Thursday, October 30, 2014

Porcelain Veneers from Smile by Design in Virginia Beach, VA

When you see your smile in the mirror or in a photograph, do you see the smile you want or do you see the smile you’ve simply settled for? Perhaps your smile is marred by slightly flawed teeth. Whatever the reason, you don’t have to settle anymore. With porcelain veneers, Dr. Stephanie Santos and Dr. Vinita Folck, the dentists at Smile by Design in Virginia Beach, VA, can give you the smile you’ve always wanted.

The concerns that porcelain veneers can remedy cover a broad range. For example, maybe you are bothered by a tooth that is chipped, cracked or broken. Whether by injury or normal wear and tear, porcelain veneers can repair these cosmetic worries. Likewise, if you have teeth that are discolored or stained, veneers can help restore your smile to its natural whiteness. Gaps and uneven spacing between teeth, slightly crooked or rotated teeth, and even the shape and length of teeth can all be corrected with the aid of porcelain veneers.

What are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are micro-thin shells of dental porcelain that are bonded to the surface of your teeth to repair or enhance your smile. When you come to Smile by Design, we will need to take impressions and photos of your teeth in order for the dental lab to fabricate your custom-made porcelain veneers.

But that’s not all we do to make sure your new smile is just right for you. We also take into consideration your facial features, hair color and eye color. Your veneers need to fit you, not just your smile. When your porcelain veneers arrive from the lab, one of our dentists will make sure they are a perfect fit for you and then use dental cement to bond the veneers to your teeth. With a little gentle loving care, your new veneers will give you years of smiling satisfaction.

Schedule an Appointment Today


If you are ready to discuss what porcelain veneers can do for you and your smile, then call the office of Smile by Design in Virginia Beach, VA, to schedule a consultation. We will be glad to see you. Our office also serves patients in Sandbridge, Norfolk, Fort Story and Portsmouth.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Kids, Candy and Cavities: The Case for Children’s Dentistry

For kids, Halloween is nothing but fun. Costumes, candy, games and parties. For parents and the other people who care about kids, Halloween can raise a few concerns. Of course, you take every precaution to make sure your children are safe on that night of trick-or-treating. But how about protecting their teeth? This is the perfect time of year to be mindful of your children’s oral health. Dr. Stephanie Santos and Dr. Vinita Folck at Smile by Design in Virginia Beach, VA, make children’s dentistry an integral part of their family practice.

Children’s Dentistry: A Partnership among Dentists, Parents and Kids

At home, you know what you should do to help your children build a foundation of good oral health. Brush and floss at least twice a day, usually in the morning and at night. This practice should begin as soon as that first little white tooth shows up in your baby’s gum. Just take a soft washcloth or gauze pad and wipe the tooth with warm water after feeding. As more teeth grow, you’ll want to use a soft child’s toothbrush and pea-size amount of toothpaste. Help your children brush their teeth until the age of seven or eight, when they have the coordination to do so themselves.

That foundation for good oral health continues when you bring your children to Smile by Design. Your child’s first visit to the dentist should happen between the ages of two and three, or certainly earlier if you suspect a problem. Our dentists and their staff will do their best to make sure your child’s time in the office is relaxed and inviting. Then, as they grow and mature, they will be comfortable with routine dental procedures such as cleanings, fluoride treatments and the occasional x-ray. We recommend bringing your children to the dentist twice per year, so that we can spot concerns before they become problems.

Contact Our Office Today


Keep your little ghosts and goblins smiling brightly with children’s dentistry at Smile by Design in Virginia Beach, VA. Schedule an appointment today. We conveniently serves patients in the surrounding communities of Fort Story, Portsmouth, Sandbridge and Norfolk.