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)
R.L. Howell, D.D.S. & Associates has served the Suffolk community with exceptional dentistry since 1959. Because we believe oral health is a vital part of a person’s well-being, our staff receives continuous education regarding the latest procedures and techniques in general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry. Our objective is not only to provide patients with healthy and amazing looking smiles, but also to treat each patient like family.
If you would like to receive dental care with kindness, comfort, and compassion, contact R.L. Howell, D.D.S. & Associates today. We will be happy to provide you with additional information or schedule an appointment.
Restorative dentistry offers patients the opportunity to reverse and repair damage that can cause pain, discomfort, and embarrassment. At R.L. Howell, D.D.S. & Associates, our experienced dentists offer a full range of restorative procedures. We will discuss all your options with you in determining the treatment that will suit you best.
Dental crowns can help restore, strengthen, and protect damaged teeth while allowing patients to dramatically improve their smiles. A dental crown is fitted over an existing tooth and is made of porcelain or other materials. Our staff ensures that each crown is precisely fitted for the most beneficial result. At R.L. Howell, D.D.S. & Associates, durable, natural-looking dental crowns provide patients with amazing results.
Dental bridges offer patients at R.L. Howell, D.D.S. & Associates a long-lasting, natural-looking option for replacing missing teeth and a more durable alternative to partial dentures. A dental bridge consists of one or more false teeth and two porcelain crowns. During the procedure, porcelain crowns are carefully molded to fit over the teeth on either side of the empty space. The porcelain crowns are then cemented in place with the replacement tooth securely attached between them for a highly functional and attractive replacement. Each of our dental bridges are fabricated to match the color of your existing teeth.
Inlays and onlays provide our patients with the ability to effectively restore teeth that have moderate decay while still maintaining as much natural tooth structure as possible. If a tooth is decayed or fractured and a long-term, durable restoration is needed, an inlay or onlay can be placed on only the top portion of the tooth to secure and strengthen it. The difference between inlays and onlays lies in the amount of tooth surface that is replaced. An inlay replaces only one cusp (the pointed or rounded part of a tooth's biting surface) while onlays cover more — sometimes as much as the entire top portion of the tooth. The removal of the damaged area of a tooth and the subsequent placement of an inlay or onlay can also prevent the need for a more involved root canal procedure in the future.
At R.L. Howell, D.D.S. & Associates, we provide full and partial dentures to our patients who would like to regain fully functional and aesthetically pleasing smiles. Tooth loss can result from periodontal disease, tooth decay, or injury. If you have lost one or more of your teeth and are seeking a solution, you can trust the experienced and caring professionals at R.L. Howell, D.D.S. & Associates to advise you on the right course of action. We take pride in the fact that our full and partial dentures allow patients to once again eat, speak, and laugh with confidence.
Dental implants are the very latest advancement in the replacement of missing teeth. If you are missing one or more teeth, dental implants can provide a permanent, natural looking solution as well as relief from the possible embarrassment and inconvenience associated with dentures.
The dental implant procedure begins with the placement of titanium posts in the jawbone by a dental surgeon. Once placed, the posts are permanently fused to the bone structure through a process known as osseointegration — or the direct structural and functional connection between living bone and an artificial implant. The implants provide the strongest possible structural foundation for the next step: the design and placement of natural-looking replacement teeth.
At R.L. Howell, D.D.S. & Associates, each of our dentists is highly experienced in fashioning replacement teeth that are both incredibly strong and aesthetically appealing. Once your replacement teeth are fashioned, they are securely placed on the implanted posts for a smile that looks, feels, and functions like your natural teeth.
To speak with a member of our staff regarding restorative dentistry, contact R.L. Howell, D.D.S. & Associates today.
General Dentistry
Regular dental care is an important aspect of any smile. Through general dentistry at R.L. Howell, D.D.S. & Associates, out experienced team of dentists can help you maintain healthy teeth and gums for your entire life.
In cases where a tooth is too extensively damaged to be repaired with the use of a filling or a crown, extraction may be necessary. One of our experienced dentists will remove the decayed tooth with the least amount of discomfort possible, and explore options for replacement.
Healthy gums are the foundation of a functional smile. Because periodontal disease is the most common cause of tooth loss in adults, we at R.L. Howell, D.D.S. & Associates work diligently to help ensure that our patients maintain healthy gums.
At R.L. Howell, D.D.S. & Associates, we provide effective root canal therapies in order to prevent tooth loss and ensure that our patients maintain healthy and functional smiles. The center of each tooth contains pulp tissue which provides the tooth with nutrients. When a tooth is diseased or injured, the pulp can die, at which point it needs to be treated to prevent loss of the tooth. The experienced dentists at R.L. Howell, D.D.S. & Associates provide root canal therapy with the least amount of discomfort possible, removing the pulp and sealing the tooth with a durable and natural looking dental crown.
Sealants are offered at R.L. Howell, D.D.S. & Associates as part of a child’s complete preventative dental care. A dental sealant is a thin plastic coating that, when applied to back teeth (molars), helps prevent decay in susceptible areas. Ensuring the health of molars is especially important for children between the ages of 5 and 15. During this time, the first the second molars appear and can be protected by sealants before decay has a chance to develop. Sealants are quickly and easily applied by first cleaning the surface of the tooth and then painting the sealant on the tooth and allowing it to dry. One sealant application typically lasts between 5 and 10 years.
A temporomandibular joint (or, TMJ) connects the jawbone to the skull on either side of the head. TMJ syndrome is a medical problem related to these joints that can be caused by a number of factors, including trauma, disease, or everyday wear. TMJ problems can cause head and neck pain, a jaw that is locked in position or difficult to open, and biting issues. There are several different treatments for TMJ syndrome. At R.L. Howell, D.D.S. & Associates, your individual case will be carefully analyzed to determine the best course of action.
Knowing you have fresh breath can help you feel more comfortable in social situations. Because we know fresh breath is an important part of every patient’s dental care, we offer fresh breath control techniques at our office that address the causes of odor — instead of simply covering it up temporarily.
Sleep apnea is a disorder characterized by a pause in natural breathing while a person sleeps. Sufferers of sleep apnea are typically unaware that a pause in breath has occurred. Sleep apnea is usually noticed by the person's partner or discovered by a medical professional when addressing daytime fatigue. At R.L. Howell, D.D.S. & Associates, we work to relieve patients of the sleep disturbances and possibly dangerous health effects of sleep apnea by keeping the airway open with the use of specific oral appliances that allow deep, relaxed breathing throughout the night.
At R.L. Howell, D.D.S. & Associates, it is our aim to provide each patient with healthy teeth and gums throughout his or her lifetime. It is therefore beneficial to begin preventing tooth decay and damage from a young age. Our caring dental professionals are well versed in the special considerations that must be taken to ensure children receive proper dental care and practice appropriate dental hygiene.
The two best solutions for preventing tooth decay and ensuring that you maintain health teeth and gums are simple: regular oral exams and professional cleanings. By seeing our dentists for regularly scheduled exams and cleanings, you are much more likely to avoid serious dental complications in the future.
For the latest in general and restorative dental treatment performed with kindness and compassion, contact R.L. Howell, D.D.S. & Associates today. Our aim is to treat you like family.