Can orthodontic treatment be done without extracting teeth?!
It’s located in Ashiya City, but almost right on the border between Ashiya and Nishinomiya. Shachomi went to check out the “Shintani Dental Clinic”, which has introduced the latest 3D scanner, “iTero Lumina(アイテロ ルミナ)”〜
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What does “orthodontics without extractions” actually mean?
We asked Director Shintani all about it.
At our clinic, we mainly focus on clear aligner orthodontics such as Invisalign, and our policy is to straighten teeth while avoiding extractions as much as possible. Of course, some cases do require tooth extraction, but now that we’ve introduced the latest 3D scanner, “iTero Lumina”, it has become even easier to create accurate treatment plans. Please take a look!
Wait, what?! I know it doesn’t mean “no extractions, no matter what,” but it’s really nice that they try to make treatment possible without removing teeth whenever they can. And they even have high-tech equipment?! Now I’m really curious〜〜
What is the latest 3D scanner, “iTero Lumina”? No more clay-like impressions
Here’s the iTero Lumina, which Shintani Dental Clinic introduced last autumn.
This is the iTero Lumina, a high-performance intraoral scanner equipped with advanced technology. Instead of using traditional clay-like impression material, it quickly captures your teeth with a camera and creates highly accurate 3D data.
Wow, that’s amazing! I hated those cold impressions that made me gag（笑）. I heard this can be done in about 1 to 3 minutes?
That’s right. The patient opens their mouth wide, and we simply move the dedicated handheld camera inside the mouth. It’s easy for us to operate too, so the burden on patients becomes much lighter.
I see〜. I’d love to see it being used on an actual patient, but today it’s more of a quick look （just as a demo）, right?
Yes, this time it’s only a demonstration. The idea is that we use this kind of camera and monitor to clearly display data on the alignment of the teeth〜
A 3D image on the monitor… does this show every detail of your teeth?!
There’s a huge dental model on the screen… Well, this is just a demo sample, but it looks incredibly realistic!
Exactly. We can check the current alignment of the teeth in 3D, and analyze overlapping teeth and the bite as well. The simulation function can also estimate how the teeth may move in the future, but there are major individual differences, so please think of it as just an image or reference.
Wow〜. I’ve heard that it’s less painful than wire braces, and if teeth can be aligned without extracting them, I bet a lot of people would want to try it.
※For more details, visit the official website!
“Is non-extraction orthodontics really okay?” Patient concerns Q&A
I was excited to see the latest 3D scanner, iTero Lumina, but when it comes to actually getting treatment, there are still plenty of things to worry about. So I’m going to ask the doctor about the concerns I’d have!
Q1: Is it really possible without extracting teeth?
Of course, depending on the case, extractions may be necessary. However, Invisalign is designed to move teeth while making good use of the space in the jaw, so it can increase the possibility of straightening teeth while avoiding extractions as much as possible. From the perspective of long-term dental health as well, I think it can be a strong option for people who want to keep as many of their natural teeth as possible.
Q2: What about pain, and how is it different from wire braces?
It’s said to cause less pain and discomfort than wire braces. Since no metal is used, the inside of the mouth is less likely to be injured. That said, orthodontic treatment does move the teeth, so you may feel some pain or discomfort. It varies a lot from person to person, but you can proceed while receiving support from the dental clinic.
Q3: What about meals and brushing your teeth?
You can remove the aligners when eating, so you can enjoy meals normally. Brushing your teeth is also much easier compared with wire braces. The aligners won’t move your teeth unless you wear them for the required amount of time, so that’s the one point you need to be careful about.
Q4: Is it true that you can be checked remotely?
Recently, we’ve also introduced a service that uses a system called Dental Monitoring, where patients send photos of their tooth alignment so we can check them remotely. However, it does not mean you never need to visit the clinic; regular in-person visits are still necessary. Think of it as reducing the burden for busy people.
Q5: If someone is concerned about their tooth alignment, when should they start orthodontic treatment?
- Elementary school age（mixed dentition stage）
This is the period when baby teeth are being replaced by permanent teeth, and the teeth and jaw are still growing.
Starting orthodontic treatment at this stage may, in some cases, increase the chance of avoiding extractions in the future. - Junior high to high school students
This is when the alignment of the teeth is almost complete. However, since there is still some growth remaining, it can be easier to move the teeth and jaw significantly.
Schedules may be difficult because of club activities, entrance exams, and so on, but compared with wire braces, clear aligners are less noticeable
