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.

Caring For Invisalign

Evans Dental Care offers Invisalign, the clear aligner system that straightens teeth without the metallic look of braces. Another perk of Invisalign clear aligners is that they require less maintenance and won’t prevent you from eating certain foods.  Although you won’t have to make too many changes, there are still guidelines you should follow to wear and care for your aligners!

You should remove the aligners each time you eat, but if you do eat anything while wearing the aligners make sure to clean them thoroughly afterwards. It is also best to brush and floss your teeth before putting the aligners back in.  Ideally when wearing clear aligners, you would only drink water. Colorful drinks can stain the aligners and too many hot drinks can eventually warp the plastic.  If you do drink anything other than water while wearing the aligners you should rinse them with warm water afterwards. 

Cleaning the clear aligners regularly is important for your teeth and straightening treatment.  Clear aligners can become discolored over time without losing their effectiveness, but the color can show on your own teeth and continue to darken.  There are several soaking solutions available over the counter, but brushing the aligners is also a sufficient cleaning option.  Do not use toothpaste to brush the aligners because subtle abrasive properties of toothpaste could harm the aligner.  It is best to use mild dish soap and a soft bristle brush to clean the aligners each time you brush your teeth.

To learn more about Invisalign and all 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.