The Jorgensen Orthodontics Blog

Can Functional Orthodontic Appliances Really Grow Jaws?

Posted by Dr. Jorgensen on March 27th, 2017

One of the most common orthodontic problems that we encounter in new patients is a small lower jaw. This may manifest itself as an overbite, a deep bite, or crowding (in either jaw). Wouldn’t it be great if we had some way to encourage the jaws to grow in the amount and direction needed to correct these issues? This has been the dream of orthodontists and their patients for over 100 years. Is there really a way to change the size a jaw without surgery? Can functional appliances actually “grow” the jaws? Functional appliances are so named because they are…

Are You Too Old for Orthodontic Braces?

Posted by Dr. Jorgensen on February 27th, 2017

When most people think of braces, they usually think of teenagers. The ideal age to get orthodontic treatment is usually after the 12-year-molars have erupted and the last of the baby teeth are gone. As you can tell from several of my other posts about two-phase treatment, I believe in providing an interceptive phase of treatment in 7 and 8-year-olds if they have complex crowding, crossbites, excessive overbites, or underbites. But what about at the other end of the spectrum. How old is too old? Why would someone get braces later in life? And what are the differences in treatment…

What Are Orthodontic Elastics (Rubber Bands) And How Do They Work?

Posted by Dr. Jorgensen on January 29th, 2017

One of the most common “adjuncts” or additional tools that orthodontists use to straighten your teeth are orthodontic elastics or rubber bands. Why are they used? How do they work? How many hours do you need to wear them? Braces and aligners are both effective ways of aligning your teeth. Braces are devices glued onto the teeth (either on the inside or outside) that move the teeth via forces produced by wires that span from tooth to tooth. Aligners (most commonly Invisalign) move teeth using a series of clear plastic shells that snap over the teeth and produce force by…

What is Invisalign and How Does It Move Teeth (Part 2)?

Posted by Dr. Jorgensen on December 30th, 2016

(This is Part 2 of a 2-part Invisalign post. Part 1 of this article discussed the design and manufacturing of Invisalign aligners.) After your Invisalign aligners have been designed by your orthodontist and manufactured by Align Technology, the entire set is shipped to your doctor’s office. There is more to achieving a successful result however than merely handing a box full of plastic shells to a patient. If that were not the case, Align would merely ship the aligners directly to the patient and cut out the “middleman.” There are three additional procedures provided by your orthodontist at the delivery…

What is Invisalign and How Does It Move Teeth (Part 1)?

Posted by Dr. Jorgensen on December 4th, 2016

Before 1997, practically the only way to straighten the teeth was with braces. While colored rubber bands made kids a little more excited about having treatment, adults were less enthusiastic, even if the braces were tooth colored or attached on the inside of the teeth. In 1997, a company called Align Technology introduced a technique for moving teeth using a series of customized clear aligners they called Invisalign. Invisalign is an orthodontic system comprised of a series clear plastic shells that fit tightly around the teeth. Picture the thermoformed plastic packaging surrounding most items you purchase at retail stores. This…

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