CONTACT US TODAY
(650) 367-4967

Find a Post

Tags

Bad Breath Cosmetic Dentistry Dental Bonding Dental Bridges Dental Crowns Dental Fillings Dental Implants Dentures Dry Mouth Full Mouth Reconstruction General Dentistry Gum Disease Gum Recession Inlays Invisalign Microabrasion Onlays Porcelain Veneers Restorative Dentistry Root Canal Root Planing Root Scaling Sleep Apnea Smile Makeover Teeth Grinding Teeth Whitening Tmj Veneers

Archive

Feeds

Login to update your blog.

Contact Information

Jean E. Barthman, DDS
801 Brewster Ave Ste 255
Redwood City, CA 94063
Ph: (650) 367-4967

Send E-mail

Meet Dr. Barthman

Dr. BarthmanBeauty, Health and Comfort. These words best describe the office of Dr. Barthman. Because of her years of experience and education, she possesses the latest knowledge and techniques in restorative and cosmetic dentistry to help you achieve optimal results.

Dr. Barthman is a Member of

  • American Dental Association
  • Las Vegas Institute for
  • Advanced Dental Studies
Read More

Featured Patients

Before Case
Before
After Case
After
Before Case
Before
After Case
After
See More

Did You Know?

Above all else, Dr. Barthman wants for you to have a beautiful, new smile. Prevention is the key to staying healthy and so we recommend the following tips to get you on your way:

  • Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
  • Chew sugarless gum instead of sugary varieties.
  • Floss daily and if possible, after every meal.
  • Prevent plaque and cavities by reducing your daily intake of sweet snacks.
  • Schedule a cleaning and oral examination with Dr. Barthman once a year.

 

Invisalign® for Gapped Teeth: Invisible Orthodontics

February 01, 2018 @ 03:00 PM -- by Dr. Jean Barthman
Tagged with: Invisalign

An Invisalign alignerProblems with dental alignment can leave your smile looking pretty flawed. Thankfully there are plenty of orthodontic treatment options around that can help straighten your smile. One particularly popular treatment option with our Palo Alto, CA patients is Invisalign®.

Let’s take a moment to consider how Invisalign® can treat tooth gaps, improving the spacing and overall alignment of your smile in the process.

Problems Associated with Tooth Gaps

If you have gaps between your teeth, this can lead to a number of issues when it comes to the appearance of your smile as well as your overall dental health.

In terms of smile aesthetics, tooth gaps can make your smile appear crooked or poorly spaced. This can result in feelings of self-consciousness when you laugh, smile, or speak, even around people you have known for many years.

As far as your dental health is concerned, major gaps between teeth can throw off your dental alignment, resulting in excessive pressure along certain portions of your dental arch. This can lead to soreness when biting and chewing. Tooth gaps and similar spacing issues can also lead to teeth grinding (bruxism) as you are sleeping. Teeth grinding can then lead to tooth fractures, gum recession, and TMJ disorders.

How Invisalign® Works

Invisalign® uses custom designed aligner trays to gradually shift the position of a patient’s teeth. Patients will wear an aligner tray for two weeks, keeping it in at all times except for when eating, drinking, and cleaning your teeth. This averages out to around 22 hours a day.

At the end of two weeks, patients will then switch to the next Invisalign® aligner in sequence. The process continues over the course of several months, incrementally improving the appearance and health of your smile.

The Benefits of Invisalign®

There are many benefits to Invisalign® that make it more popular than traditional braces:

  • The Invisalign® aligners are hard to notice, even when others are up close
  • Easy to put on, clean, and take out Invisalign® aligners
  • Oral hygiene is simple while undergoing Invisalign®
  • You can still eat your favorite foods
  • Invisalign® is ideal for teens and adults

How Long Will Invisalign® Treatment Take?

For most patients, Invisalign® treatment will take around 12 to 24 months. This is similar to the average amount of time that someone would wear traditional braces. The end of treatment may be followed with some cosmetic touch-up procedures to ensure the most ideal dental alignment.

Is Invisalign® Painful?

While Invisalign® can lead to some soreness as you’re switching from one aligner tray to the next one, the discomfort is easy to manage. Patients will be given tips for reducing their discomfort as part of the consultation process.

How Effective Is Invisalign®?

Invisalign® is highly effective, leading to results that are comparable to braces. Given the nature of Invisalign®, it essentially allows you to undergo orthodontic treatment you need without anyone noticing that it’s happening.

Is Invisalign® Right for Me?

The best ways to find out if Invisalign® is right for you is to schedule a consultation at our practice. We will be more than happy to answer your questions and address your concerns, and give you all the info you need about your treatment options.

Learn More About Invisalign®

To learn more about Invisalign® and how it can help you have a straight and beautiful smile, be sure to contact our cosmetic and restorative dentistry center. Dr. Jean Barthman and her team look forward to your visit and discussing all of your dental health goals in full detail.