R. L. Howell, DDS
& Associates, PC
102 Western Ave.
Suffolk, Virginia 23434
Ph. 866.515.4235
Fx. 757.538.9419
5837 Harbour View Blvd.
Suffolk, Virginia 23435
(757)686-3636 (phone)
(757)686-3737 (fax)
At R.L. Howell, D.D.S. & Associates, we understand how important first impressions can be — and the impression that a beautiful smile can convey. For this reason, we are proud to provide our patients with a wide variety of cosmetic dentistry procedures to help bring out the beauty in their smiles. It is our aim to treat each and every patient like family. During a consultation at our office, we will take the time to carefully listen to your cosmetic goals in order to determine the treatment or treatments that will serve you best.
If you are considering cosmetic dentistry, a consultation at our office may be your fist step to achieving an amazing new smile. To meet with a cosmetic dentist, contact R.L. Howell, D.D.S. & Associates today.
The ZOOM!® teeth whitening system provides our patients with dramatic results and amazing smiles they can be proud of. Over time, teeth can become dull and stained. Through the use of ZOOM!® bleaching technology, our dentists help patients reverse years of discoloration in a single office visit. During the ZOOM!® procedure, a hydrogen-peroxide gel is carefully applied to the tooth enamel. The gel is then exposed to a special light that activates ZOOM!® whitening agents. After about an hour, the gel is removed and a short fluoride treatment is performed. ZOOM!® whitening makes it quick and easy to achieve a bright, attractive smile. Results are visible immediately and, with at-home touchups and proper maintenance, can last indefinitely. In addition to ZOOM!® whitening, we have just begun to provide the Sapphire™ bleaching technique.
Porcelain veneers are wafer thin shells of porcelain that are attached to the outside of teeth. They are incredibly versatile for treating a number of cosmetic concerns. Because porcelain veneers reflect light much like real tooth enamel, our patients can achieve amazingly white — yet completely natural-looking — smiles. Porcelain veneers are specially shaped for each patient, and they allow gaps between teeth to be closed, teeth to be lengthened, and chips and cracks to be concealed.
The procedure takes several office visits. It begins with the removal of the thin surface of the front of the teeth — in place of which the porcelain veneers will be applied. An impression of your teeth is then made, and this is used to create your veneers. After the veneers are created, a cosmetic dentist at R.L. Howell, D.D.S. & Associates will determine if they fit properly or if any modifications need to be made. After just the right look has been achieved, your veneers will be bonded permanently in place and you can leave our office with an amazing new smile!
Lumineers®
Lumineers® is a highly effective alternative to traditional porcelain veneers. Dr. Ralph L. Howell and his staff are happy to provide their patients with attractive new smiles through Lumineers®. The placement of Lumineers® differs from the placement of traditional porcelain veneers in that the front surface of teeth does not have to be removed. Instead, Lumineers® uses contact-lens-thin porcelain wafers that are placed on the front surface of teeth. This is done without the need for grinding or shaving of the tooth surface, as in traditional porcelain veneers. Lumineers® is yet another excellent option for those seeking beautifully straight and dazzlingly white teeth through treatment at our practice.
Dental bonding is a quick and painless way to repair cracked and chipped teeth. It is also an excellent option for reshaping and straightening misaligned teeth. During the dental bonding procedure, the surface of the tooth is first lightly textured. This texturing, along with the application of a special liquid, helps the bonding material take hold. Once these preparations are made, a member of our staff carefully applies and then shapes the bonding resin. A special light is then used to dry the bonding material, and the bonded tooth is polished to match the surrounding teeth.
Tooth-colored fillings are an excellent alternative to older silver-amalgam fillings. Tooth-colored filling allow the repair of cavities and other forms of tooth decay with fillings that are virtually indistinguishable from the natural tooth surface. The advances in modern dental techniques and materials used at our practice allow our patients a multitude of options to help them achieve more pleasing smiles. With tooth colored-fillings, you are able to obtain a more natural look when you laugh, talk, and smile.
With the Invisalign® system, our office offers patients a virtually invisible alternative to traditional braces. The Invisalign® system gradually repositions teeth with a series of custom-molded, clear aligners. With Invisalign®, the need for unsightly and uncomfortable metal braces is eliminated.
Our adult patients who would like to straighten their teeth and achieve the amazing smile they’ve always dreamed of no longer need to feel like they are putting their lives on hold with a silver smile. An experienced Invisalign® expert at R.L. Howell, D.D.S. & Associates can help you determine if this revolutionary way to straighten teeth is right for you.
By providing complete smile makeovers, our staff is proud to help patients achieve a beautiful smile and increase their self-confidence. With a full range of the latest treatments and techniques, the experienced cosmetic dentists at R.L. Howell, D.D.S. & Associates have the expertise to determine the combination of procedures that can properly — and many times dramatically — improve your smile.
A smile lift can reduce excess gum tissue and lessen what is sometimes known as a “gummy smile.” A gum lift evens the gum line by reducing gum tissue that covers teeth and gives the appearance of an excessively pink smile. This minimally invasive procedure is performed with a laser, and recovery time — depending on the extent of the procedure — can be as little as a few days. Many patients choose to have porcelain veneers placed along with their gum lift procedure for dramatically beautiful results.
If you would like to learn more about our many cosmetic dentistry procedures, contact R.L. Howell, D.D.S. & Associates today for a consultation. It is our aim to treat each and every patient like family.