Invisalign: An Alternative to Traditional Braces in Virginia Beach, VA

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

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

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

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. 

No Long Waiting Periods with CEREC One Visit Crowns

If you have ever needed car repairs, you know that the process can be daunting. You have to drop your car off at the repair shop, get a rental car, and then wait several days (or even weeks) to get your car back. This is because the repair shop has to order special parts, wait for their delivery, and then begin working on your car. It’s all a big hassle. The same is true for traditional dental crown procedures. In the past, if you needed a dental crown, your dentist had to first take impressions of your teeth, construct and place a temporary crown, then wait two weeks for the crown to be constructed by a dental lab. After this long waiting period, your dental crown could finally be placed. Not anymore! With the new CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramic) one visit crowns, there’s no long waiting period for your permanent restoration. You can be in and out with your brand new crown in one short visit. If you need a damaged or compromised tooth crowned, make an appointment with the experienced restorative dentists at Smile By Design today. Dr. Santos and Dr. Folck can restore your teeth quickly and efficiently using the new CEREC crowns technology. Smile By Design is conveniently located in Virginia Beach, VA and proudly serves patients throughout Norfolk, Sandbridge, Portsmouth, Fort Story and surrounding communities.

You may need a CEREC crown to repair:

·         large cavities

·         disfiguring chips or cracks

·         broken teeth 

·         misshapen teeth

The CEREC crown procedure is a simple six step process. Your dentist will:

·         Cover the tooth with non-toxic powder and take digital pictures

·         Using 3-D CEREC technology, the restoration is designed 

·         This detailed information is sent digitally to the CEREC milling unit

·         The personalized porcelain crown is fabricated right in your dentist's office

·         The new crown is polished and placed

·         The crown is permanently bonded to your tooth

The benefits of CEREC Crowns include:

·         No fabrication waiting period

·         Prepping, fitting, and placing all in one visit

·         No temporary crown that falls off or is sensitive

·         You receive your final crown in one visit

·         You get a more accurate scanned impression

·         Your dentist can make any necessary changes immediately

Repair Your Teeth with CEREC Crowns in Virginia Beach, VA

We use technological advancements to make our lives simpler and easier every day. This principle should also be true of our dental care. CEREC crowns make dental crown procedures faster and less complicated for dentists and  patients. That means that your dentist has more time to focus on giving you the best possible care. Make an appointment with the highly qualified cosmetic and restorative dentists at Smile By Design today. Dr. Santos and Dr. Folck restore smiles daily throughout Virginia Beach, VA, Norfolk, Sandbridge, Portsmouth, Fort Story, and nearby areas.

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.

Straighten Your Smile with Ease with Invisalign.

Having a misaligned or gapped smile is never an easy thing to live with, and you may feel as though you are merely settling for the smile you were given. Though you may have considered straightening your smile, the idea of having a mouth full of metal may have deterred you from seeking the orthodontic treatment you want and deserve. Dealing with wires and brackets associated with traditional braces are never comfortable, and the dietary restrictions are not something to look forward to either. Thankfully, Dr. Stephanie L. Santos and Dr. Vinita John Folck are able to straighten your smile with ease by offering Invisalign to their patients at their Virginia Beach, VA dental office.

The wonderful thing about Invisalign is the fact you are able to align your smile without compromising the way you look. Invisalign works through a series of aligners that gently straighten your teeth, and the aligners sit nearly invisibly on your smile! That way, you are able to get orthodontic treatment without making it blatant. Our doctors will make impressions of your smile, and send that information to have your custom aligners made. The wonderful thing about having your aligners custom made is the fact that your treatment is personalized specifically to you, and it will ensure amazing results. You wear each aligner for a specific amount of time, as no aligner is identical to the other. Each one is indicative of a different step in your treatment process, so when you are finished wearing one aligner, simply apply the next one in the series to continue your treatment!

One of the amazing benefits of Invisalign is that you are able to experience complete dietary freedom. With traditional braces, there are certain foods you cannot eat, as the wires and brackets get in the way. So now, not only is your treatment more comfortable, but it is more enjoyable. Also, you are able to experience better oral health with Invisalign. Any time you need to eat, drink, floss, or brush, simply remove and reapply the aligner when needed! If you would like our doctors to help you straighten your smile using Invisalign, contact our office today!

Contact our office in Virginia Beach, VA today to schedule your visit with our team, and explore the possibilities of Invisalign for yourself. We look forward to helping you reveal your most beautiful and confident smile yet. Our practice serves patients throughout the Virginia Beach area, including Norfolk, Sandbridge, Portsmouth, Fort Story, and beyond.

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

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. 

Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening Products: How Effective Are They?

Everyone wants a bright, healthy smile that they’re proud to show off to the people in their lives, but aging and many external factors can cause our teeth to look less than lustrous. Today, there are many over-the-counter teeth whitening products available at your local pharmacy and grocery stores, each of them promising amazing results. It is important, however, to be an informed consumer when it comes to teeth whitening products and services before you make a decision. At Smile by Design in Virginia Beach, VA, our doctors are happy to help patients understand the intricacies of teeth whitening and how it affects your teeth.

OTC Whitening vs. Professional Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening strips and comparable over-the-counter whitening products are capable of producing temporary results because they remove surface stains from the enamel. Unfortunately, their active ingredients aren’t powerful enough to deliver long-lasting results and, therefore, customers must repeat the process every month or so. In addition, because these products are used at home, there is more margin for error in application. This means that you may not even get the results you see on the package, particularly if the whitening solution does not remain in contact with all surfaces of the teeth for the prescribed amount of time.

Zoom! Whitening: Advantages of In-Office Whitening

Unlike over-the-counter teeth whitening products, professional whitening services – including the highly-effective Zoom! Whitening we offer in our office – produce lasting results by removing stains from deep within each tooth. The hydrogen peroxide gel formula we use during your Zoom! procedure is activated by a specialized light, allowing the active ingredients to permeate the stained layers of dentin and enamel. Years of discoloration are effectively lifted in a single, one-hour treatment. Take-home kits can be used to touch up your smile and maintain lasting results. Over-the-counter treatments simply cannot penetrate the surfaces of your teeth to remove set-in stains the way Zoom! Whitening can.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Do you want to experience the full benefits of a gorgeously white smile in less time than ever before? Contact our office today if you have any questions about teeth whitening, or if you’re ready to schedule your appointment with our team of experienced doctors and our friendly staff. We look forward to helping you achieve the brilliantly white, healthy smile of your dreams. Our conveniently located office in Virginia Beach, VA proudly serves patients from the surrounding areas as well, including Portsmouth, Norfolk, Fort Story, Sandbridge, and beyond. 

What Are Your Oral Health Goals for 2014?

There are still a few weeks left in 2013, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start thinking about your oral health goals for 2014. In fact, now’s the perfect time to start thinking about what you’d like to change and what you’d like to do differently. With early planning, you can give your smile a fresh start for the New Year.

At Smile by Design, Dr. Santos and Dr. Folck offer a wide variety of general, cosmetic, and restorative services to help you make whatever kind of change you need. Maybe all you want is a whiter smile. With Zoom! Whitening, you can brighten your teeth by six to ten shades in about an hour. Or maybe you want a smile that looks whiter and straighter. Our Virginia Beach team can help you achieve stunning results with porcelain veneers in just two appointments.

We also offer helpful restorative services, like CEREC one-visit crowns, dentures & partials, and dental implants. Other patients may just need to commit seeing Dr. Santos or Dr. Folck more regularly for checkups and cleanings.

Do you want to schedule an appointment with Smile by Design for early January? Call us today to reserve an appointment. We will listen to your goals and design a personalized treatment plan to help you achieve the smile you’re dreaming of. Dr. Santos and Dr. Folck serve patients from Virginia Beach, Fort Story, and Sandbridge.

A Beautiful Smile for the Holidays with Porcelain Veneers

The holidays are all about getting together with family and loved ones. That means lots of catching up, smiling, and laughing. Put your best foot forward this year with a more dazzling smile. And thanks to a cosmetic dental service like porcelain veneers, you can do exactly that in just two visits.

Using porcelain veneers, Dr. Santos and Dr. Folck can:

• Close gaps
• Hide stains
• Change tooth length
• Cover cracks or chips
• Whiten teeth
• Make teeth look straighter

What’s more, the process of transforming your smile with porcelain veneers is easy. It takes just two appointments, after which you can leave our Virginia Beach with the results you’ve always wanted.

Here’s what you can expect from the porcelain veneer process. First, Dr. Santos or Dr. Folck will conduct a thorough exam and oral health assessment to make sure your smile is healthy enough for the procedure. If it is, we’ll design personalized veneers based on the shade and shape of your teeth. We’ll also talk to you about the results you’d like to see.

Once we have all the information we need, we’ll prep your teeth by removing a small amount of enamel. This will let your finished porcelain veneers lie flat with your teeth. Then, after our lab has made your veneers according to our detailed instructions, we’ll apply them, completing your procedure.

Have a whiter holiday season right now with porcelain veneers from Smile by Design. Call us today to reserve your consultation. We’re happy to provide cosmetic care to patients from Virginia Beach, Fort Story, Sandbridge, and beyond.

Enhance Your Smile with Zoom! Teeth Whitening

One of the most popular cosmetic dentistry services available today is teeth whitening. With this effective service, Dr. Folck and Dr. Santos can help patients improve the appearance of stained teeth and enjoy a more dazzling smile.

But first, why do teeth darken in the first place?

It’s because the protective layer of enamel on the outside is porous. As a result, dark colored foods and drinks are among the most common causes of staining. Which ones in particular? Some of the most common include:

• Coffee
• Tea
• Red wine
• Soft drinks
• Fruit juices
• Chocolate
• Curry
• Blueberries

Tobacco use and some medications also contribute, as does aging. But with Zoom! Whitening, patients can enjoy a whiter, more attractive smile after just a single visit with our Virginia Beach cosmetic dentists. How much whiter? By as much as 10 shades.

Here’s what you can expect from your whitening appointment. First, your Virginia Beach cosmetic dentists will look at your teeth and gums to see if whitening is right for you. If it is, we’ll make sure you’re comfortable, then place a protective covering over your lips and gums. The special Zoom! Whitening gel will be applied to teeth and activated by a low-heat lamp. The gel will penetrate beneath the enamel and work on the stains you want to get rid of. The entire process only takes one hour.

Do you want to learn more about teeth whitening? Call Smile by Design in Virginia Beach for a consultation visit.

Enjoy a Beautiful, New Smile with Cosmetic Dentistry

Every patient wants to feel confident about her smile; few are born with the kind of dazzling smile you see on TV, on magazine covers, or at the movies, though. That’s why dentists like Dr. Folck and Dr. Santos of Smile by Design offer cosmetic dentistry. With our great cosmetic services, we can help patients from all around the Virginia Beach area enjoy better self-esteem and even oral health.

Our cosmetic dentistry services include:

• Tooth-colored fillings
• Zoom! Whitening
• Porcelain veneers

Depending on your needs, we may use just one of these services, or we may put together a treatment plan that combines at least two or more.

Your cosmetic dentistry procedure will begin with a consultation at our Virginia Beach dental office. Dr. Folck or Dr. Santos will complete a through oral exam and then talk to you about the goals you have for your smile. Based on what we find out, we can recommend the path that’s most right for you. Many of our services take between just one or two visits to complete.

Do you want to know more about the cosmetic services we offer? Call Smile by Design today to reserve an appointment. Every day, we’re creating beautiful smiles for patients from Virginia Beach, Fort Story, Sandbridge, and other communities.