Filling Replacement

Replacing old fillings is a standard part of maintaining oral health, and at Evans Dental Care in Williamsburg, we’re particularly interested in biocompatible dentistry. To spare our patients discomfort, we want them to be able to recognize when a filling needs to be replaced.

Fillings replace parts of the enamel that have been drilled away. While patients are numbed during the drilling, it is normal for them to feel tender for a few days afterward. But if the patient has difficulty closing their teeth together or the filling appears to be leaking, it needs to be reshaped as soon as possible.

The bonding that is used to cement fillings in place lasts for about ten years. After that, it cracks, providing bacteria with a place to feed and cause more decay. Patients should have old fillings replaced before this happens, but we also urge patients to get fillings replaced sooner if they are made of amalgam. This material contains mercury, and besides being unattractive, it is also unhealthy. Our office is equipped to remove mercury safely and replace it with white-colored resin. The process of replacing a filling also provides dentists with an opportunity to see whether the enamel covered by the filling has cracked.

Dr. Peter Evans operates Evans Dental Care at 103 Bulifants Blvd., Suite B, Williamsburg, Virginia, 23188. To schedule an appointment, visit Evans Dental Care or call 757-349-8877.

 

Inlays and Onlays

At Evans Dental Care in Williamsburg, we try to preserve as much of our patients’ natural teeth as possible. When teeth are badly decayed, it may be necessary to drill away and replace infected material. But instead of replacing an entire crown, we may be able to provide a partial crown, such as an inlay or onlay.

The molars and premolars have raised bits, called cusps, and indentations between them. Although sealants can flatten out indentations somewhat, it is still easy for people to skip over them while brushing. If the decay is not very severe but requires more than a filling, an inlay can be nestled in between cusps. If one or more cusps are broken or decayed, an onlay can be used to replace them as well.

After the decay has been removed, an impression will be made of the patient’s mouth. From this, the partial crown can be designed and milled. When it is ready, the patient will return to the dentist’s office, and the partial crown will be cemented in. This will restore their bite function and the aesthetics of their smile.

Dr. Peter Evans operates Evans Dental Care at 103 Bulifants Blvd., Suite B, Williamsburg, Virginia, 23188. To schedule an appointment, visit Evans Dental Care or call 757-349-8877.

 

Acid Reflux and Teeth

Evans Dental Care is a holistic dental practice, meaning we emphasize the connection between oral health and overall health. One of the most obvious ways in which the teeth are impacted by problems elsewhere in the body is the effect of acid reflux, which erodes enamel.

A person is said to have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) if they experience heartburn twice or more per week. Heartburn doesn’t actually have anything to do with the heart; it’s caused by the sphincter separating the stomach from the esophagus opening and allowing stomach acid to escape. The acid burns as it travels upward (which also puts patients at risk for esophageal cancer) and harms the teeth when it reaches the mouth. Due to their position, the upper molars are the first to be affected. Acid reflux can be identified as the problem by how the teeth take on a glazed appearance before becoming pitted.

Mineralization therapies can help to prevent erosion and matter that has already been lost can be replaced with partial crowns. But to prevent GERD, patients should reduce their intake of caffeine and alcohol, as well as fried meats, citrus juice, and onions and garlic. They should also avoid eating large meals before lying down.

Dr. Peter Evans operates Evans Dental Care at 103 Bulifants Blvd., Suite B, Williamsburg, Virginia, 23188. To schedule an appointment, visit Evans Dental Care or call 757-349-8877.