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What to expect during Virginia Beach root canal therapy

August 11, 2016

Virginia-Beach-root-canalSaving a sick tooth is better than extraction, but many people choose extraction rather than Virginia Beach root canal therapy. Learn how Dr. Stephanie Santos and Dr. Venita John Falck perform this straightforward and long-standing restorative treatment comfortably in just 2 dental visits. (more…)

Restore Damaged Smiles with CEREC Virginia Beach

November 16, 2015

a woman with a beautiful smile thanks to the CEREC virginia beach residents preferIf 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.
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Tooth Loss: Common Causes from Virginia Beach Dentist

September 24, 2015

Father and daughter smiling with missing teeth. Get tooth loss facts from your Virginia Beach Dentist.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.
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All About Dental Implants Virginia Beach Prefers

September 4, 2015

Smiling woman with beautiful dental restoration with the dental implants Virginia Beach trustsMissing 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.
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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.

Get Rid of Tooth Pain for Good with Root Canal Therapy in Virginia Beach, VA

January 28, 2015

If you suffer from toothaches on a regular basis, you
understand how much it can interfere with your daily activities. It can be
difficult to concentrate at work, and you may avoid eating certain foods or
drinking cold beverages. Tooth pain doesn’t have to rule your life; the doctors
at Smile by Design in Virginia Beach, VA
can help you find lasting toothache relief with gentle root canal therapy. Dr. Vinita Folck
and Dr. Stephanie Santos
offer a complete menu of general and restorative
dentistry
treatments, including endodontic
therapy
.
How Do I
Know if I Need a Root Canal Treatment?

The most common symptom associated with an infected root canal is sensitivity to cold
temperatures and pain when pressure is applied to the tooth. Other signs that
you may need root canal treatment include
a pimple that forms on the gums, darkening of the affected tooth, and tenderness
in the jaw. Fortunately, the team at Smile
by Design
is here to help. We will clear the tooth of all infection, fill
the resultant cavity with a biocompatible material, and cap the tooth with a
beautiful custom crown. You’ll be free of pain and free to smile with comfort
once again.
It is important to remember that some infections deep within
teeth do not cause any noticeable symptoms until the decay is quite advanced.
This is yet another reason that routine checkups at your local Virginia Beach, VA dentist are so vital
to lifelong oral health and beautiful, attractive smiles.
Experience
Truly Gentle Root Canal Therapy

Root canal
treatment
may have developed a bad reputation over the years, but the
truth is that this procedure is no more uncomfortable than a simple filling.
Our team will make sure that you are completely comfortable before, during, and
after your procedure, offering sedation dentistry for patients who need a
little help relaxing at the dentist. Contact us today to
schedule your visit with Dr. Folck and
Dr. Santos at Smile by Design in Virginia
Beach, VA.
We can help you find lasting relief from toothache pain as we
ensure your continued oral health for years to come. Our state-of-the-art
dental practice proudly serves families from Sandbridge, Fort Story, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and beyond.

Composite Fillings vs. Amalgams: The Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings

December 28, 2014

For more than 150 years, tooth decay and other types of
dental damage were treated with an amalgam of metals, including silver,
mercury, copper, tin, and other trace elements. While these types of fillings,
commonly called amalgams, were
sufficient for restoring damaged teeth, they came with a number of drawbacks.
Today, composite resin fillings (often called white fillings or tooth-colored fillings) are the
preferred restorative method for teeth that have succumbed to cavities, minor
cracks, and injury. At Smile by
Design
in Virginia
Beach, VA
, Dr.
Stephanie Santos and Dr. Vinita Folck
offer a variety of natural-looking,
long-lasting restorative
dentistry options
, including tooth-colored
fillings
.
Why Choose
Tooth-Colored Fillings?

Tooth-colored
fillings
have rapidly become the restoration method preferred by both
patients and dentists for a variety of reasons. One of the most obvious is
their aesthetic appeal and their ability to blend seamlessly with the enamel of
a patient’s natural dentition. While amalgam
fillings
are dark and shiny, composite
resin fillings
are carefully color-matched to the surrounding tooth
structure. The result is a beautifully restored smile that looks completely
natural.
The benefits of tooth-colored
fillings
extend far beyond their cosmetic appeal. While the metals in amalgam fillings cause them to
adversely react to extreme temperatures, composite
resins
maintain their original shape and size for improved stability over
time. You don’t have to worry about the strength of the seals between your
fillings and your teeth, and there’s no risk of leaking or microfractures as
there can be with amalgams. In
addition, tooth-colored fillings are
more conservative than their metal counterparts. This means that less of your
natural tooth must be removed in preparation for a tooth-colored filling as compared to a metal filling. As with all of our cosmetic and restorative
services, we will do everything we can to preserve as much of your natural
smile as possible while offering the most effective treatments available.
A
Healthier, More Natural Smile

If you currently have amalgam
fillings
and you’re interested in the possibilities afforded by composite resin fillings, we invite you
to contact us today
to schedule an appointment with Drs.
Folck and Santos
at Smile by Design.
Our advanced technology, comforting amenities, and years of experience have
made our practice the premier destination for dental care in Virginia Beach, VA. We look forward to
helping you and every member of your family achieve lasting oral health and
beautiful smiles for life. Our warm, welcoming dental office proudly serves
families from throughout Virginia Beach,
Sandbridge, Fort Story, Norfolk, Portsmouth,
and beyond. 

What To Do When Canker Sores Won’t Go Away

September 29, 2014

A canker sore is a small, painful, shallow ulcer that appears inside the mouth; they may form on the tongue, the back portion of the roof of your mouth, or inside your cheeks. The exact cause of most canker sores is still unknown, although stress or tissue injury is thought to be the cause of most simple canker sores. Highly acidic foods can also trigger a canker sore or make the problem worse. Some cases of complex canker sores are caused by an underlying health condition, such as an impaired immune system or nutritional deficiencies involving vitamin B-12, zinc, folic acid, or iron. Other medical conditions like gastrointestinal tract disease, celiac disease, or Crohn’s disease could also be the culprit. If you have a canker sore that has lasted more than a week or two, you should make an appointment with the dentists at Smile By Design today. Dr. Santos and Dr. Folck can help you get immediate treatment and relief. Smile By Design is conveniently located in Virginia Beach, VA and proudly serves patients throughout Norfolk, Sandbridge, Portsmouth, Fort Story and surrounding communities.

Types of Canker Sores

There are two types of canker sores. The first type is the simple canker sore. These may appear sporadically three or four times per year and last for up to a week. They typically afflict young people between the ages of 10 and 20 years old. The second type is the complex canker sore. Complex canker sores are larger than simple canker sores, extremely painful, take more than a month to heal and can possibly leave a scar. They are less common and occur more often in people who have a long history of simple canker sores. People often confuse canker sores with cold sores but they are not the same. Cold sores, also known as fever blisters or herpes simplex type 1, are groups of painful, fluid filled blisters. Unlike canker sores, cold sores are caused by a virus and are extremely contagious. While canker sores only appear inside the mouth, cold sores typically appear outside the mouth, under the nose, around the lips, or under the chin.

Treatment for Canker Sores in Virginia Beach, VA

Usually, the pain from a canker sore lessens in a few days, and the sores heal themselves without treatment in about a week or two. However, if you experience any of the following symptoms, you should make an appointment with the experienced dentists of Smile By Design immediately as these may be signs of a more serious medical condition:

  • Unusually large sores
  • Sores that are spreading throughout your mouth
  • Sores that last three weeks or longer
  • Intense pain despite avoiding acidic foods and taking pain medication
  • Difficulty drinking enough fluids
  • High fever accompanying the canker sores

Smile By Design is located in Virginia Beach, VA,
with service to patients from the nearby communities of Norfolk, Sandbridge,
Portsmouth and Fort Story
.

How Do You Know When to Get Dentures?

September 16, 2014

The number of US adults needing dentures is projected to
increase from 33.6 million in 1991 to 37.9 million in 2020. Dentures are
not inevitable for most people if they actively practice good oral hygiene
habits and keep semi-annual dental checkups. Without these long-term measures
in place however, gum disease
and tooth decay, the main culprits of tooth loss, may win out. Gum disease causes
about 70% of adult tooth loss and affects 3 out of 4 people at some point in
their lives. Make an
appointment
with the experienced and caring dentists of Smile By Design to discuss your
tooth replacement options. Dr. Santos and
Dr. Folck
can help you decide if the time is right to get dentures to replace your
missing teeth. Smile by Design proudly serves patients throughout the Virginia Beach area,
including Norfolk, Sandbridge, Portsmouth and Fort Story
.
Dentures Can’t Fully
Replace Missing Teeth
Tooth loss is avoidable today unless you neglect your teeth
by not brushing, flossing and regularly visiting the dentist. When this happens,
tooth decay and gum disease can progress to bone loss, which in turn can lead
to tooth loss and possibly dentures.  Dentures should
be a last resort because there is no perfect substitute for your natural teeth.
Losing your natural teeth is more than just an esthetic
issue. The average adult bite force with natural teeth is somewhere around
200-250 pounds; with dentures, your bite force is reduced significantly to
about 50 pounds. This makes it increasingly difficult to chew and digest
certain foods like fruits and meats. Also, if you use upper dentures, the taste
buds on the roof of your mouth will be covered, which can significantly reduce your
sense of taste. Lastly, getting full dentures may cause your face to age more rapidly
than peers that still have their natural teeth. This is because the bone that was
used to support your natural teeth reabsorbs into the body. As the top of the
mouth reabsorbs upwards, and the bottom of the mouth reabsorbs downwards, the
space between your nose and chin shrinks, giving you an overall aged look.
Dentures and Dental
Implants in Virginia Beach, VA

If you are facing the need to replace a large number of
missing, or soon to be missing teeth, you are not alone. It’s estimated that
29% of Americans ages 45 to 55, 16% of Americans ages 35 to 44, and 3% of
Americans ages 18 to 34 wear either full or partial dentures. These dentures
don’t last forever and need to be replaced every 5-7 years, and relined every 2
years.  Although dentures aren’t always
easy to wear, not replacing your missing teeth isn’t a good option because the
pressure on the remaining teeth is too great. Fortunately today, dental implants
offer an attractive alternative to dentures. Choosing to get dental implants
eliminates the side effect of premature aging because the implant replaces the
tooth root and bone in your jaw. Also, dental implants have a bigger bite force
than regular dentures because they are cemented into the jawbone for added
stability. To discuss your tooth replacement options, make an appointment
with Smile By Design today. The
gentle dentists at Smile By Design proudly serve patients in and around Virginia Beach, VA,
Norfolk, Sandbridge, Portsmouth and Fort Story
.

It’s Time for a Stunning Summer Smile Makeover at Smile by Design

July 22, 2014

Summer is officially in full swing, and it’s time to get
outdoors and enjoy everything the warmer weather and beautiful sunshine have to
offer. Make sure that you’re ready to soak up the sun and revel in the fun of
the season with friends and family when you come to Smile by Design. Conveniently
located in Virginia
Beach, VA
, the practice of Dr. Vinita Folck
and Dr. Stephanie Santos
can help get your smile ready for pool parties,
backyard cookouts, and summer vacation with a variety of cosmetic
dentistry
treatments.
Say Hello
to Your Brand New Smile

Many American men and women admit that they would benefit
from some level of cosmetic enhancement when it comes to their smiles.
Sometimes, it’s a simple matter of stains or yellowing that has them feeling
down about their appearance. Deep discoloration caused by coffee, wine,
tobacco, and certain medications can make you look and feel years older than
you actually are, but professional teeth whitening can help. With the proven
power of Zoom!
Teeth Whitening
, our doctors can help erase years of built-up stains from
your smile. You’ll be leaving our office with a revitalized new look and a
gorgeous set of pearly whites you can be proud of!
If yellowing isn’t your only concern, you’re not alone. What
about problems like fractures in your enamel, mild misalignment, crowding, gaps
between teeth, and more? Fortunately, we have a solution for these issues as
well. Porcelain
veneers
are an ideal fix for all kinds of problems all at once, giving you
a perfectly proportioned, uniform smile in just two visits. These ultra-thin,
durable layers of customized dental porcelain fit right over your natural
teeth, giving the gorgeous smile you’ve always wanted with minimal preparation. Whatever you need to feel great about your smile this summer, you’ll find it
here at Smile by Design.

Schedule
Your Cosmetic Consultation Today

Whether your smile needs a complete transformation or you’d
simply like to give it a little boost for summer, our doctors are here to help.
Contact our office
in Virginia Beach, VA today to
schedule your visit with our team, and explore the possibilities of cosmetic dentistry for yourself. We
look forward to helping you reveal your most beautiful and confident smile yet.
Our practice serves patients from throughout the Virginia Beach area, including Norfolk,
Sandbridge, Portsmouth, Fort Story
, and beyond. 
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