Virginia beach Cosmetic and Neuromuscular Dentistry Blog - Dr. Michael Folck

Monday, June 27, 2016

Sleep Dentistry vs. Sedation Dentistry


The terms sleep dentistry and sedation dentistry are often used interchangeably but actually describe two different sedation methods. Both types of dentistry are effective for reducing dental anxiety. Depending on the severity of your anxiety and the type of procedure you need to undergo, you may be inclined to choose one over the other. The best way to determine whether sleep dentistry or sedation dentistry is right for you is to let Dr. Folck evaluate your needs.
Generally, sedation dentistry can be an ideal option for most patients and a variety of procedures. Sleep dentistry tends to be more intensive as this method will put you into an unconscious state by means of an anesthesia, much like during a medical operation. Sedation dentistry still uses the same drugs as sleep dentistry, but in much smaller doses that allow you to relax in a semi-conscious state, avoiding many of the medical risks associated with sleep dentistry.
Sometimes for patients with mild anxiety, there are also several non-medicinal methods that can help you relax for a dental procedure, such as listening to calming music before and during your visit, engaging in meditation, breathing in soothing aromas from oils, undergoing massages, and even hypnotherapy.
If you're concerned about dental procedures or have dental anxiety that keeps you from having your teeth checked, Dr. Michael Folck can help you using sedation dentistry. If you live in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, or the surrounding areas, please call (877) 206-3444 to set up a consultation.

posted by Admin at 3:39 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Cosmetic Dentistry Options

If you've been covering up your smile or purposely not smiling because of the appearance of your teeth, our Norfolk cosmetic dentist can help. With a full range of cosmetic dentistry options available to help you achieve the smile you've always wanted, Dr. Folck can correct small aesthetic problems such as slightly crooked teeth, small gaps in your smile, stained teeth, or cracked teeth, as well as larger issues such as gum disease and tooth decay that might be causing both visual and oral health problems.

If you're in good general health and you understand the benefits and limitations of cosmetic dentistry, you may be a good candidate for any of the following procedures:
  • Porcelain Veneers
  • White Composite Fillings
  • Porcelain Inlays and Onlays
  • Porcelain Crowns
  • Teeth Whitening
  • Gum Treatment
  • Dental Implants
Depending on your unique needs, you may want to target multiple problems at the same time by combining cosmetic procedures for a full smile makeover. During your initial consultation, Dr. Folck can craft an individualized plan just for you to address each of your issues in the most timely and efficient manner possible.

Whether you have concerns for your oral health or you simply desire a need an aesthetic makeover, Norfolk cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Folck will help you develop a personalized treatment plan to meet all of your dental goals. To schedule your personal cosmetic dentistry consultation, please call (877) 206-3444 or complete the form at the top of this page to set up a consultation.

posted by Admin at 4:45 PM 1 comments

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

When To Visit A Cosmetic Dentist

You visit a dentist on a regular basis to keep your teeth clean and your overall oral health in top condition. But even when your smile is healthy, it might not look the way you want it to look. It may be that your teeth are dingy from years of smoking or drinking beverages that stain. Years of wear or trauma may have left your teeth cracked or uneven. What can you do then? Enter cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Folck.
Cosmetic dentistry is an extra training program general dentists can choose to undertake in order to help you achieve the smile you've always wanted with procedures that are mainly aesthetic in nature, such as:
  • Teeth whitening - Whether you choose an in-office treatment or a take-home kit, Dr. Folck can help you whiten your teeth.
  • Dental implants - We can problems with missing teeth by implanting an artificial tooth into your jawbone for the greatest stability.
  • Dental bridges - We can also fix gaps in your smile by putting in a bridge, using the neighboring teeth to hold the artificial tooth in place.
  • Porcelain veneers - If your teeth are too stained to respond well to teeth whitening or they are cracked but in good condition, we can overlay porcelain veneers to give you the even look you want.

Whether you have concerns for your oral health or desire a smile makeover, Norfolk cosmetic dentist, Dr. Folck will help you develop a personalized treatment plan to meet your goals. If you live in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, or the surrounding areas, please call (877) 206-3444 to set up a consultation.

posted by Admin at 12:07 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

What's the difference between a general dentist and a cosmetic dentist?

If you live in Norfolk, you may be wondering about the differences between general dentists and cosmetic dentists. Over the years, dental practice has evolved, from simple pain management, to health care and now beautification. The differences between general dentists and cosmetic dentists may not be obvious at first, but learning the distinction can help you get the right kind of care.
General Dentists

The primary goal for general dentists is to keep their patient’s teeth and mouths in great health by preventive care and promoting good oral hygiene. General dentists will care for teeth that require fillings, root canals, or even pulling. With good general dentistry, you can avoid gum disease, cavities, and other oral problems, including cancer screenings.
Cosmetic Dentists

While cosmetic dentists are trained in all aspects of general dentistry, they often take on the additional training needed to provide cosmetic dental procedures as well. For cosmetic dentists, having a healthy mouth is the first step, but the ultimate goal is a healthy and beautiful smile. By using dental implants, porcelain veneers, crowns, and professional teeth whitening, the cosmetic dentist helps his patients achieve the aesthetic goals they seek.

Whether you have concerns for your oral health, or desire a smile makeover, Norfolk cosmetic dentist, Dr. Michael Folck will help you develop a personalized treatment plan to meet your goals.

If you live in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, or the surrounding areas, please call (877) 206-3444 or complete the form at the top of this page to set up a consultation.

posted by Admin at 6:47 PM 0 comments

Friday, April 29, 2016

Sedation Dentistry Options to Keep You Awake



When you hear the phrase “sedation dentistry,” you may be thinking of the sort of procedure that knocks you out completely. You might think of serious medical procedures that have major risks and drastic recovery times. In reality, however, is that most forms of sedation dentistry allow you to remain awake during the procedure while significantly relaxing you. Dr. Michael Folck is trained to offer several sedation options at his Norfolk dental practice.

Sedation dentistry can be a much-longed for solution to getting your teeth taken care of if you have dental anxiety or a fear of dental work. There are three primary types of sedation dentistry, each of which can allow you to maintain consciousness while the dentist carries out the procedure.
The main categories of sedation dentistry are:


  • Inhaled minimum sedation: When given nitrous oxide (laughing gas), you remain awake during your procedure, but you will be relaxed.
  • Oral moderate sedation: This is the type most often associated with sedation dentistry and consists of taking a prescribed medication that relaxes you to where you may not remember the procedure, you words may be slurred, and you may fall asleep but you can easily be awakened.
  • IV moderate sedation: Similar in effect to oral sedation, IV sedation administers the sedative directly to your bloodstream via an IV so the dentist can more effectively adjust your level of sedation as the procedure takes place.


You may still be nervous about dental work, but not so nervous that you want to take sedatives or other medication. In this case, you can relax using other methods, like listening to music that soothes you or watching a television program while Dr. Folck works on your teeth. Support structures can help you overcome your fear, so consider having a friend go with you, or engaging in breathing exercises during the procedure. 

Contact Norfolk dental professional Dr. Michael Folck for a sedation dentistry consultation by phone at (877) 206-3444 or by filling out the form at the top of this page. We serve patients in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and the surrounding communities.

posted by TammyS at 6:05 PM

Monday, April 25, 2016

What to Look For in a Cosmetic Dentist

Keeping up with your oral health is one of the most important things you can do. Sometimes, despite your best efforts, major cosmetic issues can arise and you might require some level of cosmetic dentistry. Finding the right Norfolk cosmetic dentist is usually dependent on your individual needs, their location and your budget.

The dental practice of Dr. Michael Folck has become a top choice due to these factors and many more. Dr. Folck provides Norfolk residents with comprehensive dental care for men, women and children, and offers a wide arrange of cosmetic dentistry procedures to assist in all of your dental needs.

Our highly trained dental staff uses state of the art procedures, effective techniques and up-to-date practices. We also listen carefully to patients and make sure we understand every part of your oral history and current needs before ever suggesting any type of procedure. No matter what issues you are experiencing, we will provide you with detailed solutions to address them, and will explain them carefully and accurately.


If you live in the Norfolk area, and have questions about cosmetic dentistry and how you can benefit from it, contact Dr. Michael Folck at (877) 206-3444 and let us tell you why Dr. Folck is the right cosmetic dentist for you!

posted by TammyS at 7:08 PM 0 comments

Thursday, March 31, 2016

More Than a Snore: Sleep Apnea's Negative Health Effects

Sleep is a vital part of life. Our bodies use sleep to rest and repair from the day. If you are not getting a good night's rest then your body is fighting an uphill battle to repair itself. Many people are not getting the rest they need because sleep apnea is standing in there way.
Sleep apnea is a chronic disorder where you temporarily stop breathing throughout the night. This can be caused by a blockage in the throat or because the brain is not sending the correct signal. It usually happens between 10 and 50 times per night.
While at first thought sleep apnea sounds like a nuisance that leads to a restless night, it has far further reaching consequences. Here are some of the dangers of sleep apnea:
·         Emotional issues such as depression, anxiety, and mood swings.
·         Memory loss.
·         Weight gain.
·         Heart complications such as heart attack, heart failure, high blood pressure, and irregular heart beats.
·         Stroke.
·         Worsening ADHD.
·         Headaches.
·         Diabetes.
The traditional sleep apnea treatment for sleep apnea is the CPAP machine, which keeps a continuous flow of air through your nose so that breathing is normalized. While the CPAP machine is still the most effective treatment, it is often unnecessary as these simple life changes can make a tremendous difference:
·         Quit smoking.
·         Limit alcohol, especially before bed.
·         Avoid certain medications.
·         Losing weight.
·         Wearing a specialized mouth guard.
The most common symptom associated with sleep apnea is loud snoring throughout the night. You may also have sleep apnea if you wake up feeling out of breath, like you are choking, or gasping for air. Also if you frequently stop breathing for long periods of time or have general restlessness you may be suffering from sleep apnea.

If you live in the Norfolk, VA area and think you may be suffering from sleep apnea, call Dr. Michael Folck's office at (877) 206-3444 to schedule a consultation.

posted by TammyS at 4:17 PM

Call or email us today to learn more about Dr. Folck, our office, and what we can do for you. Your first consultation is no-obligation so you've got nothing to lose, and plenty to gain!