Pediatric Orthodontics
What You Can Do Now for Your Child’s Future
Concerned about your child’s teeth or bite, but putting it off with thoughts like “they’re still young” or “once their adult teeth are all in”? Starting orthodontic treatment during the growth years increases the chance of avoiding extraction later on, or shortening the length of treatment.
Pediatric orthodontics is a treatment method that straightens teeth by using jaw growth. Starting before all the adult teeth have come in secures enough space for them to line up, making a beautiful smile easier to achieve later.
Poor tooth alignment causes problems beyond appearance. It can raise the risk of cavities and periodontal disease, cause difficulty with pronunciation and chewing. For your child’s healthy development, it’s important to start orthodontic treatment at the right time.
We offer Invisalign First, a clear-aligner system designed for children. Because the aligners are transparent, they are hard for friends at school to notice. This lets us straighten your child’s teeth while reducing the burden on them.
Benefits of Pediatric Orthodontics
Guides Jaw Growth in the Right Direction
During the growth years, a child’s jawbone is soft and still developing. Carrying out orthodontic treatment at this stage can guide the jaw’s growth in the right direction. Skeletal issues such as an undersized upper jaw or a protruding lower jaw may also be improved by using this growth.
Reduces the Chance of Needing Extraction
If orthodontic treatment starts only after all the adult teeth have come in, there may not be enough space for them to line up, making extraction necessary. Widening the jaw early with pediatric orthodontics increases the chance of straightening the teeth later without extraction.
Shortens the Overall Treatment Time
Carrying out Phase 1 treatment during childhood can sometimes remove the need for Phase 2 treatment after all the adult teeth have come in, or shorten the overall treatment time. Looking at the whole picture, this often keeps both the treatment time and the cost down.
Can Lower the Risk of Cavities & Periodontal Disease
Once the teeth are aligned, brushing becomes easier, reducing the risk of cavities and periodontal disease. Achieving properly aligned teeth from childhood makes it easier to keep healthy teeth for a lifetime.
The Right Time to Start Pediatric Orthodontics
The right time to start pediatric orthodontics is around ages 6 to 12, when baby teeth and adult teeth are both present. This stage is called the “mixed dentition period,” and it’s the ideal time to straighten teeth while making use of jaw growth.
A stage where the front teeth have already changed to adult teeth but the back teeth are still baby teeth is an ideal time to start pediatric orthodontics.
If you aren’t sure when to start, come talk to us first. We’ll check the condition of your child’s teeth and bite and let you know the right time to begin treatment.
If it’s still too early, we will monitor your child’s progress and contact you once the right time arrives. Even if it seems too late, we will propose the best treatment we can.
Consult Us Early If You Notice These Signs
- Underbite (the lower teeth sit in front of the upper teeth)
- Overbite (prominent protrusion of the upper front teeth)
- Teeth coming in overlapping each other
- There are gaps between the teeth
- The bite is deep or shallow
- Your child has a habit of thumb-sucking or tongue-thrusting
Features of Our Pediatric Orthodontics
We Offer Invisalign First
We offer Invisalign First, a clear-aligner system designed for children. Because the aligners are transparent, they are hard for friends at school to notice. Because they’re removable, your child can eat and brush their teeth as usual.
Compared with traditional wire braces, the burden on your child is lower, and pain is reduced. With less discomfort, children can stick with treatment without fuss.
Precise Examination with iTero
We use the iTero intraoral scanner, which captures precise data on your child’s teeth in a short time without the discomfort of a traditional impression. This reduces the discomfort of impressions, which children tend to dislike.
Attentive Care
We aim to give gentle, attentive care so children don’t come to fear the dentist. We also explain treatment in words a child can understand.
Parents are welcome to come into the treatment room together with their child. We’ve created an environment where children don’t feel anxious during treatment.
Learn more about pediatric dentistry
An Easy Clinic to Visit
We’re a 1-minute walk from Takadanobaba Station and open on weekends too. This makes it easy to visit on the way home from school or on a day off, reducing the burden on parents too.
About Phase 1 and Phase 2 Treatment
Pediatric orthodontics is divided into two stages, Phase 1 treatment and Phase 2 treatment.
Phase 1 Treatment (Around Ages 6–12)
This is carried out during the period when baby teeth and adult teeth are both present. It uses jaw growth to secure space for the teeth to line up and to adjust the position of the jaw.
Phase 2 Treatment (From Age 12 Onward)
This is carried out after all the adult teeth have come in. Having built the foundation in Phase 1 treatment can make Phase 2 treatment unnecessary, or shorten its length.
How Treatment Works
First Visit Counseling
Please tell us in detail about any concerns you have with your child’s teeth or bite. We’ll take the time to answer any questions or worries you have about pediatric orthodontics. We also explain the treatment to your child in a way they can understand.
Detailed Examination
We take X-rays, intraoral photos and an iTero intraoral scan. The iTero scan causes none of the discomfort of a traditional impression and takes a short time. We keep the burden on your child to a minimum during the examination.
Explaining the Treatment Plan
Based on the examination results, we propose a concrete treatment plan. We explain in detail whether Invisalign First is suitable, the best time to start, and the length and cost of treatment. We also show you a simulation image created from the iTero data.
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 the teeth little by little. We check for any issues and keep parents informed of the treatment’s progress.
Retention Period
Once the teeth are aligned, a retainer is used to prevent them from shifting back. To maintain the alignment achieved, your child will need to follow the retainer schedule. Regular maintenance keeps a beautiful smile for the long term.
Pricing
Basic Fees
| Item | Fees |
|---|---|
| Consultation | Free |
| Detailed Examination | ¥33,000 (tax included) |
| Adjustment Fee (per visit) | ¥3,300 (tax included) |
| Retainer | ¥55,000 (tax included) |
Invisalign First Fees
| Plan | Age Range | Price (Tax Included) |
|---|---|---|
| First One | Around ages 6–12 (when baby and adult teeth are both present) | ¥495,000 |
| First Two | Around ages 6–12 (second-stage treatment) | ¥440,000 |
| First Set | First One + First Two combined | ¥880,000 |
Invisalign First One
As Phase 1 treatment, this straightens teeth by using jaw growth. Many children get a sufficient result with this plan.
Invisalign First Two
This is carried out after First One if further adjustment is needed. It suits fine-tuning once the adult teeth have come in.
Invisalign First Set
This plan combines First One and First Two. Signing up for the set from the start saves ¥55,000 compared with applying for each separately.
Common Questions
What Age Can Treatment Start?
Invisalign First can start from around age 6. We’ll suggest the right time to begin based on your child’s stage of growth.
Will It Hurt?
For a few days right after changing to a new set of aligners, your child may feel a tight, pressing sensation, but there is less pain than with wire braces. Many children get used to it within a few days.
I’m Worried My Child Won’t Wear It Long Enough Each Day
The aligners need to be worn at least 20 hours a day, but can be removed for eating and brushing teeth. If your child gets into a routine of wearing them the whole time at school and whenever they aren’t eating or brushing, they can keep it up without difficulty.
Can My Child Still Play Sports or a Musical Instrument?
Clear-aligner orthodontics has little effect on sports or playing a musical instrument. The aligners can be removed for intense contact sports. Many children can play a wind instrument while wearing the aligners once they get used to it.
Is It Too Late Once All the Adult Teeth Have Come In?
Orthodontic treatment is still possible after all the adult teeth have come in. However, starting treatment during the growth years has advantages, such as being able to use jaw growth and reducing the chance of needing extraction. We recommend consulting us early.
Considering Pediatric Orthodontics in Takadanobaba?
At 歯科ハミール高田88, we use Invisalign First for pediatric orthodontics, achieving a beautiful smile while reducing the burden on your child. With precise examination using iTero and a treatment plan suited to the growth years, we provide orthodontic treatment with your child’s future in mind.
Our clinic is a 1-minute walk from Takadanobaba Station and open on weekends too, so it’s easy to visit on the way home from school or on a day off. If you’re concerned about your child’s teeth or bite, consult us first. Starting treatment at the right time supports your child’s healthy development.
