We are in-network with most major dental insurance carriers and several smaller insurance carriers. Please visit our Insurance and Payment Options section to see some of the more common insurance companies we participate with. Feel free to contact our office to verify that we are in-network with your particular insurance plan.

Our primary patient treatment days are Monday through Thursday, although we also can see you on Friday by appointment. We’re open from 8:00am to 6:00pm on Mondays and Tuesdays, and from 7:00am to 5:00pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays. We offer these early and late appointment times so that our patients do not miss work or school. If you have questions about our office or would like to schedule an appointment, please call 316-260-6220 Monday–Friday and one of our staff members will gladly assist you.

A specific amount of time is reserved especially for you, and we strongly encourage all patients to keep their appointments. Last minute cancellations affect our schedule, staff, and other patients. If you must change your appointment, please do so two business days in advance (Monday-Friday).

If your emergency occurs after hours during the week or on the weekends, please call the regular office phone number for instructions on how to reach Dr. Howell. Please bear in mind that most dental emergencies result in only minor discomfort or inconvenience, and do not necessitate an after hours office visit. If you have severe swelling, pain, or other discomfort, please use our after-hours emergency number to contact Dr. Howell immediately. If you suspect you are having a life-threatening emergency, call 911.

Bad breath, also known as halitosis, can be an unpleasant and embarrassing condition. Reasons for bad breath my include some or all of the following:

• Dehydration and missed meals
• Diet
• Dry Mouth
• Pungent Food
• Medical Illness
• Morning Breath
• Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease)
• Poor Oral Hygiene

To help prevent bad breath, you should:

• brush your teeth and tongue twice a day with an ADA-approved fluoride toothpaste and toothbrush and use dentist-approved anti-septic mouthwashes.
• floss daily to remove food particles from between your teeth.
• maintain bi-annual dental visits.
• stop using tobacco products.
• drink water frequently.

You should brush your teeth at least twice a day with an ADA-approved soft bristle toothbrush and ADA-approved toothpaste. You should floss at least once a day. When you only brush and do not floss, you only clean part of your teeth. If plaque and tartar are not removed, they can cause tooth decay and potentially even periodontal (gum) disease. Rinse your mouth after you brush your teeth and after each meal.

Luckily most tooth decay can be prevented by improving your at-home dental care and your diet. Decay begins when plaque—a sticky, colorless film of bacteria and food debris—is left on the teeth for an extended period of time. The bacteria on your teeth eat and digest sugars from your diet. When the bacteria digest food they create an acid which is actually what breaks down your enamel. A diet high in carbohydrates or other high-sugar foods such as sodas, sweet tea, flavored coffee, candies, and fruit juice, tends to amplify the effects of tooth decay. To minimize this process, try to reduce these foods in your diet and avoid frequent snacking between meals.

Tooth whitening is a conservative and inexpensive way to dramatically improve the appearance of your teeth. Whitening (or bleaching) is a simple dental treatment used to change the color of your teeth. Your teeth are actually porous, and over time, stains (especially from smoking and drinking coffee, dark sodas, tea, and wine) become embedded in your tooth structure causing the teeth to become yellow and dull. Whether it is in-office deep whitening or take-home custom whitening trays, our office has a variety of options to fit your cosmetic concerns and budget.