Your smile is one of your most important personal assets. Not only do your personal appearance and self-confidence depend on it, but your oral and systemic health do, too. Preventive dentistry aims to keep your teeth and gums strong for a lifetime and to spare you the expense and discomfort of extensive dental work. That’s why dentists in Virginia Beach, Drs. Santos and Folck, show patients what can harm their teeth so smiles last.
So much has changed since you were a child — not the least of which is your smile. Your dental needs are very different from what they once were. Yes, our teeth change a lot over the years, and that means your visits to the dentist will be a little different, too. Learn about our changing dental needs throughout a lifetime from the trusted family dentist in Virginia Beach at Smile By Design today!
If you’ve ever had a crown, inlay, onlay, or other dental restoration you’re likely aware that traditional dental restorations require at least two appointments. During the first visit, patients’ teeth are prepared, and impressions taken that are used by a lab to create a custom smile restoration. In the meantime, patients wear a temporary restoration. During a subsequent appointment several weeks later, patients receive their final dental restoration. At Smile by Design, we offer patients CEREC, the single-visit smile restoration alternative.
(more…)
However it happens, losing teeth is always a traumatizing experience. Gaps in your smile negatively affect more than your confidence — they can also interfere with the way you speak, eat and chew. The key to avoiding tooth loss is knowing why it happens, and what you can do to stop it. Keep reading to learn about the top four causes of tooth loss from the Virginia Beach dentist you trust at Smile By Design.
(more…)
Missing teeth happen for a number of reasons. It could be genes — maybe your mother gave you her knack for tennis, but she could have also given you a few gaps in your mouth. Or perhaps your missing teeth were the result of a traumatic accident, like a car wreck. Whatever caused those gaps in your smile, one thing is for sure — you’ve got to get them fixed. Did you know that nothing comes closer to a natural tooth replacement than dental implants? Today, learn how your Virginia Beach dentist can help you complete your smile with dental implants.
(more…)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
