Adult orthodontics

Adult orthodontics

First we need to recognize the condition of occlusion, including facial skeleton , teeth alignment, and occlusal muscles

For adult orthodontics (permanent dentition), the most important thing is to grasp the condition of the whole skeletal pattern, temporomandibular joint, and occlusal muscles. Every one has a most suitable functional occlusion, so we need to find it and treat according to this occlusion.It is simple to simply align the front teeth to be esthetical, but that is not a fundamental improvement since the functions of chewing and biting do not be improved. Doctors here are all trained clinically and academically studied at the Department of Orthodontic science, Tokyo Medical and Dental University. We are well-trained and well-prepared at the university to construct a best occlusion and function for patients.

To construct the most suitable function for chewing and biting

We examined the skeletons, muscles, tongues, lips, teeth, periodontal tissue, temporomandibular joints, and all other relative tissues for all patients. Then we analyze all these data precisely, and make a diagnosis based on academic evidence. After diagnosis, well-trained clinicians perform the orthodontic treatment.

Above all, our goal is to "building tooth alignment with function and esthetic", so we prepare the most advanced devices and invite experienced doctors and stuffs expecting to provide low-cost, short-time, and most suitable orthodontic treatment.

Freatures and Types of Adult Orthodontics

We have several orthodontic treatment methods and appliances as follows. We will explain advantages and disadvantages based on your complaint, expecting budget and treatment span, severity of malocclusion. Then choose the most suitable method together.

Labial orthodontics

Most common orthodontic treatment style. The advantage is treatment span is shorter and charge is lower. However, since the braces and metal wires are positioned at the outer surface of teeth, appliances are much more visible and not esthetical. If you need low visible appliance, we can also choose white wire and appliance.

Lingual orthodontics

The braces are in the inner side of the teeth. Whole appliances cannot be visible. But in contrast, adjustment for doctors is much more difficult, so it takes longer time than labial orthodontics.

"Invisible Orthodontics", please click here.

Invisalign

These are clear, removable mouth pieces. Therefore, appliances are not easy to be visible. However, since they are removable, patients need strong intension to wear them every day, otherwise the treatment progress must become slow, or even stopped. We introduced the most advanced 3D intra-oral optical scanner, " iTERO" , which is the latest device available for precise impression. Most of all, this device connect to Invisalign technology directly in cloud, so the optical data could be transformed simultaneously. Besides, the president of our clinic started using Invisalign at initial stage when this technology entered to Japan (2007), so he has many experience using this method.

Price

Look at here about price

Treatment Sapn and Frequency of Appointments

The treatment span of orthodontics

For extraction case: 1~3 years; Non-extraction cases: 1~2 years.

Visiting frequency

1 time a month. For those from foreign countries or areas out of Tokyo, we have the return vist once 2-3 months. We will adjust the frequency depends on your schedule.

The Procedure of treatment

1. 1

   ConsultationFree of charge

   At first visit, we will ask you about where you want to change and your complaint. Then we will tell you the estimated total fee and approximate treatment plan. If you have any problem about tooth alignment, please consult us freely. This consultation is free of charge.

2. 2

   3D simulation

   We use the latest 3D intraoral scanner iTERO element to simulate treatment. Within this new device, we can demonstrate change of treatment before and after without taking impression.

3. 3

   Precise examination and diagnosis

   We use digital cephalometric analysis and intral oral examination to get the picture of your skeletal pattern and teeth alignment. Then we will combine the objective analyze results and your demand to make a diagnosis and choose the most suitable orthodontic appliance.

4. 4

   Active orthodontic treatment start

   Apply the orthodontic appliances. （It takes 15-30 mins.）

5. 5

   Active treatment (come to our clinic periodically)

   Generally, it takes half a year- 3 years for children's orthodontics, and takes 1-3 years for adult orthodontics. In this active treatment, coming to our clinic periodically is necessary (1 time/month). We will observe the tooth motion and adjust the appliance every times.

6. 6

   Active treatment finish (removing orthodontic appliances)

   Removing orthodontic appliances. Since teeth are not stable just after removing, we need a removable retainer to keep the teeth in the finished position.

よくあるご質問

Q

Is it necessary to extract teeth in orthodontics? (If yes, how many teeth?)

A

We try our best to treat without extraction, this is our goal.However, sometimes extraction of teeth make much better result(esthetically and functionally), so we need to suggest you extracting teeth in some cases. We will explain the advantages and disadvantages of ext/non-ext, and then have you depend the treatment plan finally. Even we need to remove teeth, we try to remove less. Since our goal is to build functional dentition, so we can try to expand dentition width or use growth potential to gain space especially on child or adolescent cases. We thus diagnosis, and intervene to treat at the best timing to chieve this goal.

Q

We don't want to extract teeth. Can you explain the disadvantage of treatment without extraction?

A

If alveolar bone, which is the base of dentition, is narrow, and tooth sizes are large, the disharmony is occred. So we cannot to align large teeth to small base(bone). If compulsorily aligning teeth, front teeth will go much more front and become buck teeth.This is not esthetical, so we will suggest extraction at this case.

Q

Can we see the simulation after treatment?

A

We have introduced most advanced devise "iTERO" and the latest 3d analyze soft. Therefore, it is possible to simulate post-treatment change and show you on the monitor. Besides, we can get analyzing result (simulating model) instantly without taking traditional impression which takes more than 1 month, and let you image the cahnge. This advanced method shorten the examination and diagnosis procedure significantly.

Q

The average treatment span of orthodontics is?

A

For extraction case: 1~3 years; Non-extraction cases: 1~2 years.

Q

Are there any side effect such as root resorption?

A

We use a special type of Ni-Ti alloy wire developed of Tokyo Medical and Dental University in our clinic. This wire has several characteristic features that can give teeth light and continuous force which do not harm teeth and bone. Moreover, pain under treatment decreses significantly, so it is a mild way to human body. Within this wire, root resorption is difficult to occur.

Q

How about visiting frequency?

A

Generally once a month. For those from foreign countries or areas out of Tokyo, we have the return vist once 2-3 months.

Q

How about tooth fixation after orthodontic treatment? Do teeth go back to the original positon?

A

After active orthodontic treatment finished, teeth tend to relapse (go back to the original position)e. So we need to use the "retainer" to prevent relapse. This appliance is removable, so if you wear it following doctor's order, teeth can be kept as aligned position. (There are also fixed type retainer).Retention is very important in orthodontics, treatment does not finish even braces are removed, it is still necessary to come here for regularly follow up, especially in the first half year just after removing braces (revist oce a month). After half of a year,the teeth go stable, so we can elonge revisit frequency as 3 month to 1 year. Besides, it is necessary to use retainer for 24h/day at first, but wwaring time can be decreased to only night after teeth alignment got stable.

Q

Are there any precautions after braces applied?

A

After fixed appliances applied, you may got uncomfortable at the first several days, but most patients can be adapted to them. The appliances visibility must be another problem, but we have several choices: white wire, lingual braces, and Invisalign, so you can prevent this esthetical problem. Besides, teeth cleaning get much difficult after fixed appliance applied, the risk of tooth decay and periodontal disease increase. Therefore, we will instruct you how to clean them within braces. If you clean teeth as our order, no severe problems occur.

Q

Are there any problems occur of pronunciation or speeking during orthodontic treatment?

A

We have several different orthodontic methods. Generally, labial orththodontics don't cause this problem. Lingual orthodontic and Invisalign do cause some at first, but it will get better after adaptaion in several days.

Q

Is it possible to treat for tooth decay?

A

Yes, we can remove the wire temporily and perform decay treatmnet.

Q

Does it hurt under orthodontic treatment?

A

Pain may occur when teeth are moving. However, since we use soft Ni-Ti wire, pain is much less than normal stainless steel wire. Therefore, our treatment is suitable for even elementary school students.