Dental Implants

At Evans Dental Care, we have restored many smiles saved by single-tooth dental implants.  Implants are a permanent restorative option for teeth that are missing or have been extracted.  They look and feel like natural teeth, and are the most permanent and efficient means of replacing lost teeth.

An implant is placed over a series of appointments because of the healing time required.  Implants are titanium screws inserted through an incision in the gum. Over a period of 3-6 months, the jaw bone heals around the implant to become a solid, stable base for the new tooth. During this time a patient is fitted with a temporary crown, and a custom crown is created to match their smile perfectly.

After the jaw bone and gums have healed appropriately, the custom crown is placed in a second minor procedure.  The doctor may need to expose the head of the implant by removing some gum tissue, and the crown is screwed to the top of the implant.  When this is complete the tooth looks like part of the natural smile, and with proper care will last for decades!

To learn more about single-tooth implants and all the services we provide, visit www.evansdentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment at Evans Dental Care in Williamsburg, VA, call 757-349-8877.

Smoking with Sleep Apnea

Smoking will exacerbate any respiratory condition, and it is proven to cause snoring and lead to obstructive sleep apnea.  Patients struggling with sleep apnea should come see us at Evans Dental Care for evaluation. We can help patients find relief from sleep apnea, but quitting smoking is up to you!

Smoking causes upper airway inflammation, meaning the swelling causes the airway to narrow and disrupts the flow of air to the nasal passage and throat.  This causes snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.  Cigarettes are highly addictive, and some smokers seek treatment for sleep apnea like a snore guard or CPAP machine, but continue to smoke. Smoking with sleep apnea not only puts more stress on the heart every day, but negates any treatment a sleep apnea patient is undergoing.

Habitual smokers may feel relaxed by one last cigarette for the day, but it actually creates more complications for restful sleep. Smokers can experience nicotine withdrawal overnight, causing more waking up and restlessness.  Quitting smoking cold turkey is very difficult, but even lessening the amount of cigarettes or avoiding smoking at nighttime can help you achieve more restful sleep.  Most smokers cannot quit on their own or on their first attempt, so don’t get discouraged!

To learn more about sleep apnea and the treatments we provide, visit www.evansdentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment at Evans Dental Care in Williamsburg, VA, call 757-349-8877.

Healthy Teeth for the Holidays

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and it is an infamous holiday for an abundance of food choices, many of which are not particularly healthy for your waistline or your teeth. Foods that contain sugars of any kind can contribute to tooth decay and this might be a problem when it comes time to devour pumpkin pie and candied yams. Fortunately, at Evans Dental Care we have some foods to recommend so that you can have a tooth-friendly Thanksgiving. 

For appetizers, put out plates of cheese and mixed nuts for guests to snack on while dinner is being prepared. Cheese is great for teeth because it contains strength-building calcium. Casein, a protein found in milk products, fortifies the surfaces of teeth to help prevent cavities. For the main course, green beans are often served as a side dish. This year, rinse your green beans in sesame oil. Rinsing with sesame oil in place of mouthwash has been shown to reduce the effects of plaque and even, in some cases, to reverse the effects of gingivitis.

If you have questions or concerns regarding oral care or dental hygiene, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.evansdentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment at Evans Dental Care in Williamsburg, VA, call 757-349-8877.

Oral Pathology

The oral cavity consists of several components in addition to the teeth, including gingiva (gums), tongue, palate, cheeks, lips, and floor of the mouth. Mouth cancer refers to cancer that develops in any of the parts that make up the oral cavity.  At Evans Dental Care, the goal of oral pathology is to diagnose and manage patients with salivary gland and mucosal diseases, diseases of the jaw bones, and head and neck pain syndromes where the primary treatment method is nonsurgical.

This facet of dentistry identifies and treats diseases that affect the mouth and maxillofacial region. Diagnosis can occur with microscopic, radiographic, biochemical and an in-office exam. An oral pathology also offers biopsy services for dentists and provides diagnoses based on those findings. During a biopsy, a tissue sample is removed to be tested. Some diseases that an oral pathology can diagnose include mouth and throat cancer, ulcers, mumps, infections, and salivary gland issues.

If you have questions or concerns regarding preventive dental care or oral cancer screening, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.evansdentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment at Evans Dental Care in Williamsburg, VA, call 757-349-8877.

Dental Bridges

Dental bridges literally bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth. Bridges can restore your smile, restore the ability to properly chew and speak, maintain the shape of your face, distribute the forces in your bite properly by replacing missing teeth and prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position. At Evans Dental Care, Dr. Peter S. Evans utilizes dental bridges to provide patients with the winning smile that they have always wanted.

A dental bridge is made up of two crowns one on each tooth on both sides of the gap -- these two anchoring teeth are called abutment teeth -- and a false tooth/teeth in between. These false teeth are called pontics and can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain or a combination of these materials. During the first visit for receiving a dental bridge, the abutment teeth are prepared. Preparation involves recontouring these teeth by removing a portion of enamel to allow room for a crown to be placed over them. During your second visit, the crown or bridge will be fitted into your mouth.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental bridges, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.evansdentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment at Evans Dental Care in Williamsburg, VA, call 757-349-8877.

Does Tooth Enamel Repair Itself?

Unlike a broken bone that can be repaired by the body, once a tooth chips or breaks, the damage is done forever. Enamel is the thin outer covering of the tooth and this tough shell is the hardest tissue in the human body. Your tooth enamel is constantly taking a beating for the things you eat and drink. Enamel is similar to bone in that once it's gone, this lost portion won’t grow back and Dr. Peter S. Evans, DDS, of Evans Dental Care, will recommend options to restore it. 

Because enamel is not living tissue, it won’t naturally regenerate. Enamel can be strengthened, but once it’s gone, it’s gone for good. To repair tooth enamel if it’s chipped, cracked, or fractured, Dr. Evans may suggest dental bonding to restore the tooth back to its natural function.  If enamel is weak, you can restore it to some degree by improving its mineral content. This can be done with toothpaste and mouthwashes designed for enamel repair.

If you have questions or concerns regarding preventive dental care or cosmetic dental services, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.evansdentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment at Evans Dental Care in Williamsburg, VA, call 757-349-8877.

Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep Apnea

If you are suffering from sleep apnea and have yet to find relief, visit Evans Dental Care and see if a COAT device is the solution to your sleep woes.  A common treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure machine.  CPAP machines are effective, but some patients find the mask uncomfortable or overwhelming.  Continuous open airway therapy (COAT) devices work by aligning the jaw stabilizing the mouth to preserve the openness of the airway.  This helps get maximum oxygen flow without a machine. 

We are happy to recommend oral appliances for patients who will benefit from this treatment.  These devices vary in size and design, but each style is meant to stabilize the jaw and control the tongue to keep the airway open.  A consultation is the only way to find out which type of device is the best fit for you.  To learn more about sleep apnea and the treatments we provide, visit www.evansdentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment at Evans Dental Care in Williamsburg, VA, call 757-349-8877.