost Down
Because fewer teeth need to be moved than with full orthodontics, the cost is lower too. This makes it an easy treatment to start for anyone who is interested in orthodontics but has been hesitant because of cost.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Partial Orthodontics
Advantages
Shorter Treatment Time
Because fewer teeth need to be moved, treatment takes less time. Where full orthodontics takes 1 to 3 years, partial orthodontics is completed in a few months to about a year.
Lower Cost
Because fewer appliances are used and fewer visits are needed than with full orthodontics, the cost is lower. Its price makes it easier to get started with orthodontic treatment.
You Notice the Change Sooner
Because treatment is concentrated on a prominent area such as the front teeth, you notice the change in your appearance sooner. You can gain confidence in your smile in a short time.
Less Strain Than Full Orthodontics
Because fewer teeth need to be moved, the pain and discomfort are milder than with full orthodontics.
Disadvantages
Limited to Certain Cases
Partial orthodontics can only be applied to mild-to-moderate misalignment. It cannot treat severe crowding or skeletal problems.
Limited Improvement to Your Bite
The main goal is improving appearance, and correcting your bite overall can be difficult. If you have a problem with your bite, we recommend full orthodontics.
More Prone to Relapse
Partial orthodontics tends to be more prone to relapse than full orthodontics. After treatment, it’s important to follow your retainer schedule.
Features of Our Partial Orthodontics
Clear-Aligner Partial Orthodontics with Invisalign
We offer partial orthodontics using Invisalign’s Lite and First plans. Because the aligners are transparent, the treatment is hard for others to notice, so you can receive treatment without worrying about appearance.
Because the aligners are removable, you can also eat and brush your teeth as usual. With no risk of a metal allergy and little discomfort, they’re chosen by many patients.
Precise Examination with iTero
We use the iTero intraoral scanner, which captures precise data on your teeth. Unlike a traditional impression, it causes no discomfort, and accurate data can be captured in a short time. We can also show you a before-and-after simulation image, making it easy to share what the finished result will look like.
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. Since partial orthodontics is a short treatment, being easy to get to is important.
Careful Counseling
We take the time to diagnose whether partial orthodontics will give a sufficient result, or whether full orthodontics is needed. We don’t push partial orthodontics, and instead propose the treatment method that’s best for you. We also explain the cost and length of treatment in an easy-to-understand way.
About Clear-Aligner Partial Orthodontics
Clear-aligner partial orthodontics is hard to notice, and because the aligners are removable, you can eat and brush your teeth as usual. There is no risk of a metal allergy, and discomfort is minimal.
We use Invisalign’s Lite and First plans. These suit mild-to-moderate misalignment centered on the front teeth.
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
How Treatment Works
First Visit Counseling
Please tell us in detail which part of your front teeth concerns you and what kind of smile you would like. We will also ask when you would like to finish treatment and roughly what your budget is.
Detailed Examination
We take X-rays, intraoral photos and an iTero intraoral scan. We analyze the condition of your bite and tooth alignment in detail, and assess whether partial orthodontics is suitable. We share the examination results later, when we explain your treatment plan.
Explaining the Treatment Plan
Based on the examination results, we propose a concrete treatment plan. You can check your before-and-after tooth alignment with an Invisalign simulation image. We explain the length of treatment, cost and precautions in detail, and begin treatment only once you are satisfied.
Making & Fitting the Aligners
Your aligners are custom-made for you. Once they’re ready, we hand them to you and 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
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. Because partial orthodontics takes less time, it requires fewer visits.
Retention & Maintenance
Once your teeth are aligned, you will use a retainer to prevent them from shifting back. Because partial orthodontics is more prone to relapse than full orthodontics, the retention period is an essential part of treatment. Following your retainer schedule and keeping up with regular maintenance will keep your smile looking beautiful.
Pricing
Partial Orthodontics
| Plan | Suitable For | Price (Tax Included) |
|---|---|---|
| Invisalign Lite | Mild misalignment centered on the front teeth | ¥495,000 |
Whether partial orthodontics can treat your case, or whether full orthodontics is needed, is determined through a detailed examination. We’ll explain this in detail during counseling, so come talk with us first.
Learn more about clear-aligner orthodontics
Learn more about our pricing
Common Questions
Which Should I Choose, Partial or Full Orthodontics?
If you are only bothered by the look of your front teeth and your back-tooth bite is fine, partial orthodontics is a good fit. If you have a problem with your bite, or severe misalignment, we recommend full orthodontics. A detailed examination will determine which is right for you.
How Long Does Partial Orthodontics Take?
This varies by case, but treatment is generally completed in a few months to about a year. For mild misalignment, it can sometimes be finished in 3 to 6 months. We’ll give you an approximate treatment time at your first counseling session.
Can Teeth Relapse Even After Partial Orthodontics?
Yes, there is a risk of relapse even after partial orthodontics. It tends to be more prone to relapse than full orthodontics. After treatment, following your retainer schedule is essential. If you neglect to wear it, the alignment you worked to achieve will shift back.
Can You Move Teeth a Little Further Back, Not Just the Front Teeth?
Invisalign’s Lite plan focuses treatment on the front teeth, but depending on the case, it can also move the premolars (the 4th and 5th teeth from the front). However, if the back teeth need substantial movement, full orthodontics becomes necessary.
Are There Any Food Restrictions During Partial Orthodontics?
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.
Is Extraction Needed for Partial Orthodontics?
In principle, partial orthodontics does not involve extraction. If your teeth are crowded enough to require extraction, we recommend full orthodontics. That said, in very mild cases, we may remove a small amount from the side of a tooth to create space.
Considering Partial Orthodontics in Takadanobaba?
At 歯科ハミール高田88, we offer clear-aligner partial orthodontics using Invisalign. If you’re bothered by a gap or crowding in your front teeth, concerned about relapse after previous orthodontic treatment, or want to improve your smile in a shorter period, start with a counseling session.
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. With precise examination using iTero and our track record with Invisalign, we achieve a beautiful smile in a short time. We’ll take the time to assess whether partial orthodontics is right for you.
