Laurance Jerrold D.D.S.

Orthodontist

150 55th St Dental Dept. Brooklyn NY, 11220 Show map

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About

Dr. Laurance Jerrold practices Orthodontics in Brooklyn, NY. Comprehensive orthodontic treatment includes metal wires that are inserted into orthodontic brackets, which can be made from stainless steel or a more aesthetic ceramic material. The wires interact with the brackets to move teeth into desired positions. Being advanced in the field, Dr. Jerrold may also use Invisalign or other aligner trays that have been designed to align a patients? smile. As an orthodontist, Dr. Jerrold must recognize various characteristics of a malocclusion or dentofacial deformity, define the nature of the problem, including the etiology if possible, and design a treatment strategy based on the specific needs and desires of the patient.

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Laurance Jerrold D.D.S.

Laurance Jerrold D.D.S.'s Expert Contributions

My Answers

Is removing teeth necessary for braces?
If the amount of crowding that you presented with exceeds the ability to expand the arch size successfully, extractions are often indicated. Each case is different. It all depends on the intital problem and the goals to be achieved. READ MORE
Are braces supposed to make your teeth feel tight?
When all of the teeth are “wired together” they may indeed feel tight however in reality, as they are moving, the ligaments holding them to the jaw are actually being stretched and the teeth are therefore slightly looser. This feeling of tightness usually dissipates a few days after each adjustment. READ MORE
Can braces damage your teeth?
Orthodontic treatment carries with it some risks. The three most common are root resorption, periodontal breakdown, and demineralization of enamel. The first, root resorption, is very common and happens in most orthodontic cases. Simply put, the tips of the roots of some of the teeth shrink. Most commonly the amount of root loss is only a millimeter or two and is of no clinical significance and carries no long term negative consequences. However, in rare cases, the amount of root loss can be severe and in even rarer situations can lead to tooth loss. Both are these are very uncommon. The second is periodontal breakdown. Sometimes the supporting hard and soft tissues, the bone that holds your teeth and the overlying gums can become less supportive due to loss of these tissues. This occurs because of the type of treatment and because of poor hygiene practices on the part of the patient. Once again, slight loss of inter-crestal bone and very mild shrinkage of the gum tissues is common but it is usually very minimal and once again has no negative effects in the long term. However, once again, in just the wrong patient whose home hygiene practices are poor, this breakdown can become severe. Finally, demineralization, or white spot lesions, are also a common occurrence and is also most often associated with poor oral hygiene. If severe, and most cases are not, it can lead to decay and the need for fillings, facings or crowns after treatment is completed. While this may seem like a lot to be concerned about, in reality these are occurrences which happen with relative frequency but almost always are very minor in nature and should not dissuade anyone from receiving the benefits that orthodontic treatment has to offer. The good news is that it easy to see all of these potential negatives as they are developing and therefore address them all before they become problematic. Your doctor should be monitoring your oral health status throughout treatment. READ MORE
Do braces permanently straighten teeth?
No, nothing in life is permanent. When you are 40 you will not look the same as you do now at 20 and when you are 60 you will have changed again. ALL tissues change with the aging process. As the muscles of our face change in tonicity, our dental apparatus changes through use over time, our periodontal supporting status weakens over time and there are minimal amounts of skeletal and soft tissue growth that occur, all of this causes the positions of teeth to change over time. The majority of the orthodontic correction achieved should be relatively stable, depending upon the particular aspects of your orthodontic problem, and the method by which it was treated, to expect your teeth to remain permanently straight is unrealistic. However, there are methods by which we can minimize any changes over the course of time. I am referring to lifetime retention. There are various types of retainers that can be permanently affixed to the teeth to prevent them from moving. You should speak to your orthodontist about this. READ MORE
Is Invisalign safe for children?
The general answer would be a qualified yes. Understand that at that age your son may not have all of his permanent teeth so clear aligner therapy might be a bit more complicated. It also depends on the specifics of his particular problem. Clear aligners have their plusses and minuses depending upon the tooth movement that need to be done. You orthodontist should be able to guide you. READ MORE
How do I keep my teeth clean with braces?
There is a lot of research on which toothbrush is best for braces but the bottom line is that as long as any type is used properly it can do the job. The key is to concentrate on the area between the brace and the gum tissue. Make sure to brush everywhere for a total of 2 minutes but pay particular attention to the areas noted above. Any Fluoride toothpaste is fine. At least 2X/day and hopefully a brushing or good rinse after your midday meal. READ MORE
Do braces affect your face shape?
A lot depends on your particular problem but more importantly on the treatment plan. Some patients may experience very mild profile changes depending upon the treatment plan and the way the teeth are moved. One can also experience sight vertical changes in facial height again depending upon how the teeth are being moved. Generally any facial changes are very small and hardly noticeable. The theory behind all of it is that the teeth support the lips and if the teeth are moved a great distance forward or backward; and the patient has a certain type of facial musculature some changes might occur. You orthodontist should be able to explain this. READ MORE
How do braces differ for adults?
They really shouldn’t. The patient (child or adult) has a particular orthodontic problem. Usually there are several different ways to address the problem (child or adult). There are different types of “braces” that can be used (many have pluses or minuses depending on the orthodontic problem – again child or adult is irrelevant). You orthodontist should inform you of what your problem is, why he/she is recommending treatment, the different ways it can be treated, the good, bad, etc associated with each way, how long it should take, how much it will cost, and what kind of results (limitations or not) you should expect. The only real difference is that kids are still growing while adults are not and that may influence methods of treatment and exoectations. READ MORE
Which straightens your teeth better?
It depends on your particular problem. Invisalign has some limitations regarding certain types of tooth movement that traditional braces don’t. Your orthodontist can advise you as to the best appliance for the best result READ MORE
Do I have to wear a retainer forever?
It depends on what your original problem was and what result was achieved. Many orthodontists view retention as a lifetime responsibility. Many use permanent or fixed retainers. Other try to wean the patient down to the least amount of time necessary to maintain the desired result. It’s really a philosophical issue that should be discussed with your orthodontist. READ MORE
How long do people typically wear braces?
It depends on your particular problem. Some types of cases can be completed in as little as 6-9 months while other can run 2-3 years. You doctor should be able to give you a pretty accurate estimate. READ MORE
What can't I eat with braces?
The easiest way to remember what foods to avoid is “if it makes noise when you chew” stay away from it. Hard foods can break off braces and bend wires so hare crunchy foods should try to be avoided. READ MORE
How long will my teeth be sore after having braces put on?
Soreness usually lasts 2-3 days and then slowly decreases back to normal by day 5-7. READ MORE
How long do your teeth feel sore after getting braces?
After the initial insertion of appliances the soreness usually lasts for up to about 3 days decreasing slowly over the period of about a week. After this, the only reason for soreness is if there is "hyper occlusion which can happen depending on a patient's particular problem. I would suggest that you return to your orthodontist if the soreness persists. Laurance Jerrold DDS, JD, ABO READ MORE
How to recover from getting braces?
Discomfort usually lasts for about 3 days and then tapers down over the next 3 days. If you are experiencing discomfort after 1 week, you should return to your doctor and let him evaluate the situation. Laurance Jerrold DDS, JD, ABO READ MORE
Which type of braces are the best?
The “Gold Standard” are tiny metal brackets that bond to the surface of each tooth. There are many bracket “systems” out there all of which have their plusses and minuses. The most widely used systems employ an MBT or a Roth prescription and use a modestly wide arch form. Other than that, any system will do. READ MORE
Will my orthodontist know that I haven't worn my retainer for a week?
Usually 1 week won’t matter – more than that… READ MORE
How can I quickly close the gaps in my teeth?
Without seeing you or any diagnostic materials, it's tough to say, but as a general rule, if the spacing is not too bad and it is not poorly distributed, the quickest way is through restorative dentistry, not orthodontics. This can be done with build-ups, veneers, crowns, etc. READ MORE
Smile direct club or Invisalign?
Invisalign. At least you are being followed by a doctor instead of doing it yourself. READ MORE
What should I do if my braces are too tight?
Generally, patient complaints about tightness of the braces are due to the wire size being little too big. This occasionally happens, even to the best of us. You probably need the wire downgraded to the next lower size. This discomfort usually disappears within 48-72 hours. If you can wait that long the discomfort should diminish. If you don’t want to wait it out, return to your orthodontist for a wire adjustment. READ MORE