Ranking first in her dental school class, Dr. Sotomayor earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Columbia University College of Dental Medicine in 2009. During her four years of dental school, she was honored with the Columbia University Dean’s Scholarship, American Dental Association Dental Student Scholarship, and New York State Dental Foundation Dean’s Award for academic accomplishment and committed service to underserved populations

Upon graduation from dental school, Dr. Sotomayor was inducted into Omicron Kappa Upsilon (the National Dental Honor Society) and received the Alpha Omega Award for Highest Academic Achievement, Delta Dental Student Leadership Award, American Association of Orthodontists Award, American Association of Oral Biologists Award, American Academy of Craniofacial Pain Award, and Divisional Excellence Award in Oral Radiology

Continuing her education in the Division of Orthodontics at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, Dr. Sotomayor served as class president for the duration of her three-year residency and earned a Master of Science degree and Certificate in Orthodontics in 2012. She became a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics in 2013, having successfully completed rigorous written and clinical examinations to achieve board certification

Dr. Sotomayor is an active member of the American Association of Orthodontists, Northeastern Society of Orthodontists, New York State Society of Orthodontists, American Dental Association, New York State Dental Association, and Nassau County Dental Society. She regularly attends meetings and continuing education courses to keep current on the latest advances in her field

My focus is giving each and every patient my dedicated and individualized care. With that in mind, I personally place every orthodontic bracket, wire, and Invisalign attachment rather than assigning some of these tasks to assistants. Spending this amount of chairside time with my patients allows me to advance their progress and provide consistent, quality treatment and results.

About Dr. Laura C. Sotomayor, DDS, MS Dr. Sotomayor is a Board Certified Orthodontist. She is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, College of Diplomates of the American Board of Orthodontics, and American Dental Association

Whether you’re being treated with traditional braces or Invisalign®, it’s especially important to wear orthodontic elastics as directed to achieve the optimal result. Elastics guide teeth and jaw growth in favorable directions – in doing this, they help correct bite problems, prevent tooth wear, and improve profile balance

Always follow the instructions of your orthodontist regarding the type/orientation of elastics and number of hours of elastics wear required per day. Wearing elastics too few hours each day prolongs orthodontic treatment time and can ultimately compromise treatment results

Locust Valley Fire DepartmentGlen Cove Fire DepartmentBayville Fire DepartmentOyster Bay Fire DepartmentSea Cliff Fire DepartmentGlenwood Landing & East Norwich Fire DepartmentsSyosset & Roslyn Fire Departments

We had a great time cheering on the Locust Valley Fire Department 125th Anniversary Parade as it passed by our office! It was a journey through past and present with antique and in-service fire trucks on display from all our local fire departments, with Glen Cove and Bayville stations second and third in the parade lineup

The fellowship among our battalion of firefighters was evident as each company marched in uniform and received much deserved recognition and appreciation. Oyster Bay marched fourth in the parade line, followed by Syosset, Roslyn, East Norwich, Sea Cliff, and Glenwood Landing

FALSE! Mouthguards should always be worn during sports and other recreational activities to help prevent injuries to the mouth and face. In fact, it’s especially important to wear mouthguards during orthodontic treatment because brackets, wires, and orthodontic appliances can potentially cause damage to the soft tissues (cheeks and lips) on heavy contact

Conventional boil and bite mouthguards are often not recommended by orthodontists because they can break brackets if not molded properly; in addition, these mouthguards must be refit or replaced during treatment as the teeth and dental arches are aligned. Instead, opt for mouthguards made specifically for orthodontic patients these typically have an inner channel that comfortably adapts to the teeth and braces

Such an appropriate fortune in support of Give Kids a Smile! Throughout February, underserved children all over the country will benefit from free dental education, screening, and services as part of the program

The goal of these events is to increase oral health awareness. To prevent dental problems like tooth decay and gum disease, always remember to brush for 2 minutes at least 2 times a day, floss once a day, and avoid frequent snacking on sugary and acidic foods and drinks

It’s important to clean Invisalign® aligners regularly to keep them crystal clear and free of bacteria and staining that can otherwise build up on the aligner surface. We recommend brushing aligners with soap and water at least twice a day

First, set aside a toothbrush that will be used only to clean aligners. Use a separate toothbrush for brushing teeth. Work the soap and water into a lather while scrubbing the inside and outside aligner surfaces. Afterwards, be sure to rinse the aligners thoroughly with water

The best time to brush aligners is in the morning and evening after tooth brushing and flossing is complete. This way, clean aligner trays are placed on clean, brushed teeth. If aligners are reinserted into the mouth without first being cleaned, plaque and bacteria are held closely against clean teeth. This can weaken the enamel and contribute to stains and cavities

In the spirit of Thanksgiving and National American Indian Heritage Month, Garvies Point Museum in Glen Cove honors our local history and culture with their annual Native American Feast. Featured events include pottery making, spear throwing, face painting, nature trail hiking, open fire building/cooking, and authentic Native American food tasting

Early colonists in the 17th century purchased land now known as the Town of Oyster Bay from the Matinecock Indians, whose territory once spanned over much of Long Island’s North Shore. Our neighboring village of Matinecock, named for its tribe, means “place to hunt” — many other Long Island towns have historic Native American names

If you’re enjoying your Thanksgiving meal wearing braces this year, be sure not to chew directly on turkey legs or wings, as the bones can break braces (brackets and wires). It’s always best to cut meat off bones and avoid hard and sticky foods to help prevent orthodontic emergencies. Wishing everyone a great Thanksgiving!

When it comes to Halloween treats, did you know that not all candies are created equal for dental health? Keeping sweets from staying stuck on your teeth is a key to preventing cavities this is especially important when wearing braces because sticky sugars have many more places to hide!

Sticky and gummy candies can get trapped between teeth or around orthodontic brackets and bands, giving the bacteria in dental plaque more time to feed on sugar and make acids that contribute to cavities. Sour candies are some of the worst offenders because they’re acidic all on their own, causing a drop in the oral pH level and weakening tooth enamel

In honor of Oyster Bay’s annual Oyster Festival (pictured above), let’s take a closer look at oysters and their health benefits. Thank you to the Oyster Bay Rotary Club for all its efforts in bringing this popular Festival to our community each year!

Rich in calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, oysters are a dental superfood, capable of strengthening tooth enamel and bone density. Oysters also contain high levels of essential nutrients like zinc, vitamin A, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids. Considering all these features, oysters are definitely on the approved foods list for orthodontics!

For those who don’t enjoy oysters, milk, cheese, and yogurt are great sources of calcium, meat, poultry, fish, and eggs provide needed protein, and fruits and vegetables add dietary fiber. All of these foods are great for dental health and orthodontist recommended!

Well aligned teeth and bites are beneficial in many ways. Straight teeth look nice, are easier keep clean, and are less likely to develop cavities or gum and bone tissue problems like gingival recession and periodontal pockets. Teeth that fit together properly allow for optimal biting, chewing, swallowing, and speaking, as well as facial balance and symmetry. Improper bites can cause tooth wear/injury, excess stress on gum and bone tissue, and uneven jaw growth in children and adolescents

Children: All children should have their first evaluation by an orthodontist at age 7 to check for damaging problems like protruding teeth, crossbites, and open bites. These conditions can and should be corrected at this stage to protect the teeth and influence growth in a positive way

Adults: It’s never too late for adult treatment! In addition to addressing esthetic concerns and bettering overall dental health, orthodontic treatment can also aid the dentist in creating/maintaining the most functional, hygienic, and cosmetic restorations

Orthodontists have completed 3 additional years of residency training, beyond the 4 required years of dental school, to become the most qualified specialists in recommending and delivering the best course of orthodontic treatment for every patient

In addition to addressing tooth alignment and esthetic concerns, orthodontic treatment corrects improper bites that can otherwise cause tooth wear/injury, excess stress on gum and bone tissues, and uneven jaw growth in children and adolescents