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

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Recovery Time with Laser Dentistry

Traditional dental procedures can require some recovery time. With recent innovations in dental technology, this time has almost been eliminated. Laser dentistry is not only more precise and efficient than traditional methods, it is virtually pain free and reduces instances of complications associated with some dental procedures.

How Laser Dentistry Reduces Recovery Time

Laser dentistry works to reduce recovery time and post-operative discomfort in several ways including:

• Eliminating the need for sutures – because lasers work to both cut and cauterize at the same time, there is almost never any need for sutures after a procedure
• Causing less shock to your mouth – traditional forms of dentistry require drills and other instruments that can rattle and apply pressure to your jaw. A laser, by contrast, will not present these problems, thereby reducing strain on your muscles and bones
• Minimizing damage to surrounding tissue and teeth – laser dentistry is incredibly precise. With great precision there is less risk of damage to surrounding tissue and teeth, which increases recovery time and also reduces additional complications

Lasers also reduce instances of infection and excessive post-operative bleeding, making them an ideal choice for many of our patients.

Dr. Folck is devoted to providing our patients with the most advanced technology available today. His use of lasers in both general and cosmetic dental procedures allows him to provide the safest, most effective procedures with minimal risks and substantially faster recovery times.

If you live in or around Portsmouth, Norfolk, Hampton, Chesapeake, Newport News, or Virginia Beach, Virginia and are interested in learning more about laser dentistry procedures, please contact Michael P. Folck DDS to schedule an initial consultation.

posted by Katie at 3:22 PM 5 comments

Monday, June 20, 2011

Soft Tissue Dental Lasers

Dr. Folck is devoted to providing our patents with the safest, fastest, and most pain-free dental solutions available today. In recent years, soft tissue laser procedures have become increasing popular because they are able to penetrate soft tissue while sealing blood vessels and nerve endings. The result is a safe, effective procedure with virtually no post-operative discomfort.

Soft tissue lasers can be used for a variety of dental procedures including:

• Periodontal treatment
• Correcting gummy smiles
• Crown lengthening
• Root canals
• Creating soft tissue folds to make dentures more comfortable

Laser dentistry reduces the need for sutures after a procedure as well as minimizing risks of bacterial infection. Best of all, soft tissue lasers do not damage surrounding tissue, reducing instances of complications.

Odyssey® Diode Laser
Dr. Folck has recently begun to use the Odyssey® Diode Laser from Ivoclar Vivadent, Inc. This laser represents the latest advancement in diode laser technology. The Odyssey® Diode Laser provides great ease of operation for Dr. Folck, while offering our patients the most precise, sophisticated technology available.

With this new soft tissue laser, Dr. Folck is able to offer the highest quality, safest and most painless procedures possible today. Because it cuts and coagulates at the same time, this laser provides the lowest chance of infection, bleeding, and other complications.

If you live in or around Portsmouth, Norfolk, Hampton, Chesapeake, Newport News, or Virginia Beach, Virginia and are interested in learning more about your options for soft tissue laser dentistry, please contact Michael P. Folck DDS to schedule an initial consultation.

posted by Katie at 3:21 PM 1 comments

Friday, June 17, 2011

Have a Chipped Tooth?

Teeth can become chipped for a variety of reasons. When a tooth is chipped, it can impact both the appearance of your smile and the function of your tooth. With tooth bonding, Dr. Folck can provide structural support and restore beauty in one short office visit.

Tooth Bonding

Tooth bonding, also known as dental bonding, is a composite resin filling that is applied to both the front and the back of teeth that are impacted by:
• Chips
• Cracks
• Gaps
• Discoloration

Tooth bonding can also be used to resize and shape teeth that cause cosmetic and functional issues.

To perform this procedure, Dr. Folck may apply resin to your teeth in layers. In between each layer, a special curing light is used to harden the resin in a matter of minutes. The resin bonds to your tooth enamel, eliminating cosmetic defects and restoring strength to your tooth.

Once the final layer of resin has been applied, Dr. Folck will polish, shape, and sculpt the resin to precisely match your adjacent teeth. The entire procedure takes around two hours, and results can last for well over ten years.

Tooth bonding is an ideal solution for patients with chipped teeth who are looking for a quick and painless way to restore function and beauty to their smiles. However, the solution may not be as cosmetically pleasing or long-lasting as some alternatives, such as porcelain veneers.

If you live in or around Portsmouth, Norfolk, Hampton, Chesapeake, Newport News, or Virginia Beach, Virginia and are interested in learning more about chipped tooth correction, please contact Michael P. Folck DDS to schedule an initial consultation.

posted by Katie at 11:20 AM 2 comments

Thursday, June 16, 2011

How Your Bite can Cause Headaches

One out of every eight Americans suffers from chronic headaches and migraines. Commonly, people look to prescription medications to cure these painful occurrences. However, mounting evidence suggests that one of the frequently overlooked causes of headaches is a misaligned bite. Pain medications may treat the symptoms, but they cannot alleviate the cause. Only by working with a neuromuscular dentist like Dr. Michael Folck can the underlying issue be corrected.

When your bite is not aligned properly your jaw is forced to work harder to provide its basic functions. Tension on muscles is a leading cause of dull, throbbing headaches. Indications that muscle strain in your jaw is causing your headaches include:

• Pain behind the eyes
• Sore, tired jaw muscles
• Clicking or popping noises when you chew

These symptoms often point to TMD, an easily treatable dental problem that, if left undiagnosed, can lead to a lifetime of pain and discomfort.

In addition, overactive muscles can impinge on nearby nerves and blood vessels. Pinched nerves can cause numbness, tingling, and pain anywhere in the face. When your circulation is affected by a restricted blood vessel, it also lead to headaches.

Tension headaches and circulation problems can also trigger migraines.

Treating Headaches with Dentistry
Treating TMD requires realigning your bite into its optimal position. To do this, Dr. Folck will use a special machine to relax the muscles in your jaw enabling him to determine the correct position for your bite. Once determined, TMD treatment options including orthotics, orthodontics, and smile reconstruction will be discussed with you. The treatment option most suited to you will depend on your particular needs, and will be determined during your consultation with Dr. Folck.

If you live in or around Portsmouth, Norfolk, Hampton, Chesapeake, Newport News, or Virginia Beach, Virginia and are suffering from chronic headaches, please contact Michael P. Folck DDS to schedule an initial consultation and evaluation for TMD.

posted by Katie at 3:17 PM 1 comments

Monday, May 30, 2011

Are Braces Painful?

Fear of pain keeps many people from getting the orthodontic treatment they need to protect their teeth. This fear is largely based on outdated methods. Modern braces may cause some mild discomfort, but the pain associated with braces from years ago is little more than a memory.

Prior to placing braces, spacers will need to be placed between your molars to provide a space for the brace anchors. Most patients agree that the discomfort associated with spacer placing is the worst part of braces. Even as the worst, this discomfort, in most cases, does not even require an over the counter pain reliever. Spacers are not required for wireless braces such as Invisalign.

Once your braces are in place, they will be gradually adjusted over the course of your treatment period. These adjustments are meant to gently move your teeth into their optimal position, not to force them into that position quickly. Some mild discomfort may be present for a day or two after each adjustment but this pain is minimal and does not usually require any sort of medication.

If you choose Invisalign, there may be some discomfort with each new set of aligner trays. Like metal braces adjustments, this is more of a discomfort than a pain, and generally subsides within one to two days.

If you experience serious pain with either braces or Invisalign, Dr. Folck will work with you to help you manage your pain.

If you live in or around Portsmouth, Norfolk, Hampton, Chesapeake, Newport News, or Virginia Beach, Virginia and are interested in learning more about how braces and Invisalign can help give you the smile of your dreams, please contact Michael P. Folck DDS to schedule an initial consultation.

posted by Katie at 5:15 PM 1 comments

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Is Invisalign Right for Me?

Invisalign is a series of clear plastic aligners that works to gently reposition your teeth. In many instances, Invisalign can produce results in as few as six months. Invisalign has been proven effective in correcting orthodontic issues such as:

• Crowded teeth
• Gapped teeth
• Rotated teeth
• Malocclusions including overbite, underbite, and crossbite

While effective in treating these problems, Invisalign may not be ideally suited to every patient. Invisalign is effective in correcting some orthodontic problems, but more severe problems may require traditional wire and bracket braces.

Who Benefits Most from Invisalign?

Invisalign has become a popular alternative to braces for adults and older children who find the appearance of traditional braces unbecoming. Invisalign offers other advantages over braces such as making tasks like eating and cleaning your teeth easier as well.

The best way to determine candidacy for Invisalign is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Folck. Invisalign offers an ideal solution to many of our patients, but may not be right for you. If you are not an ideal candidate for Invisalign, Dr. Folck will discuss other orthodontic solutions with you. Everyone deserves a strong, straight smile. Dr. Folck will help you find the solution that will work best for your lifestyle and needs.

If you live in or around Portsmouth, Norfolk, Hampton, Chesapeake, Newport News, or Virginia Beach, Virginia and are interested in learning if Invisalign is right for you, please contact Michael P. Folck DDS to schedule an initial consultation.

posted by Katie at 5:07 PM 1 comments

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Sick of Your Denture Routine?

For a number of years dentures were the only option for replacing missing teeth. Still popular today, they are far from the only solution. In fact, they aren’t even one of the best solutions for a majority of patients.

Dentures are a hassle. Not only do they need to be removed for proper cleaning, they can slip at inopportune times; interfering with speaking and chewing, and causing awkward situations. Moreover, missing teeth replaced with dentures do not provide additional support for your jaw. This means that over time, your dentures can actually cause your jaw to shrink, resulting in bite and alignment issues.

Alternatives to Dentures

Advancements in dentistry have brought about solutions for missing teeth that are functionally superior and more aesthetically pleasing than dentures. These new methods include:
• Dental bridges – a bridge made of porcelain crowns that provide a stable anchor for a false tooth. Using dental bridges, Dr. Folck can effectively replace several teeth at once and provide a seamless, functionally superior smile.
• Dental implants – artificial tooth roots made of titanium secured into your jaw that provide a base for a false tooth. Dental implants provide the most permanent and structurally sound option for tooth replacement. As an added benefit, dental implants strengthen your jaw and prevent deterioration of your jawbone.

If you have tired of your denture routine, now is the time to talk to Dr. Folck about tooth replacement options. Taking your needs into consideration, Dr. Folck can provide you with a stronger, more beautiful, hassle-free smile.

If you live in or around Portsmouth, Norfolk, Hampton, Chesapeake, Newport News, or Virginia Beach, Virginia and are looking for an alternative to dentures, please contact Michael P. Folck DDS to schedule an initial consultation.

posted by Katie at 10:04 AM 4 comments

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