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.