Development-focused, not symptom-focused
Treatment addresses the causes of crooked teeth — habits, breathing, jaw growth — rather than masking them later with braces.
Children's Orthodontics · Ages 3–12
Myobrace in Tokyo — Early Orthodontic Treatment for Children
A development-focused approach addressing the underlying causes of crooked teeth: oral habits, breathing, and jaw growth. Myobrace as the primary system; Invisalign First or Smartee Aligner where appropriate.
Noticing something about your child's teeth or bite?
Worried your child's teeth or bite aren't developing quite right?
Crowding, a gap, an overbite, or a habit like mouth-breathing can be hard to read as a parent — and it is natural to wonder whether to wait or to act now.
Early, growth-guided orthodontics can gently steer how the jaw and teeth develop, often easing the need for harder treatment later. Below: how we assess and guide your child's development in Tokyo, the cost in writing, and what to expect — explained to you and your child in English.
About
What is Myobrace and early orthodontic treatment?
Myobrace is a series of removable intraoral appliances designed to address the underlying causes of crooked teeth in growing children — namely incorrect oral habits, mouth breathing, and tongue posture.
Rather than waiting until permanent teeth have erupted and treating the symptoms with braces or aligners, early orthodontic treatment guides natural jaw development and corrects habits while the child is still growing.
At Rodin, the Myobrace system is the primary approach. Invisalign First and Smartee Aligner are used as alternative or complementary systems where the case calls for clear-aligner technique. Traditional expansion plates (拡大床) are deliberately not part of our protocol — the focus is on natural development guided by good habits.
How it works
How does early orthodontic treatment work?
- 01
Initial assessment
Comprehensive examination including oral posture, breathing pattern, and developing dentition. Photos and where appropriate, imaging.
First visit
- 02
Treatment plan & system selection
Myobrace as the primary system; Invisalign First or Smartee Aligner where appropriate based on the child's case.
Same visit or follow-up
- 03
Trainer fitting and activity coaching
The child receives their first trainer and learns the daily wear schedule — typically 1–2 hours during the day plus overnight.
Fitting visit
- 04
Myofunctional exercises
Simple daily exercises to retrain tongue posture, lip seal, and breathing. Parents are coached on supporting the routine at home.
Ongoing daily
- 05
Monthly review
Progress reviewed monthly; trainer adjusted or upgraded as the child develops.
Monthly visits
Why Rodin
Why Rodin for children's orthodontics?
Myobrace primary system
The leading early-treatment system worldwide, with a substantial caseload at Rodin.
Invisalign First / Smartee Aligner where appropriate
Clear aligner options for children whose case calls for that technique — chosen case-by-case.
No traditional expansion plates
We deliberately do not use 拡大床 — our approach prioritises natural development guided by habit correction.
English-speaking pediatric care
Comfortable consultations for both parent and child, fully in English.
Coordinated with general pediatric dentistry
Routine preventive care can be combined with orthodontic visits for efficient appointments.
The Pureteth programme
Myofunctional training for growing children
Pureteth is a myofunctional training programme for children. Using a soft, removable trainer (Myobrace®) together with simple daily exercises, it works on the oral habits that can interfere with natural development — mouth breathing, low tongue posture, and incorrect swallowing — during the years a child is still growing.
Rather than waiting for all the permanent teeth to come through and then moving them, Pureteth aims to guide healthy jaw and facial growth early. Where habits are corrected in good time, this can reduce the likelihood of needing braces or extractions later — though every child is different, and some still benefit from further orthodontics in the teenage years.
A nationwide programme
Pureteth has been used in more than 2,000 cases across Japan, making it one of the country's more widely-used myofunctional training programmes.
Supervised by experienced clinicians
Treatment is supervised by dentists and staff experienced in myofunctional therapy, so your child is guided and supported at every stage.
Online consultations available
Busy families can begin with a remote consultation in English before visiting the clinic in person.
Early signs
Does your child show any of these signs?
Oral and facial development is strongly shaped by how the muscles of the tongue, lips and cheeks work together. Allergies, mouth breathing, and habits such as thumb-sucking can affect that balance and, in turn, the way the jaw and teeth develop. Many children begin to show signs from an early age — and the earlier they are noticed, the more options there usually are.
- Mouth breathing
- Thumb or finger sucking
- Low tongue posture / tongue thrusting
- Snoring or restless sleep
- Crowded or crooked teeth
- Difficulty closing the lips at rest
- Incorrect swallowing pattern
- Speech difficulties
- Grinding teeth
If habits like these continue, they may affect how the jaw develops and increase the likelihood of misalignment. A consultation can help you understand what — if anything — is worth acting on for your child.
Understanding malocclusion
Common types of misaligned teeth
There are many forms of malocclusion. These are some of the most common bite and alignment patterns seen in children:
Crowding
Teeth are crowded, overlapping, or rotated because there isn't enough room in the jaw. This is the most common pattern, often linked to a jaw that is narrower than the teeth need.
Overjet
The upper front teeth sit well ahead of the lower teeth (often described as 'protruding' front teeth). It can relate to jaw growth, genetics, or habits such as lip-biting or thumb-sucking.
Underbite (reverse bite)
The lower front teeth sit in front of the upper front teeth. It is often related to jaw growth patterns, and is one of the patterns where an earlier assessment is particularly worthwhile.
Open bite
The front teeth don't meet when the back teeth are closed together. It is frequently associated with tongue posture, thumb-sucking, or mouth breathing.
Crossbite
Some upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth instead of outside them. Left unaddressed, it can affect how evenly the jaw grows.
Deep bite
The upper front teeth cover too much of the lower front teeth when biting. Over time this can affect tooth wear and jaw comfort.
Why early intervention
Reasons families choose to start early
Works with natural growth
Starting during the growth phase means treatment can work with a child's development rather than against it, helping guide the jaw in a favourable direction.
No fixed wires or brackets
Pureteth uses a removable trainer rather than fixed braces, so children can eat, brush, and play sport as usual.
Gentle on daily life
Because the trainer is removable, it's easier to keep up good oral hygiene and fit treatment around school and family routines.
Addresses underlying habits
Myofunctional training works on the muscle habits — breathing, tongue posture, swallowing — that can sit behind misalignment, not only the position of the teeth.
May reduce later treatment
Guiding growth and correcting habits early can reduce the likelihood — though not always remove the need — of braces or extractions later.
Manageable for busy families
Daytime wear is only a short period each day plus overnight, which keeps the routine realistic to sustain over time.
The daily routine
What the Pureteth programme involves
The programme fits into everyday life through a simple, repeatable rhythm of wear and short daily exercises, with a monthly check-in at the clinic.
Night-time wear
Your child wears the Myobrace® trainer while sleeping, supporting the jaw and teeth through the night-time hours.
1–2 hours of daytime wear
A short period of daytime wear — after school or during quiet time — reinforces the night-time work and helps the routine settle in.
~10 minutes of daily activities
Simple daily exercises ('activities') retrain the muscles of the tongue, lips and cheeks and encourage nose breathing, in a way children can enjoy.
Monthly clinic visits
Once a month, the dentist checks progress, adjusts the trainer if needed, and updates the activities — so families always know how treatment is going.
About the cases shown
The before-and-after results featured on this page are from children treated within the THE DENTAL OFFICE group — including our sister clinic, THE DENTAL OFFICE Shiki — under the same supervising doctor. Each case carries its own treatment, materials, total cost, duration, and risk disclosure on its dedicated page. Your child's care and all communication are coordinated in English through RODIN.
Case Studies
Before & After
Each case below is published with the patient's written consent. The treatment performed, material used, treatment period, total cost (incl. tax), and main risks are listed in full on each case page.
Myobrace® — overjet / protruding upper teeth (age 9)
Self-pay (non-insured)
Myobrace® — overjet / protruding upper teeth (age 6)
Self-pay (non-insured)
Self-pay (non-insured) treatment. Individual results vary. See each case page for full treatment details, cost, and risks.
Your RODIN team
A specialist team — and not a word of Japanese required
From a U.S.-trained prosthodontist to multilingual patient support, these are the people who will look after you — so there is no language barrier between you and your care.
Dr. Ryosuke Murai, D.D.S., M.S.D.
U.S. Trained Prosthodontist · All-on-4 / Full-Arch Restoration Lead
Prosthodontic expert with U.S. experience.
Dr. Ayaka Nakamura, D.D.S.
Pediatric Orthodontics · Aesthetic Dentistry Lead
Cutting-edge personalized treatments for beauty and health.
Dr. Eri Akasaka, D.D.S.
Prosthodontics & Periodontics
Prosthodontics · Periodontics · Implants.
Dr. Sanober Ahmed, B.D.S. (India)
Patient Support
Multilingual support — from your first message through to follow-up.
Robert Brammer
General Manager
Oversees clinic operations and your overall patient experience.
Comparison
Myobrace vs traditional children's orthodontics
Parents researching children's orthodontics often weigh Myobrace, expansion plates, and waiting until braces age. The differences below outline the approaches.
—
Myobrace at Rodin
Traditional approach
Treatment age
Myobrace at Rodin3–12 (during natural growth)
Traditional approachOften 10–14 with braces
Approach
Myobrace at RodinCauses: habits, breathing, jaw growth
Traditional approachSymptoms: tooth alignment
Appliance
Myobrace at RodinRemovable trainer worn 1–2 hr/day + overnight
Traditional approachFixed expansion plate or later braces
Expansion plates (拡大床)
Myobrace at RodinNot used
Traditional approachCommon in older protocols
Child's experience
Myobrace at RodinNon-invasive, removable
Traditional approachVariable — fixed appliances longer
Goal
Myobrace at RodinNatural jaw development
Traditional approachTooth alignment after growth
Process
Your child's orthodontic journey
For most patients, booking a visit directly is perfectly fine. An online consultation is an optional step — mainly helpful if you're considering a larger case such as full-mouth treatment, or simply prefer to discuss things in advance.
01
Initial consultation
Comprehensive assessment, oral habit screening, treatment recommendation in writing.
First visit
02
Treatment plan & start
First trainer fitted; parent and child coached on the wear schedule and myofunctional exercises.
Within 1–2 weeks
03
Active treatment phase
Monthly to bi-monthly reviews. Trainer adjustments and progressing through the Myobrace stages.
12–24 months
04
Retention
Once the desired position is achieved, a maintenance phase ensures habits are stable.
Variable
05
Long-term review
Reviews every 6–12 months through ongoing growth to ensure stable outcomes.
Ongoing
Key Takeaways
- Myobrace is the primary system used at Rodin for children aged 3–12, addressing the causes of crooked teeth rather than treating symptoms with expansion plates.
- Invisalign First or Smartee Aligner are used as alternative or complementary systems for select cases.
- Traditional expansion plates (拡大床) are not used at Rodin — the focus is on natural jaw development, breathing, and oral posture.
- Treatment combines a removable trainer worn daily with myofunctional exercises and habit correction.
- English-speaking care delivered by a clinician with focus on cosmetic and pediatric orthodontics.
- Transparent Pureteth pricing: a free first consultation, a ¥385,000 programme fee, and ¥5,500 per monthly review visit.
Quick Facts
At a glance
Treatment Duration
12–24 months typical, depending on age and case
Cost Range
Free first consultation · ¥385,000 programme · ¥5,500 per monthly visit
Number of Visits
Monthly to bi-monthly during active phase
Anesthesia Type
None — non-invasive removable trainers
Recovery Time
None; some adaptation to wearing the trainer
Suitable for
Children aged 3–12 with developing dentition and oral habits
Pricing
Children's orthodontics cost
The Pureteth (Myobrace) programme has a transparent fee structure: the first consultation is free, the programme fee for the active phase is ¥385,000 (incl. tax), and monthly review visits are ¥5,500 each (incl. tax). Invisalign First or Smartee Aligner are quoted individually where those systems are selected. A written plan is issued after the initial assessment.
Initial Consultation
First Pureteth / Myobrace consultation — assessment of your child's oral habits and suitability for the programme.
Free
Pureteth (Myobrace) Programme
Programme fee for the active treatment phase, including the Myobrace® trainers and myofunctional activity coaching. Incl. tax.
¥385,000
Monthly Review Visit
Per monthly check-up during the active phase — progress review, trainer adjustment, and updated activities. Incl. tax.
¥5,500
Invisalign First (children)
Used as an alternative or complementary system in select cases.
Contact for personalized quote
Smartee Aligner (children)
Used as an alternative or complementary system in select cases.
Contact for personalized quote
What's included — no hidden costs
- Free initial consultation and oral-habit assessment
- Myobrace® trainers through the active phase
- Myofunctional activity (exercise) coaching
- Monthly progress reviews and trainer adjustments
- Written treatment plan before the programme begins
We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, bank wire transfer, and cash in JPY. Payments are processed in Japanese yen. International credit cards are accepted.
For international patients
Children's orthodontics for international families
Monthly to bi-monthly visits are ideal. For families based outside Japan, treatment can be coordinated with a local orthodontist via written records and video reviews.
Pre-arrival online consultation
A doctor reviews your photographs and history before you travel, and replies in writing within two business days with a preliminary plan.
Hotel & access guidance
We can recommend hotels within walking distance of the clinic in Onarimon / Minato-ku, and provide written directions in your preferred language.
Interpretation support
Care is delivered in English by default. Mandarin, Korean, and Spanish support is available for consultations on request.
Aftercare from your home country
Video follow-ups and written records in English. Where local in-person care is needed, we coordinate with a referral network of trusted clinics.
Risks & considerations
Risks & considerations
Every dental procedure carries some risk. The points below outline what most patients can expect. Your individual risk profile is discussed in detail during your consultation, and any case-specific considerations are noted in writing as part of your treatment plan.
- Compliance is essential — the trainer must be worn daily for the recommended hours, and exercises performed consistently.
- Treatment timeline depends on the child's growth pattern; faster results in younger children with active habits.
- Not every malocclusion is suitable for early treatment alone; some cases require braces or aligners in the teenage years.
- Parental support is essential — younger children especially need encouragement to maintain the routine.
Not suitable for
- Children with severe skeletal discrepancies that may require surgical intervention in adulthood (assessed during consultation).
- Cases where the child or family is unable to commit to the daily wear and exercise schedule.
Concerns addressed
Common questions from international patients
Will language be a barrier?
No. Our team provides care fully in English, with additional support available in Mandarin, Korean, and Spanish. Treatment plans, consent forms, and aftercare instructions are issued in your preferred language.
Are there hidden costs?
No. Every estimate is issued in writing before treatment begins, with transparent pricing covering consultation, imaging, materials, the procedure itself, and routine follow-up. Anything not included is disclosed explicitly.
What about post-treatment care after I return home?
We provide remote video consultations and written aftercare instructions in your language. If urgent attention is required, we maintain a referral network of trusted clinics in major cities and coordinate directly with your local dentist.
How long do I need to stay in Tokyo?
Stay length depends on the treatment — see the section above for the typical timeline. Your final itinerary is confirmed after the online consultation so flights and accommodation can be planned with confidence.
Common questions
Frequently asked
At what age should my child start Myobrace?
+
Myobrace can begin as early as age 3, with most children starting between 5 and 9 when habits and developing dentition are easier to influence. The optimal start age is confirmed during the initial assessment.
How long does Myobrace treatment take?
+
Active treatment typically lasts 12–24 months, depending on the child's age, growth pattern, and compliance with the wear schedule. A retention phase follows to stabilise the result.
Does Myobrace replace traditional braces?
+
In some cases, yes — children who complete Myobrace successfully often need little or no further orthodontic treatment in their teenage years. In other cases, Myobrace provides a foundation that simplifies any future braces or aligner treatment.
Why doesn't Rodin use expansion plates (拡大床)?
+
Our approach prioritises natural jaw development guided by habit correction. Expansion plates apply mechanical force to widen the palate, which can be effective but does not address the underlying habits driving the malocclusion. We focus on habits and growth instead.
Can my child do sports while wearing Myobrace?
+
Yes. The Myobrace trainer is worn for 1–2 hours during the day (often during quiet activities at home) plus overnight. It is removed for sports, eating, and brushing.
What if my child refuses to wear the trainer?
+
Compliance is the most important factor in success. We work with parents on age-appropriate strategies, and the trainer is upgraded gradually so the child adjusts comfortably.
Do we need to live in Tokyo for Myobrace?
+
Monthly to bi-monthly in-person visits are ideal. International families typically coordinate with a local orthodontist for routine reviews, with periodic visits to Rodin for milestone assessments.
How does Invisalign First compare to Myobrace?
+
Invisalign First is a clear-aligner system for growing children. It can complement or replace Myobrace in select cases where aligner technique is the more appropriate approach. The choice is made case-by-case during consultation.
Related treatments
Continue exploring
Adult Orthodontics · Ages 13+
Adult Clear Aligners
Learn More →
Adult Orthodontics · Ages 13+
Adult Wire Braces
Learn More →
Children's Dentistry · Ages 1–15
Pediatric Dentistry
Learn More →
General & Preventive Dentistry
General & Preventive Dentistry
Learn More →
Dental Tourism Japan
Dental Tourism in Japan
Learn More →
Further reading
In-depth guides
Clear Aligners vs Traditional Braces
How early myofunctional treatment fits alongside the aligner-vs-braces decision many families face later.
Learn More →
Your First Dental Consultation in Tokyo
What to expect at a first visit — useful when bringing a child to an English-speaking clinic for the first time.
Learn More →
Finding an English-Speaking Dentist in Tokyo
How families living in or visiting Tokyo can find children's care delivered fully in English.
Learn More →
Ready to discuss your child's orthodontic treatment?
Choose the option that fits where you are in your decision. A doctor — not a coordinator — replies to every online consultation within two business days.
Reply within 2 business days from a doctor — not a coordinator.
