John B Harrison DDS,MSC

Orthodontist

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

About
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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

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
Are crowns or veneers better for front teeth?
Trust your dentist for the best answer. It depends on the condition o the teeth to crown or veneer. veneers are more conservative in preserving tooth structure but are more subject to fracture if subject to abuse. Crowns are harder on opposing natural teeth regarding wear. Veneers need night time protection with a mouth guard to prevent fracture from grinding or clenching. READ MORE
How do you brush correctly with braces?
Watch a video on YouTube. READ MORE
Can crowns be used on front teeth?
A crown can be placed on any tooth. Very common on upper front teeth. READ MORE
Can you straighten teeth without braces?
Yes, if you use clear aligner trays or a simple movement can be made with a retainer if there is adequate space which often requires sanding between teeth (slenderizing) so that alignment is possible. Realize that the entire tooth crown and root have to be in proper place and relationship to other teeth. Not always as simple as it sounds. READ MORE
How long will braces take to fix one tooth?
It depends on which tooth and how much it is displaced from its normal position and what interference it has to overcome. It is possible that all the teeth in that arch need to move some to get one tooth in place. Your orthodontist will give you a better answer. READ MORE
How long do you keep your teeth white with braces?
Braces will attract stains, yellow or brown, that you want removed by regular cleanings. Ask your orthodontist for pumice cups that we clean teeth with and use one once/month with your brush to remove any discoloration. Your teeth will look whiter once braces are removed because brackets block the translucency of teeth. They just won't look as white while wearing braces, but you will be happy with the final result READ MORE
Is it normal to leave Invisalign in all the time?
No, you need some time out for eating and cleaning your mouth and the appliance. 22 hours of active wear is what has been suggested. Also you do not want to drink sweet,r acidic or milk liquids with trays in place. READ MORE
Do clear aligners hurt?
Pain perception is very subjective and different person to person but yes, most people will have minimal discomfort with any type of tooth movement. Worn correctly you will quickly adjust to the tension. Don't worry about hurting, join the crowd wearing aligners. READ MORE
Do braces change how you talk?
Maybe for a very short time, hopefully a few hours if you are wearing clear tray aligners. Don't think braces are a speech handicap, they are not and you will get used to any effect even if you have to practice out loud with a few difficult words. Remember the great ancient Greek orator who practiced speaking with stones in his mouth to improve the quality of his speech. READ MORE
Can you use mouthwash while wearing Invisalign?
You can rinse with mouthwash with the trays removed, but do not clean or soak your trays with mouthwash- soap and water with a tooth brush will do fine. You do not want trays to absorb mouthwash. READ MORE
Can teeth be sensitive to braces?
It is a rare occurrence, but some might be allergic to the metal in braces or even the plastic components in clear tray aligners, There are solutions if this were to happen. For me it has happened 2 times in 50 years, so I would not worry about it happening. READ MORE
Can retainers be used instead of braces?
Remember what the word "retainer" means (hold in place), however, some minor tooth movements can be made with either clear tray retainers or hard plastic with wire clasps and retainer wire across the front teeth with finger springs in back of the teeth to be moved. This is very limited and not a bite correction. Shortcuts to accurate tooth positioning usually don't work out well. Do the right thing the right way. It all depends on what you are trying to accomplish and what will make that happen. READ MORE
Do you get hardened plaque under your braces?
People differ in their susceptibility to accumulating plaque regardless of braces, however, braces add to the problem. Oral hygiene is so important for good tooth movement so additional cleanings may be necessary with braces. With proper care, you have nothing to worry about. You will have to learn how to clean under your braces and take extra time. READ MORE
What are the best clear aligners?
There is a lot of competition for that answer, and the best for one patient may not be the best for another. Some are more expensive than others, but are able to make more complex movements, so it depends on what is required of the aligner and the material it is made of. Your orthodontist will help you decide. Beware of DIY aligners! READ MORE
How much does it cost to get braces on the inside of your teeth?
Easily $1000 more than on the outside since it is a much more difficult technique and requires different instruments plus a learning curve for the orthodontist to be well trained. For some in professional careers, it is worth the additional fee. Many orthodontists do not want to add this option, so you will need to find one with experience. READ MORE
Can teeth be straightened with a retainer?
Remember, the word "retainer" means "to retain," however, minor movements of selected teeth can be made with a retainer that need to be retained after minor movement. READ MORE
How to ease pain from a loose bracket?
Now that orthodontic offices are opening, you need to call your orthodontist and get the loose bracket rebonded ASAP. I am at a loss to explain why it is causing pain if it is loose but still retained on the arch wire unless it has spun around so that it is on the outside of the arch wire and irritating your mouth, if so spin in around so it is back facing the tooth and inside the arch wire. Cover anything poking with wax or cotton. READ MORE
Can an overbite be corrected in adults?
Much improved is a better answer than corrected because, without diagnostic information about the amount of discrepancy between the upper jaw and the lower jaw, there is no way of knowing the limits and boundaries of tooth movement. Severe overbites in adults can only be corrected ideally with jaw surgery. READ MORE
Can I drink through a straw with braces?
You should have no problem drinking through a straw with braces READ MORE