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Smile by Design Blog

How Do I Handle A Dental Emergency?

July 27, 2015

ThinkstockPhotos-466619289An emergency is serious business. It that shouldn’t be taken lightly. It doesn’t matter why, how or when one arises; you have to act swiftly. When it comes to a dental emergency, time is of the essence. It’s the difference between saving a tooth and having it replaced. A dental emergency can happen in many different ways and can be a scary experience for the affected person. We’re here to calm any fears you may have. Virginia Beach dentists, Dr. Stephanie Santos and Dr. Vinita Folck, want you to act accordingly, yet quickly, when a dental emergency arises. Our staff in Virginia Beach, VA is ready to help in any way we can. When it comes to dental emergencies, the dental office Virginia Beach calls on is Smile By Design.

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The Importance of Maintaining Good Dental Habits from Your Virginia Beach Dental Office

July 24, 2015

surprised beautiful young woman talking on the phone

About 100 years ago, almost no one brushed their teeth. When men in the US were drafted for WWI, poor oral hygiene was considered a risk to national security, and during WWII, more recruits received medical rejection from military services because they didn’t have enough teeth than for any other medical condition.  Maybe this seems like the distant past, but today, more people own smartphones than own toothbrushes and periodontal disease effects nearly 80% of US adults easily qualifying as an epidemic. Oral health has a long history of neglect. Despite the best efforts of dental professionals, most people don’t spend enough time caring for their smiles, but in the past 30 years, a significant shift has occurred in dentistry to help improve dental health. Previously, dentists focused on treatment and replacement. Today, we focus on prevention and restoration. At Smile by Design, we don’t treat your dental issues after they arise we prevent them, and if our preventive measures fail, we don’t extract and replace your teeth, we always try to restore them. It’s a whole new dental world, but without your commitment to oral health between visits, your teeth remain at risk. Call the Virginia Beach, VA dental practice of Drs. Stephanie L. Santos and Vinita John Folck to find out more about oral health or schedule an appointment today.

Essential Family Dentistry Virginia Beach Relies On

In order to maintain optimal oral health, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that, at minimum, people brush their teeth for 2 minutes 2 times a day, floss between teeth and below the gum line at least once per day, and receive a regular dental examination and cleaning every six months. That’s the foundation for a lifetime of oral health, but many patients are surprised to hear that their oral health is closely related to their overall physical wellbeing. Remember that 80% of US adults suffer from some form of periodontal (gum) disease? Gum disease has been linked to numerous systemic and chronic illnesses including:

Cardiovascular disease – Oral bacteria causes infection and inflammation in the mouth. This infection and inflammation can spread throughout your body in your bloodstream. Fatty plaque deposits or other blood cell irregularities make it difficult for your heart to pump blood into the rest of your body which can lead to blood clots, stroke, and atrial fibrillation.

Infection of heart, lungs and liver – Endocarditis, walking pneumonia, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease have all been linked to gum disease as a possible source or at the very least an indicator. While research hasn’t discovered a causal connection, the likelihood that patients with one of these illnesses will also suffer from gum disease is more than 50%.

Immunodeficiency – Patients with diabetes, HIV/AIDS and other diseases that affect the immune system are extremely susceptible to gum disease.

Low weight and pre-term birth – A study of periodontitis (severe gum disease) developed from “pregnancy gingivitis” (common form of mild gum disease in pregnant women), has linked periodontal disease to low weight and pre-term birth. Women with periodontitis are 50% more likely to deliver early or underdeveloped babies.

Contact Your Family Dentist, Virginia Beach

There’s no need to dread your next dental checkup. You should look forward to the opportunity to improve your oral health, and overall wellbeing. Drs. Santos and Folck and the entire Smile by Design team are dedicated to making you feel right at home because we do! Our staff loves coming to work every day, and our patients know it. Happiness is contagious, and we guarantee you’ll smile through your entire appointment. Call to schedule a checkup or teeth cleaning today. Our convenient, Virginia Beach, VA office welcomes patients from surrounding areas Virginia Beach, Northeast Virginia Beach, Fort Story, Sand Bridge and beyond.

Your Virginia Beach Cosmetic Dentist

July 6, 2015

Beautiful woman smiling, close up over a dark  background

If a picture can say a thousand words, shouldn’t your picture say something great? If you’re hiding a crooked or gapped smile, your pictures may be sending the wrong message. Whatever reason you have for hiding your smile, the amazing Smile by Design teeth can help you get the smile you’ve always wanted. Stop hiding your smile irregularities, and start smiling with confidence today. Call our convenient Virginia Beach, VA office to schedule an appointment.

Cosmetic Dentistry Virginia Beach

When you here cosmetic dentistry does it bring to mind the glossy magazine smiles or movie star grins you’ve always wanted? Do you cover your mouth when you smile, laugh or talk even with friends and family? At Smile by Design, our name says it all. Dr. Stephanie Santos and Dr. Vinita John Folck are experienced cosmetic dentists who offer a wide array of dental treatment options to make any smile beautiful. Whatever reason you have for wanting to make a change, we can help you design a picture-perfect smile that will help you look and feel your very best. Our full line of cosmetic dentistry services include:

Teeth Whitening – Like many dental offices we offer the powerful Zoom! whitening treatments. In just over an hour, your teeth will be up to 10 shades brighter. Zoom! whitening with proper maintenance can last for years, and we will offer you at-home touch up treatments with custom fitted application trays to ensure a long lasting radiant smile.

Porcelain Veneers – If you want a minimally invasive way to restore your smile, porcelain veneers are a great way to cover cracked, missing, discolored, or irregular spaced teeth. Veneers are especially useful for patients who are not healthy enough for extensive restoration.

Invisalign – Patients who didn’t have braces when they were young adults and don’t want to wear a mouth full of metal to their next staff meeting, often just accept that they’ll have smile irregularities forever. Invisalign clear braces offer a faster way to straighten your bite alignment, and thanks to the clear alignment trays, no one needs to know.

Tooth Colored Crowns and Fillings – When your tooth is damaged by trauma or decay, the last thing you want is unsightly amalgam fillings and crowns. While your smile function is restored, it certainly doesn’t look much better. At Smile by Design we offer tooth colored fillings and crowns to restore the esthetics of your smile as well as the form of your tooth, and our CEREC same day crowns make it quick and easy to put a smile back on your face.

Makeover Your Smile

If you have extensive dental trauma, missing teeth, or tooth decay, you may want to receive multiple treatments to restore the natural beauty of your smile. Dr.s Santos and Folck will work with you to design a smile makeover plan that will give you the results you want in your budget, on your schedule. Don’t spend one more day hiding your smile. Let Smile by Design give you a reason to smile today.

Contact Your Virginia Beach Dentists

Whether you have crooked, cracked or missing teeth, or just want to whiten your teeth for a radiant smile, Smile by Design is here to help you achieve the smile of you dreams. Don’t accept the smile you have, let us give you the smile you want. Call to schedule a cosmetic dentistry consultation today. Our outstanding cosmetic dentistry services are available to patients in Virginia Beach, Northeast Virginia Beach, Fort Story, Sand Bridge and beyond.

Family Dentist, Virginia Beach, VA

June 6, 2015

Attractive young family smiling at camera on bed posing

The convenience of one-stop-shopping and the quality service offered in a specialty store is what you’ll find when you bring your family to Smile by Design. In Virginia Beach, VA, our practice is known for its fun, friendly atmosphere. Dr. Stephanie Santos is passionate about helping patients overcome dental anxiety, and Dr. Vinita John Folck things the practice feels like family and she treats her patients like they’re a part of it. Our regular patients often report looking forward to their checkups, and our superior care extends to patients of all ages. Starting at age 2, we welcome patients to visit every six months and experience dentistry that puts your comfort first. Call to schedule appointments for the whole family today.

Top-Notch Virginia Beach Dentists

The Smile by Design team loves to laugh and strives to make every dental appointment an anxiety free zone. Our skilled dentists, Dr.s Santos and Folck offer the best care for patients of all ages using the most up-to-date dental technology. We offer Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics or CEREC. This technology makes it possible for our office to offer patients a custom milled crown in just one visit. Our whole team is dedicated to continuing education in order to ensure the most innovative care for your whole family.

Children’s Dentistry

When it comes to dentistry, one size does not fit all. This is especially true when it comes to care for little smiles, and at Smile by Design, we know how to care for your child and establish a foundation for a lifetime of superior dental health. We recommend scheduling appointments every six months starting at age two. Your child will have baby teeth coming in and be able to comfortably sit for an examination. However, if you are concerned about dental development prior to age two, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with our children’s dentistry office.

During the first few dental visits, we want to build trust and make your child feel safe and welcome in our office. That’s why we offer tours so our littles patients can get used to the sights and sounds of the office. Once they feel safe and relaxed, we’ll gently examine your child’s baby teeth, provide feedback about any concerns, and offer recommendations for at home care. Once your child is old enough to begin brushing, we’ll show him how to brush and floss effectively.

Experience Great Family Dentistry, Virginia Beach, VA

Whatever your dental care needs or the size of your family, Smile by Design offers dental care to make you smile. If you’ve struggled with dental anxiety, our doctors are dedicated to making every patient comfortable. We want you to look forward to your dental checkups, and at Smile by Design, we think you will. Call to schedule an appointment today. Our state-of-the-art Virginia Beach location welcomes patients from surrounding communities including Fort Story, and Northeast Virginia Beach.

Tooth-Colored Fillings Can Revitalize Your Smile

May 31, 2015

tooth-colored fillings can do a lot for your smile.When you think of your smile, naturally, you’re going to picky. Everyone is. Your smile is one of the most important traits you can show off to other people. If there is something going on with your smile that you don’t like, we’d like to help you. At our office in Virginia Beach, VA, we know a thing or two about giving people the smiles that they want. Tooth-colored fillings are just another way we can transform your smile into a beautiful work of art. Dr. Stephanie Santos and Dr. Vinita Folck are here to alleviate any imperfections and get your smile back to looking and feeling great. Smile By Design truly raises the bar when it comes to providing patients with a smile they can proudly show off for years to come. Are you ready for a smile that will turn heads in all the right ways? Tooth-colored fillings are where it’s at!
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Enjoy General Dentistry Services That Will Keep Your Family Smiling Big

May 21, 2015

General dentistry for the whole family.To us, there’s nothing better than seeing a family with bright, beautiful smiles. Think about family pictures throughout the years. You want you and your family’s smiles to stay beautiful throughout your lives, and the best way to maintain a great smile is by keeping Dr. Santos, Dr. Folck and the rest of the Smile By Design team as part of your dental family. Our general dentistry services are here to help your mouths stay strong, clean and, most importantly, healthy. Unhealthy mouths can lead to a multitude of problems down the road that could be very expensive and time consuming. With comfortable, comprehensive dental care within your reach, why wouldn’t you want to treat your family’s mouths to a dental team that has their care at the top of their minds? Our Virginia Beach, VA office is ready to treat your family with the utmost care.
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Invisalign: An Alternative to Traditional Braces in Virginia Beach, VA

April 27, 2015

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , — smilebydesignteam @ 8:55 pm
Do you often find yourself dreaming about having a
beautiful, straight smile that can light up a room? Are you content with the
alignment of your teeth? Many adults are unhappy with their teeth, and some are
even self-conscious about the image their teeth present. Generally, the go-to
option for correcting teeth alignment is traditional braces, but most adults do
not want to undergo the treatment. So, is there a way to straighten teeth
without traditional braces? Smile by
Design
, located in Virginia Beach, VA, offers Invisalign, a customized alternative to
the metal appliances of regular braces.

What is Invisalign?

Our doctors,
caring professionals with years of experience, and their handpicked team of expert
practitioners are dedicated to helping every patient achieve their dental
goals. We understand that most adults do not wish to deal with the metal
brackets and wires of regular braces, as the tension in the wires can become
painful, and the look can seem juvenile. This is why we offer Invisalign, which are
clear, personalized aligners that fit around the teeth. These aligners are
removable, which allows you to continue eating your favorite foods, brush your
teeth, etc. Because the sets of aligners are clear, you can maintain a natural
look without worrying about people focusing on your treatment.

How Does It Work?

When you come in for an initial consultation, we will
examine your mouth and take 3D images of your teeth. We will plan your
treatment and send the images to a certified Invisalign laboratory. The
professional technicians in the lab will create your customized aligners, and
when finished, send them to us. When we receive the sets, we will have you
return to our office to pick them up. While you receive your aligners, we will
instruct you on which set to start with, how long to wear that set, which
aligners to switch to, and so on. Within 9-18 months, you will have a
beautiful, straight smile you will be proud to show off to the world.

Get the Smile of Your Dreams

If you are ready to finally achieve the smile you always
wanted, then it is time to ask our wonderful team about Invisalign. Contact us today and
schedule your consultation. We are happy to provide our treatment to those who
live in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, and the surrounding
communities. 

Stellar Cosmetic Dentistry in Virginia Beach, VA

April 20, 2015

How do you feel about your teeth? Are you content with the
aesthetics of your teeth? Do you feel comfortable flashing your smile? If you
are not proud of your smile, then you are not alone. Most Americans wish they
could achieve a celebrity-like smile, but over time, teeth receive stains from
food and beverages, and yellowing occurs over time. With modern advances in
dental technology and practices, it is now possible to get a bright, white,
beautiful smile with minimal effort. The office of Smile by Design, located in Virginia
Beach, VA, offers comprehensive cosmetic
dentistry
, tailored to provide the smile of your dreams.

Wonderful Treatment from a Friendly Team

A luminous, glowing smile can be a difficult thing to
achieve, especially since your teeth will naturally turn into a dull shade. Our
doctors, a
duo of professionals with a goal of helping every patient with their oral
health, and our crack team of dental
masters are passionate about providing everyone with the smile they deserve.
Our dental practice is equipped with advanced technology and our team keeps
current with the latest dental trends. We guarantee our treatments will restore
the dazzling, white sheen to your mouth.

Treatments for Your Needs

Patients do not have similar needs, which is why we
personalize every treatment for each individual. Whether you need a simple
whitening procedure or something more, we can accommodate your desires and help
you meet your goals. We offer the following:
·        
Zoom! Teeth Whitening:
If you want to blow people away with a bright, vibrant smile, we can apply
Zoom! to your teeth. In just one hour, you can walk out of the office with a
gorgeous set of teeth.
·        
Tooth-Colored Fillings: Metal-colored fillings
are easy to spot, and they do not look aesthetically pleasing. Luckily, we
provide tooth-colored fillings. These fillings restore strength to the teeth
and blend in with their natural color.
·        
Porcelain Veneers: Veneers can cover cracks,
chips, and fractures and give a beautiful look to your teeth. These thin strips
are created specifically for you and can be bonded within two appointments.

Get Your Dream Smile Today

If you are not content with your smile, schedule an
appointment at our office and start your journey to get the smile you always
wanted. Contact us now and set up your initial consultation. Our office doors
are always open to Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, and the
neighboring cities. 

How to Fix Imperfect Teeth and Get a Whiter Smile: Porcelain Veneers

March 25, 2015

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , — smilebydesignteam @ 4:22 pm
Everyone dreams of having a bright, drop-dead-gorgeous
smile. Movies, TV, and advertising always show individuals with straight, white
smiles that catch the eye. Sometimes, though, this injuries, trauma, stains,
and yellowing can prevent an achievable perfect smile. Aging and certain foods
and drinks can stain and yellow teeth, while injuries and facial trauma can
crack, fracture, and chip teeth. How can you obtain the smile you want? Smile by Design and its outstanding team of trained
practitioners
have a solution for you: porcelain veneers.

What are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers
are the answer to gaining confidence, self-esteem, and correcting any
imperfections with your teeth. The veneers are thin pieces of porcelain, a type
of ceramic, which are used to recreate the natural look of teeth, while
restoring strength. Veneers can correct shape, size, cracks, and other issues
with teeth. They are highly stain-resistant and are translucent, resembling
healthy, white tooth enamel. The enhancements will immediately change any smile
from dull to magnificent.

How Does the Dentist Attach Veneers?

Initially, you will have to meet with our dentist and
discuss the option. We will examine and map out your mouth, forming a plan for
the procedure (X-rays or impressions may be used to help with this). We will
then schedule a date for the procedure. During your next visit, we will get to
work.
Anesthetic will be applied if necessary, and the dentist
will remove about ½ millimeter of enamel from the tooth’s surface, which is
roughly the thickness of the veneer. The porcelain veneer will then be placed
on the tooth, inspected to ensure the size and color match. If the size is a
little off, we will trim the veneer to make sure it will be the perfect fit.
After a quick clean and polish, the veneer will be bonded to the tooth. A
special light beam is used to cement the veneer and hold it in place.

I Really Want Veneers.

Consultation with our professionals is necessary before we
can green light a procedure. If you have an imperfect tooth – regardless of how
it became damaged or warped – and would like to receive porcelain veneers, call or email our
friendly staff immediately. We open our doors to all people in Virginia Beach,
VA, Norfolk, Chesapeake, and the surrounding region. 

Crafting Beautiful Smiles with Extraordinary Cosmetic Dentistry

March 9, 2015

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , — smilebydesignteam @ 4:19 pm
Nothing turns heads faster and causing stares longer than
flashing a perfectly white smile. A bright, shiny smile builds confidence,
shows off your outgoing, joyful mood, and brings attention your way.
Unfortunately, certain foods and drinks will stain your teeth over time, and
growing older will naturally give them a yellow color. Do you want to avoid
others seeing stains or a yellowish color forming on your incisors? Smile by Design, a collective of dental
masters
, can help restore your beautiful smile with simple cosmetic
dentistry services.

Cosmetic Dentistry? What’s That?

Cosmetic
dentistry
involves adjusting the aesthetics of your teeth. While a regular
checkup with our dentist involves cleaning and providing a healthier mouth
(general dentistry), cosmetic involves only creating a more appealing look for
your teeth. These services are all about enhancing your smile, giving patients
the teeth they have been dreaming about without the hassle of trying to deal
with store bought whitening kits.

What Treatments are Offered with Cosmetic Dentistry?

This practice offers several different options, all of which
are recommended by our expert doctor after a full mouth examination. Treatments
and procedures include:
Porcelain Veneers: These are thin pieces of
porcelain, which are used to create a natural look for teeth, fixing
imperfections and giving a white glow. These porcelain pieces provide strength
to teeth – comparable to natural tooth enamel – while giving the patient the
shining smile they deserve.
·        
In-Office Whitening: Our doctor will apply a
layer of high-concentration peroxide gel to your teeth in 15-20 minute
intervals over the course of an hour. In one visit, your teeth can become 10
shades whiter.
·        
Take-Home Whitening Kits: If you don’t have the
time to spend an hour in our office, we can provide a take-home kit. The
dentist will instruct you on how much gel to apply and for how long, but the
process is very easy. You will simply place the gel on a custom dental tray,
then insert the tray into your mouth.

Are You Ready to get Whiter Teeth?

If you are tired of hiding stains or yellow teeth, or if you
just want brighter pearly-whites, contact our office and schedule a consultation
with our professional staff. Our friendly team has its doors wide open to
Virginia Beach, VA, Norfolk, Chesapeake, and all of the surrounding areas. 
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