The Jorgensen Orthodontics Blog

What are Temporary Anchorage Devices (TAD’s)?

Posted by Dr. Jorgensen on June 12th, 2013

Sir Isaac Newton’s third law of motion states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Imagine two teams having a tug-of-war. Even though one group may be bigger or stronger, the minute there is force placed on the rope to pull one group over the line, there is an equal and opposite force acting upon the group doing the pulling. Although this can be fun at a church picnic, this third law of motion creates some challenges during orthodontic treatment. When a patient has an overbite for example, it is common to remove some teeth and…

When Do I Get My Braces Off?

Posted by Dr. Jorgensen on May 19th, 2013

The most common question I get as an orthodontist is “When do I get my braces off?” Although treatment is different for every patient, there are some basic objectives and steps of treatment that are similar for the majority of patients. If you have braces and want to know how you are progressing, read on… In my office there are three distinct phases of treatment through which every patient must pass. Although their order may be switched or there may be some overlap between them, the three phases include resolving the crowding/spacing, aligning the teeth, and correcting the bite. In…

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…

meet orthodontist Greg Jorgensen of Albuquerque NM

why choose our Rio Rancho NM orthodontic office

Schedule an appointment with our talented orthodontist online