The Jorgensen Orthodontics Blog

It’s That Time of Year Again… or Why Teenage Patients Have More TMJ Problems in the Springtime

Posted by Dr. Jorgensen on May 2nd, 2013

Every spring without fail our office receives an increased number of phone calls from patients (current and former) asking to be seen for suddenly appearing jaw pain. Parents report that the teenagers have pain in their jaw that wasn’t there before and they are now experiencing trouble eating, studying, and sleeping. This happens at the same time every year and it is no coincidence. The last few weeks of April and the first couple weeks of May are the busiest and most stressful time of the year for our student patients. They have papers, projects, tests, graduation, and other end-of-year…

Can Orthodontic Expanders Be Used on the Lower Teeth to Avoid Extractions?

Posted by Dr. Jorgensen on April 13th, 2013

I don’t think I’ve ever had a patient excited about having teeth removed as part of orthodontic treatment. Nevertheless, there are some mouths that just don’t have enough room for all 32 teeth (in fact, if you count wisdom teeth, less than 15% of Americans keep all their teeth). Parents seem relieved when I offer the option of an expander in the upper arch as an alternative to extractions. Can expanders also be used in the lower arch? The anatomic feature in the upper arch that allows for the use of palatal expanders is the mid-palatal suture. In children younger…

Do Braces Make the Roots of Your Teeth Shorter?

Posted by Dr. Jorgensen on March 23rd, 2013

I was recently asked to be an expert witness against another orthodontist in my community that had “caused” some root shortening (root resorption) in one of his patients. Could something that orthodontist did actually have caused the roots to get shorter? How serious is root resorption? Can it be prevented or treated? Braces work by creating little cramps or “Charlie Horses” around each tooth. The enzymes that are summoned by orthodontic forces cause old bone to dissolve where there is pressure and new bone to be formed where there is a void. These responses are normal and are the basis…

My Orthodontic Expander Made a Huge Gap Between My Teeth

Posted by Dr. Jorgensen on January 25th, 2013

Over the past couple of decades there has been a shift in orthodontics from extracting teeth to expanding the arches when there is crowding present. Expanders work great, but there are some side effects that catch parents by surprise. One of them is the appearance and disappearance of a gap between the front teeth. The palate or roof of the mouth is made up of two bones joined together down the center by a junction called a suture. When a patient is young, this suture is made up of stretchable cartilage that is the area where growth takes place (a…

What is the Purpose of an Orthodontic Observation or Recall Appointment?

Posted by Dr. Jorgensen on December 17th, 2012

Moms and dads have busy schedules. Picking their children up from school and taking them to the orthodontist is no small task. Sometimes the appointments are very short and seemingly meaningless. One of these appointments is the observation or recall visit. These appointments are usually less than 15 minutes and many wonder if they are necessary at all. Recall or observation appointments are very important, and here’s why… Observation or recall visits are scheduled for orthodontic patients who are either not yet quite ready for braces or have had an interceptive phase of treatment and are waiting for their remaining…

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