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.

Dental Bonding

Bonding can be used to correct cracks or gaps in teeth. In relation to dentistry, the definition of bonding is the application of a tooth-colored composite resin (plastic) to repair a decayed, chipped, fractured or discolored tooth. With the advancements in dental technology, Dr. Peter Evans DDS, of Evans Dental Care can apply dental bonding that may last for over 10 years with proper oral care.

Dental bonding is among the easiest and least expensive of cosmetic dental procedures and very little preparation is needed in advance for the treatment. Anesthesia isn’t necessary unless the bonding is being used to fill a decayed tooth. Dental bonding takes about 30 to 60 minutes per tooth to complete. Because bonding material can chip, it is important to avoid such habits as biting fingernails and chewing on pens, ice or other hard food objects. Tea, coffee, cigarette smoke, and other substances can stain the resin used in bonding.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental bonding or cosmetic 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.

White Spot Lesions

Have you ever noticed glazed, unusually white patches developing on your teeth? They may be the first sign of decay. At Evans Dental Care in Williamsburg, we want our patients to be aware of when their body is signaling that it needs more help fighting incipient dental lesions, also known as white spots.

Acid is a by-product of bacteria eating food debris. It gets stuck in plaque, the sticky film covering teeth. As enamel is exposed to acid, it begins losing minerals. This causes it to look discolored and chalky in texture, as can also be seen in people with acid reflux. But while acid reflux mainly appears on the upper back teeth, erosion from decay can usually be found in places that are hard to brush, such as near the gum line and around orthodontic brackets.

White spots develop in as little as a month, but patients can halt their progress by improving their brushing. Teeth cannot regrow lost enamel mass, but they can remineralize. If a white spot does not disappear after the infection has been killed, we can discuss options such as masking it with a veneer.

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.

 

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.