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Although routine dental cleanings are recommended once every 6 to 12 months, putting off going to the dentist is a common fact of adult life. But for expats living in Japan, procrastination can be compounded by the difficulties of finding an English-speaking dentist.

Fortunately, there are a number of Tokyo-based dental clinics that provide not only excellent care but English-language services. Read on for everything you need to know about dental care in Japan, from health insurance coverage to tooth whitening, and a list of more than 20 English-speaking dentists in Tokyo.

Booking Your Dental Appointment

Before visiting a dental clinic in Japan for the first time, call ahead or go in person to make an appointment. On your first visit, you should arrive a few minutes early so that you have time to fill out registration forms and be issued your patient card (shinsatsu-ken) for the clinic. You will need to bring this card to all future visits.

The receptionist might also ask you to fill out a medical questionnaire (monshinhyo). If you’re going to the dentist because of oral pain or discomfort, this is the form on which you would describe your spefcific dental concerns.

Dental Care Cost in Japan

While dental care may be excluded from public health coverage in some countries, Japan is not one of them. Basic dental services including routine tooth cleaning, cavity fillings, root canals, and crowns are all covered under National Health Insurance (kokumin kenko-hoken) and Employee Health Insurance (shakai kenko-hoken). You will need to show your insurance card at check-in, usually on the first visit of every month, for medical billing purposes. Prices for these dental procedures are based on a medical points system, and insurance covers up to 70 percent of costs; you pay the other 30 percent out of pocket.

Your dentist may offer you a more expensive treatment option, for example, gold or ceramic fillings as opposed to regular composite fillings, in which case you will be required to pay an additional cost for the more expensive materials.

Smaller dental clinics may not be able to handle more extensive procedures such as complicated wisdom tooth extractions. In this case, your dentist may provide you with a referral letter to have the procedure done by an oral surgeon at a university hospital, which is also covered by insurance.

If you have some other form of private medical coverage that’s not accepted by the clinic, you will typically be required to pay for 100 percent of all costs upfront. Make sure to have these costs explained to you before treatment and confirm the numbers in writing to prevent any surprises when it’s time to pay the bill.

Dental costs that are not covered by Japanese health insurance are typically related to cosmetic care, including braces, implants, and teeth whitening.

Teeth Whitening

Although it’s not covered by health insurance, cosmetic dental care such as orthodontics and teeth whitening are widely available throughout Tokyo. Train cars and stations are often covered in advertisements for such aesthetic care.

There are three main options for teeth whitening in Japan:

・Over-the-counter whitening toothpaste and mouthwashes
・At-home tooth whitening kits
・In-clinic whitening done by a dentist or dental hygienist

Over-the-counter whitening toothpastes and mouthwashes are widely available at drug stores. You can also find toothpaste-mouthwash hybrids, referred to as “dental lotion,” at some specialty shops in Japan. At-home tooth whitening kits that use whitening strips or gels are not sold over the counter. If this is your preferred method of tooth whitening you will need to ask your dentist.

Teeth whitening done in a professional setting is the safest method. As bleaching can be quite damaging to your teeth, it’s best to have your oral health reviewed by a dentist first. Getting your teeth whitened in a clinic can average around ¥2,000 to ¥10,000 per tooth.

What to Expect During a Dental Visit in Japan

If you suffer from odontophobia, or dental anxiety, it can help to mentally prepare yourself by reading up on the differences in dental care between Japan and other countries.

One such difference is the reluctance to use more anesthetics than is deemed “necessary” for a dental procedure. In Japan, it’s not common to use laughing gas or other sedatives in the course of routine dental care, and during a root canal you might be surprised to only receive localized anesthesia to the tooth being drilled and not the gums surrounding it. You also might not receive a local anesthetic for subsequent visits, even if the dentist is doing more drilling — the logic being that the root has already been removed so you shouldn’t feel any pain. For those with sensitive teeth, this can lead to referred pain and is often the source of horror stories about tooth drilling without anesthesia in Japan.

That’s not to say that all dental clinics operate this way. Dentists and oral surgeons who are educated overseas, or who treat many non-Japanese patients, are typically more familiar with Western standards of dental care and will make sure that you’re comfortably anesthetized before a procedure.

Another difference you may find with Japanese dental clinics is that visits are often kept short, usually 20–30 minutes and you may be asked to come in for multiple visits even for a single root canal treatment. Root canals typically require at least two visits, one for the initial drilling and a follow-up to check that the tooth has not become infected. Before any dental procedure, make sure to discuss with your dentist about how many visits are expected to be required for your treatment. If you find the number excessive, you may want to get a second opinion elsewhere as long as your tooth pain is not too severe to delay treatment.

List of English-Speaking Dentists in Tokyo

Finding proper dental care in Tokyo is very easy. Finding an English-speaking dentist on the other hand may be a bit more challenging. Fortunately, the list below includes a number of dentists and orthodontists in Tokyo that provide dental care with English-speaking staff.

Minato-ku

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Hitomi Dental Office

Preventive dentistry, Cosmetic dentistry, Implants, Oral surgery, Orthodontic treatment, Periodontal treatment, Endodontic treatment

A: Akasaka Royal Plaza 2F 2-13-8 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
T: 03-6277-7983
http://www.hitomidental.com/

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Motoazabu Hills Dental Clinic

Dentistry, Pediatric dentistry, Orthodontics, Oral surgery, Dental implants

A: Motoazabu Hills Forest Terrace West 1-3-3 Motoazabu, Minato-Ku, Tokyo
T: 03-5730-3900
https://www.hills-dc.com/index_e

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Otake Dental Office

General dentistry, Oral surgery, Preventive dentistry, Teeth whitening, Esthetic dentistry, Root canal treatment, Dental implants, Orthodontics

A: Sanwa Jitsugyo Omotesando Bldg. 3F., 3-6-19, Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
T: 03-5766-0022
http://www.o-dent.com/english/

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Roppongi Keyakizaka Dental Office

General dentistry, Periodontics treatment, Dental implant, Pediatric dentistry, Orthodontics, Cosmetic dentistry, Whitening

A: 2F Arikawa Building 6-17-1, Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
T: 03-6459-2560
https://www.setaden.com/english

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Tokyo Ambassador Dental Office

​Dentistry, Oral surgery, Orthodontics, Oral implantology, Esthetic dentistry

A: Suite 201, 2-22-15, Akasaka, Minato-ku. Tokyo
T: 03-3584-2278
http://www.tokyodentist.com/

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Tokyo Clinic Dental Office

Preventive dentistry, Periodontal therapy, Restorative dentistry, Cosmetic dentistry

A: 32 Shiba Koen Building 3F., 3-4-30 Shiba Koen, Minato-ku, Tokyo
T: 03-3431-4225
http://www.tcdo.jp/

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TOKYO International Dental Clinic Roppongi

General dentistry, Endodontic (Root canal) treatment, Periodontal treatment, Esthetic treatment, Orthodontic treatment, Implant treatment

A: TIDS Bldg., 2F., 5-13-25, Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
T: 03-5544-8544
http://www.tids.jp/2033english/

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United Dental Office

Dentistry, Oral surgery, Cosmetic dentistry, Implant

A: Maruyama Bldg. 1F., 2-3-8, Azabudai, Minato-ku, Tokyo
T: 03-5570-4334
http://www.uniteddentaloffice.com/

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Yo Dental Office

General dentistry , Osseo implant, Cosmetic

A: HIROO23 5-14-14, Minami-Azabu, Minato-Ku, Tokyo
T: 03-5969-8241
http://www.yodental.jp/index-e.html

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Bunkyo-ku

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Hitomi Dental Office

Preventive dentistry, Cosmetic dentistry, Implants, Oral surgery, Orthodontic treatment, Periodontal treatment, Endodontic treatment

A: 1-24-6, Sekiguchi Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
T: 03-6280-8789
http://www.hitomidental.com/

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Chiyoda-ku

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Kasumigaseki Dental Office

General dentistry, Periodontal treatment, Preventive dentistry, Cosmetic treatment, White spot treatment, Whitening, Orthodontics, Denture treatment, Implant treatment

A: Commongate Annex 1st Floor, 3-2-3 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
T: ​03-6205-4884
https://commongate-dc.com/english/

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Hanzomon Dental Office

Dental implant, Ceramic treatment, Dental crowns, Whitening, Preventive dentistry, Periodontal disease treatment

A: 1-1-1-101 Hirakawacho Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
T: ​03-3239-4182
http://www.hanzomon-dental.com/english/

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Chuo-ku

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Dental Office OC3 Ginza

General dentistry, Implants, Esthetic dentistry, Pediatric dentistry

A:Queen's House 4F4-3-9, Ginza, Chuo-kuTokyo
T: 03-6205-4545
https://bokupurin.wixsite.com/oc3hibiya

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Meguro-ku

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YAMATE Dental Clinic

Dentistry in general (Implant, Laser), Pediatric, Orthodontic, Cosmetic

A: 3-5-4, Nakameguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
T: 03-3719-6874
http://www.yamate-d.com/english/EnglishGuide.html

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Shibuya-ku

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Daikanyama Dental Clinic

General dentistry, Preventative dentistry, Pediatric dentistry, Orthodontic dentistry, Dental implant, Teeth whitening

A: Daikanyama Plaza 3F, 24-7 Sarugakucho, Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo
T: 03-3462-0787
http://www.daikanyamashika.jp/english/

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Dr. Kaku’s Office

[Hiroo]
Dentistry, Pediatric dentistry, Orthodontics
A: 5-9-23, Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
T: 03-5449-3308

[Yoyogi]
Dentistry, Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics
A: 46-17, Oyama-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
T: 03-5452-0118
http://www.drskaku.com/en.html

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Fukutomi Dental Office

General dentistry, Checkups & cleaning, Whitening, Periodontal disease, Taste disorder, Dry mouth, Orthodontics, Implant dentistry,  Esthetic dentistry

A: 27-7 Motoyoyogicho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (1st floor)
T: 03-6407-0229
https://www.tokyodentalesthetics.com/en/

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Quarts Dental Clinic

General dentistry, Checkups & Cleaning, Whitening, Periodontal disease, Taste disorder, Dry Mouth, Orthodontics, Implant dentistry

A: TOKUSHINKAI QUARTZ TOWER, 2-10-10 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
T: 03-6362-6688
http://www.quartztower.com/english/

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TRUST DENTAL CLINIC

General dentistry, Oral surgery, Dental implants, Preventive, and Restorative dentistry

A: 1-11-1, Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
T: 03-3402-1501
http://www.trustdental.jp/english/

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Suginami-ku

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Yamanaka Dental Clinic

General dentistry, Preventative dentistry, Dental surgery, Orthodontic dentistry, Implants, Gum disease, Esthetic dentistry, Whitening

A: Excellent Hamadayama 1F, 3-33-18 Hamadayama Suginami-ku, Tokyo
T: 03-3304-8217
http://www.hamadayama-implant.com/english/

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List of Restorative and Cosmetic Dental Clinics in Tokyo

For restorative care and cosmetic dentistry, here are several dental clinics offering English-language services.

Azabu Tokyo Dental Clinic

Implant, Esthetic dentistry

A: Minami Azabu Centre 7F, 4-12-25 Minamiazabu, Minato-Ku, Tokyo
T: 03-5422-7518  
http://www.azabutokyodc.jp/en/

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CS Orthodontic Clinic

Orthodontics

A: A: Zoen Kaikan Bldg. 5F., 1-20-11, Jinnan, Shibuya-ku
T: 03-3464-0418
http://www.cskyousei.com/english/

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Fujimoto Dental Clinic

Dentistry dock, Crown and bridge, Dental implant Therapy, Periodontal therapy, Dentures, Endodontic therapy, Orthodontic therapy, Esthetic dentures, Maintenance

A: Kami-Pulp Kaikan (Phoenix Plaza) 4F,Ginza 3-9-11, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
T: 03-5551-0051
http://www.fujimoto-dental.com/english/ 

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Minami Aoyama Implant Center

Implant, Esthetic dentistry

A: Midera Bldg 3F, 1-15-1, Minami Aoyama, Minato-Ku, Tokyo
T: 03-5411-1525
http://www.implant-center.ne.jp/

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Shiroganedai Orthodontics

Orthodontics

A: 2F, 4-8-9, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo
T: 03-5475-6400
http://tokyosmile.net/en/ 

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TOKYO International Dental Clinic Roppongi

General dentistry, Root canal treatment, Periodontal treatment, Esthetic treatment, Orthodontic treatment, Implant treatment

A: TIDS Bldg., 2F., 5-13-25, Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
T: 03-5544-8544
http://www.tids.jp/2033english/

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United Dental Office

Children dentistry, Implant, Cosmetic dentistry, including dental Emergency, Routine check-up and cleaning, Fillings, Root canal treatment

A: 2-3-8-1F Azabudai Minato-ku Tokyo
T: 03-5570-4334
https://www.uniteddentaloffice.com/

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Don’t Put Off Going to the Dentist During Your Time in Tokyo

Japan has excellent medical care across all areas of healthcare, dental care being no exception. Some medical practices may be slightly different from what you are used to, but they still provide all the same types of services you might get in your home country: regular dental check-ups, teeth cleaning, fillings, braces, and all other standard dental procedures not mentioned. Now that you have learned how easy it is to go to the dentist in Tokyo, there is no excuse when it comes to keeping your teeth clean!