My History
Back when I was working as a young dentist, I happened to be invited to an academic conference by one of my seniors. I accepted the invitation, and it opened my eyes to the wonders of implants. The primary treatments for missing teeth include bridges, dentures, and implants, but implants are superior in terms of both functionality and aesthetics, allowing you to chew naturally as with your real teeth.
When I first started providing this treatment, implant treatment was not yet that widespread in Japan, and remember there being intense opposition from within the industry. However, I believed in the value of implants, studied more about them overseas, and conveyed how great they are to a large number of patients. The joy of the patients who actually underwent implant treatment was incomparably greater than that of those receiving other treatments. Every time I witnessed that joy, it renewed my passion to master implants, and I eventually even started a clinic that specialized in them.
I have also devised a unique treatment to reduce the burden on patients during surgery. By making the wounds smaller and minimizing pain and swelling, the progress is milder and you can soon enjoy meals as usual, while the long-term prognosis is also good.
I have received very positive feedback from so many patients. In one case, the implants are still serving well after 26 years, and every time I see this kind of good long-term outcome, I’m also reminded of the excellence of our implant treatment.
The Present
At present, along with providing implants, I organize “Implant Briefings for First-Time Patients.” I have been doing these free briefings for first-time and anxious patients for more than 15 years.
During the sessions, I start with talking about the basics: “Why did you lose your teeth?” Most the participants at the sessions lack knowledge about dental health and treatment, so it is important to help them understand the importance of prevention first. Dental health has a considerable impact on overall health. There’s a term “oral frailty” that refers to weakening of the inside of the mouth, in turn leading to weakening of the body and higher risk of eventually ending up bedridden. The only person who can protect your health is yourself.
Moreover, I organize seminars not only for patients but also for dentists, where I try to take on a leader’s role with regard to the knowledge and skills necessary for implant treatment. By growing the number of dentists who provide appropriate treatment, I hope to spread the wonders of implants to more people.
As a dentist, I think it’s important to have good communication with staff and patients. A key to this is to “laughter and jokes.” I personally do my best to tell jokes like a comedian in an effort to alleviate the tension that my patients feel. Nihonbashi Implant Center prides itself on being “Japan’s top dental clinic where the laughter never stops.” The dentist is one of people’s least favorite places to go. So, once someone has made the effort of coming in, we should do our best to send them off with smiles and jokes. My aim is to create an environment where patients feel it’s easy to come and talk, doing so by preparing a place where the trouble of receiving treatment is as light as possible.
For the Future
My intention is to keep spreading safe and secure implant treatment in the future. Implants are a treatment that can achieve wonderful results if done correctly. I want to focus on educational activities to help more people understand its safety and effects.
Unfortunately, however, there have been many cases where insufficient knowledge about implants has resulted in accidents and troubles, endangering patient health. As such, I feel that it is necessary for both patients undergoing treatment and dentists perform the treatment to acquire the correct knowledge of implants.
I published a technical book for dentists in 2024. It collects what I have practiced and my thoughts to date together with relevant evidence, functioning as a useful manual for practicing dentists. The plan is for it to be translated into English and Korean in the future. Moreover, I’m making preparations to create a database of techniques and experience that I have cultivated to date, so that it can be communicated to people around the world. My wish is to provide patients around the world with safe implant treatment that offers an excellent prognosis.