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.
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.
Quick Facts
At a glance
Treatment Duration
12–24 months typical, depending on age and case
Cost Range
Contact for personalized quote
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
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.
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
- Image: Initial consultation
01
Initial consultation
Comprehensive assessment, oral habit screening, treatment recommendation in writing.
First visit
- Image: Treatment plan & start
02
Treatment plan & start
First trainer fitted; parent and child coached on the wear schedule and myofunctional exercises.
Within 1–2 weeks
- Image: Active treatment phase
03
Active treatment phase
Monthly to bi-monthly reviews. Trainer adjustments and progressing through the Myobrace stages.
12–24 months
- Image: Retention
04
Retention
Once the desired position is achieved, a maintenance phase ensures habits are stable.
Variable
- Image: Long-term review
05
Long-term review
Reviews every 6–12 months through ongoing growth to ensure stable outcomes.
Ongoing
Pricing
Children's orthodontics cost
Pricing depends on the system selected and the duration of treatment. A personalised quote is issued in writing after the initial assessment.
Myobrace System (3-12 yrs)
Pricing depends on phase and case complexity. TBD.
Contact for personalized quote
Invisalign First (children)
TBD.
Contact for personalized quote
Smartee Aligner (children)
TBD.
Contact for personalized quote
What's included — no hidden costs
- Initial assessment and oral habit screening
- Myobrace appliances through the active phase (or Invisalign First / Smartee where selected)
- Monthly to bi-monthly review visits
- Myofunctional exercise coaching
- Retention phase appliances where required
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 all-inclusive 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.
Patient stories
Case studies available upon consultation.
Specific case details are shared in person or in writing during your consultation, with patient consent obtained for every disclosure in line with medical advertising guidelines.
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Pediatric Dentistry
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General & Preventive Dentistry
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Dental Tourism Japan
Dental Tourism in Japan
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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.
