Sep
A damaged tooth can affect much more than a single area of your mouth. Left untreated, it may change the way you chew, place additional stress on surrounding teeth, and increase the risk of further oral health problems. If a tooth is missing, these issues can become even more significant over time.
At Ocala Smiles in Ocala, Florida, restorative dentists Drs. Robert Evelyn and Wayne Harper provide personalized treatments to repair damaged teeth or replace missing ones. Their goal is to restore the function, stability, and appearance of your smile while supporting your long-term oral health.
If you’ve got a small cavity on one of your molars, you don’t have to lose much of your tooth at all if you catch it early.
Your dentist clears out the decay in the tooth and fills the space with a composite filling that’s the same color as your tooth. When he’s finished, your tooth will look good as new.

A crown is used to protect a tooth after a root canal because without the pulp and nerves inside the tooth, it can get brittle over time. It can also help you keep a tooth that has been damaged or to top off the dental implant if you’ve replaced a missing tooth.
A bridge is a non-surgical way to replace one or many teeth. A bridge uses the adjacent teeth as anchors to support the missing tooth or teeth. With todayโs dental advancements, a bridge can be fabricated in a fairly short period of time, using a metal or nonmetal foundation. Donโt let that missing tooth affect the way you speak, eat, and smile. Bridges yield immediate results that last a lifetime. Ask your dentist what type of bridge may be right for you.
Every tooth has pulp and nerves inside the root canal. If it gets infected because of bacteria, it will start giving you pain. But if you don’t get it treated, you’re also at risk of losing the tooth.
Once you’ve lost a tooth, there are lots of reasons to replace it. If it shows in your smile, that’s going to bug you. But a missing tooth also affects the foods you can eat and how well you chew.
Over time, you can lose jawbone density. So replacing a tooth once you’ve lost it is about more than just how your smile looks.
If you’re missing two teeth in a row, one of your most affordable options is a fixed bridge. The teeth on both sides of the gap anchor a prosthetic tooth between them. These can be two of your own healthy teeth or two dental implants.
If you’ve lost most of your teeth, full or partial dentures can help you feel more normal. The dentures stay in place with a base that matches the color of your gums.ย
Just because you’ve got a tooth that’s damaged or completely gone doesn’t mean you have to get used to living that way. Drs. Robert Evelyn and Wayne Harper at Ocala Smiles offer many options.
Our team serves residents in Summerville and surrounding areas. Call 352-867-7181 today to get set up with a consult at 1800 SE 17th St STE 602, Ocala, FL 34471.
Dr. Robert J. Evelyn graduated from the University of Florida College of Dentistry, where he received accolades for outstanding patient care, willingness to help others, and eagerness to learn. He completed a General Practice Residency at NYU Lutheran Medical Hospital Center in Brooklyn, NY, and received extensive training in restorative dentistry, implants, oral surgery, and endodontics. Dr. Evelyn has fellowships from the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), International Congress of Oral Implantologists, and American Academy of Implant Prosthodontics. He is a member of many professional organizations, including the American Dental Association, Florida Dental Association, and AGD.
Dr. Wayne Harper has been practicing general and cosmetic dentistry in Ocala since 1985. He received his undergraduate degree from Stony Brook SUNY and his dental degree from Emory University, Atlanta. He practiced in Ormond Beach until opening his Ocala office. He has attended numerous continuing education curricula, including the Pankey Institute and Dr. Peter Dawson continuum, and holds a Fellowship from the Las Vegas Institute for Global Studies. Dr. Harper is a member of organizations such as the American Dental Association, Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation, and International Association for Physiologic Aesthetics.

