Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on November 2011

If your teeth are in need of something more than a checkup or cleaning, the choice of dental clinics in Tokyo can be daunting and confusing—especially if visiting one makes you a little, uh, nervous. Don’t be. Attentive care, English language ability and, of course, reasonable prices can all be found at Aoyama St. Omotesando Dental Clinic. Here, cavity protection and simple dental cleaning start from just ¥3,000 (with insurance). Cavity protection can be had from ¥8,000 without insurance, as well as professional mechanical tooth cleaning from just ¥15,000.

A first visit includes a friendly counseling session (in English) where Dr. Ootara and his staff will find out exactly what procedures you require and explain in a simple, honest assessment what they can do for you.

Nearly 50 percent of all the procedures Dr. Ootara performs involve fixing a broken a tooth. Foreigners without insurance may tend to wait until the next visit home, but leaving a broken tooth exposed can lead to nerve damage or nerve death, root canals, and even extraction. Add in your airfare and holiday time, and the truth is, waiting could cost you even more money.

At Aoyama St. Omotesando Dental Clinic, a ceramic inlay to fix the tooth costs just ¥50,000. And there are no rubber dams or torture devices from the ’70s. Modern laser X-rays, painless techniques and the latest digital technology are used no matter the procedure or the price. Even a full ceramic crown, perfectly matched to your tooth color, can be molded, created and applied for ¥120,000 (back tooth) or ¥150,000 (front tooth).

While sitting in a dentist chair is never fun, Dr. Ootara and his patient staff make it easy and affordable. That’s sure to put a smile on your face.

1F Osakabe Bldg, 5-46-12 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku. Tel: 03-3486-4484. Open Mon-Tue & Thu-Fri 11am-1:30pm and 3-8pm, Sat-Sun 10am-1pm and 2-5pm, closed Wed & hols. Nearest stn: Omotesando. www.aoyama-omotesando.jp