John B Harrison DDS,MSC

Orthodontist

7499 MLK Jr, Street N., 168 - 14th St. W. Saint Petersburg, Largo FL, 33702,33770 Show map

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About

Dr. John Harrison practices Orthodontics in Saint Petersburg and Largo, FL. He has been active in organized dentistry serving in leadership roles in County, State, and National Dental Associations and in dental education serving as a courtesy professor of orthodontics at the University of Florida General Practice Residency Program since its inception in 1991. (28 years of teaching at the post graduate level) He is a long time active member of the prestigious Seattle Study Club now changed to the Prosthetic Restorative Study Club of St. Petersburg. He obtained a Masters Degree in Orthodontics from the University of North Carolina and is an active member of the Americal Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, experienced in oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea and snoring.He has been honored with Distinguished Service Awards from Dental Associations and Rotary for leadership roles.Dr.Harrison believes that our greatest threat to health is sleep deprivation at all ages an the poor dietary haabits of the Standard American Diet -SAD

Education and Training

Vanderbilt University AB 1960

Emory School of Dentistry DDS 1964

University of North Carolina MSc 1966

Provider Details

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John B Harrison DDS,MSC

John B Harrison DDS,MSC's Expert Contributions

My Answers

Can you get braces with missing teeth?
Missing teeth are common and braces help close or open space for replacement if needed, same goes for extra teeth which are usually removed so a proper bite can be achieved. READ MORE
Can an orthodontist provide Invisalign?
In my biased opinion, orthodontist should be consulted about the best method or technique to correct dental/facial disharmony. There is a lot more than alignment of teeth to consider for long term improvement. You have the right to get a 2nd or 3rd opinion. The problem is that many dentist provide Invisalign as the only method and it works with variable results depending on many factors. Experienced orthodontists are in the best position to recognize and explain the differences and potential outcome of Invisalign treatment. No system is perfect and people respond differently. I think you will know more and make a better decision if you consult an orthodontist regardless of who does the actual treatment. I like to help general dentists with their Invisalign case if problems aren't resolving. A dentist and orthodontist working together is always a good match and best for you. READ MORE
Will my teeth be yellow after braces?
Teeth can stain more easily with braces, but after removal their color should be the same as before unless poor oral hygiene has caused white spot decalcification marks where the bracket was attached to the tooth. We protect the tooth surface with a sealant to prevent white spot lesions from occurring. Teeth can be whitened in color after braces it you want, but unless you are a smoker, your teeth won't change color with braces. READ MORE
How do dental orthopedics help your teeth?
Dental orthopedics should mean normalizing upper and lower jaw relationships in all 3 dimensions, transverse, vertical, and horizontal, with forces that are higher than we use to move teeth. The forces need to alter bone at growth sites. Extra oral appliances such as headgears that can move the upper jaw forward or back to normal and intra oral appliances such as rapid palatal expanders widen the upper jaw to its normal width. Some oral appliance are thought to help the mandible grow more forward which may or may not happen. We have given up on trying to retard the excessive forward growth of the lower jaw as a risk of harm to the delicate mandibular joints with the skull. With non growing patients, only surgery can normalize the proper relationship of the two jaws with the skull, which is an orthopedic procedure. Unless jaw relationships are normal, the dental fit of teeth are necessarily compromised. Our profession is orthodontics and dental/facial orthopedics, but we do not do surgical procedures on the jaws. Oral surgeons are trained and skilled in providing that important service. READ MORE
How long do braces take for crowded teeth?
Even the best estimate by the best orthodontist is an educated guess, because it depends on so many factors: the size of teeth and space available on the bone housing, whether extractions or expansion is necessary, your health and cooperation, medications taken, oral health, habits like grinding or clenching. To do a typical case well usually takes 14 - 22 months. An orthodontist who physically examines your mouth is better able to give you the best information. READ MORE
How can I tighten my retainer at home?
Please don't attempt! You need special pliers and exacting technique to adjust retainers plus knowledge of how much force each tooth needs to hold in place. Adjusting retainers is a learned professional skill. READ MORE
How do I stop my teeth from shifting without a retainer?
I don't want anyone to adopt this solution- death will stop teeth from shifting. The body is always changing and teeth are in a dynamic hostile environment. Change is inevitable. If you want your teeth to remain ideal retainers are necessary, but even so a retainer can hold teeth in a non-biological position over time and sometimes a shift in teeth is a self protecting natural event and it is important to know the difference and get expert advice about retention. READ MORE
What's the shortest time to have Invisalign?
That depends on how many aligner trays are needed to correct the problem with understanding that additional trays may be needed for refinement. The standard is to change the tray every week, so 52 trays in either upper or lower would be a year. READ MORE
Do braces move your teeth every day?
There may be times when all teeth are moving each day and other times when only select teeth are moving and the other teeth act as anchors without moving. It also depends on the type of appliance and how each patient cooperates with instructions. You should see changes within one or two months. READ MORE
Can a tight retainer damage your teeth?
If a retainer is a clear aligner tray it should be tight and cannot be adjusted but in time should not be uncomfortable. A hard plastic with a wire bow and wire clasps can be adjusted to be more comfortable but neither one will damage your teeth. READ MORE
Should I wear my retainer if it hurts?
You need to get your retainer adjusted so it does not hurt. You may have gone a few days without wearing it because it should not have been uncomfortable when you first got it. By all means go back and let your orthodontist make any necessary adjustment or you will see your teeth shifting. Retention is the most important part of your treatment. READ MORE
Can you straighten your teeth if you have implants?
We are seeing more and more people who have implants. Normally we are able to work along with implants already placed and many times we open space up for implants. So yes we can figure out a way, even if an implant might be in the way which can happen occasionally. READ MORE
When can I stop wearing my retainers?
First, I do not know how long you have worn retainers nor do I know how difficult your original ortho problem was. Your orthodontist should help you decide if possible. otherwise you can gradually reduce the time and see if any changes occur. The safest answer is long term retention is advisable because changes will occur over time which may not be to your liking. Adult patients need longer retention than children , but everyone should anticipate a minimum of 5 years or more. Going without them for one week will prove if you still nee them because the retainer will be a bit uncomfortable when tried in again after a short lay off. Some situations require life time retention if you want the teeth to stay in place. Minor changes do not mean treatment failed in any way because the body changes over time and so do teeth. As we age some of the changes are for the better and necessary for stress free equilibrium that result from changes in muscle tone and muscle balance. READ MORE
Can you get braces on just your front teeth?
Please have a exam by an orthodontist to answer your question. How to you think the front teeth can be aligned without the support from the back teeth as anchorage? Even a clear aligner needs the support of the entire arch to align 2, 4 or 6 front teeth. Sometimes a simple movement of space closure can only involve the front teeth, but like everything, it depends on the specific situation. Learn what you need to know from an expert who can evaluate the problem for you and give you advice. READ MORE
What happens if your teeth move after having braces?
Without long term retention, maybe lifetime, your teeth will change, no doubt about it. Your entire body changes over time and teeth are no exception, but that does not mean your orthodontic treatment failed or was not done correctly. Some results are more stable than others, but you cannot be careless with long term monitoring. You are responsible to preserve the investment you made to improve yourself. READ MORE
Why do I have gum pain after braces?
That should be temporary as gums heal from some of the insults gums receive from oral hygiene problems. You should have a good cleaning after braces are removed just for that reason. Check with your dentist or orthodontist and clear the problem up. READ MORE
Do you need braces to fix a few teeth?
Even to fix one tooth, room has to be made for it to be repositioned, therefore all teeth have to adjust plus doing this is likely to change the bite which also must be adjusted. The main thing for the orthodontist is to learn why a few teeth need "fixing" and solve the problem so that it does not happen again. DIY orthodontics has no understanding of why, when, where or how, so get the proper information form an expert. READ MORE
How long does it take to get fitted for Invisalign?
After impressions have been completed, either manual or virtual, the time interval depends on how many corrections are communicated to the manufacturer. Normally, you should get the aligner trays in about 3 weeks READ MORE
Can you sleep with rubber bands on your braces?
Unless otherwise directed, elastics should be worn 24/7 and night time is very important because much happens during sleep that slows down during the day. READ MORE
How do you heal a cut in your mouth from braces?
1st call your orthodontist for an SOS appointment and eliminate the cause of the cut. 2nd cover the pokie with wax or cotton so nothing irritates tissue. 3rd the mouth heals quickly without any medication unless it is an ulcer that responds to a steroid ointment. Warn salt water rinse is an old stand by that may help, but do #1. READ MORE