Howard Family Dental

Howard Family Dental Now Offering New Services
Family. Friendly. Dental. These are the priorities that Howard Family Dental focuses on to ensure that the entire family gets the best dental experience possible. Relationships with patients are valued and Howard Family Dental goes the extra mile to make sure each one feels like they are a part of the family. The team of doctors and hygienists at the Beaufort office want to be sure each visit is exceptional for the patient. Each patient’s appointment and treatment plan are personalized to help each one achieve their oral health goals and ensure they develop and maintain healthy oral health.
Total body health starts in your mouth. Oral care is connected to everything from brain function to immunity. What is going on in your mouth can directly reflect what is happening elsewhere in your body.  Conditions such as gum disease can be precursors to serious issues such as cognitive decline and even diabetes. The dentists at Howard Family Dental are dedicated to each patient and his or her oral health and overall wellbeing.
New to the practice is Dr. Ian Barnard. He joined Dr. Isaac Hankla in practice at Howard Family Dental Beaufort in February of this year. Dr. Barnard is a graduate of Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in animal science and a double minor in international studies and biological studies.  He then graduated from Indiana University School of Dentistry. He also completed an intensive 12 month Hospital General Practice Residency program aimed at treating medically compromised patients, in addition to becoming certified in IV sedation. This certification has allowed the Beaufort location of Howard Family Dentistry to expand its services and they now offer IV sedation to their patients.
So just exactly what is IV sedation? It is very common for patients to feel anxious about going to the dentist, especially if the visit involves a surgical dental procedure. For those patients, in particular, IV (intravenous) sedation is a safe procedure option to help patients relax and have a more comfortable experience. After the initial consultation, an IV sedation appointment begins with the placement of an IV into the vein of the patient’s arm or hand. Medications quickly flow through the IV, which help the patient become comfortable and calm during the dental procedure. While patients usually are awake and conscious during IV sedation, many doze off or even sleep through the procedure. This is why sedation dentistry earned the nickname of “sleep dentistry.” “IV sedation is a new, convenient service that I am now offering at Howard Family Dental in Beaufort to better serve the needs of our patients, especially those with dental anxiety,” says Dr. Barnard.
Dr. Barnard has lived in South Carolina for over the past 2 years, and recently moved to the Beaufort area with his wife, Angela, in February of this year. He states, “We live in downtown Beaufort, which has always been our dream. I love to travel, spend time outdoors, go for walks around downtown Beaufort and on Hunting Island Beach. I love to spend time with friends and family, and learn new things.”
Howard Family Dental sees patients of all ages and offers general dentistry including crowns, bridges, fillings, root canals, oral surgery and more. They also offer cosmetic dentistry such as veneers and teeth whitening. While the majority of patients are seeking routine care, it is worth noting that Howard Family Dental also sees patients that need emergency treatment due to pain.
One of the services offered that is gaining popularity at Howard Family Dental is dental implants. Dental implants are a treatment option used to replace missing or failing teeth and are considered to be a more comfortable, natural and convenient alternative to dentures and bridges. Now perceived to be the new standard of care for tooth replacement, implants are a popular and effective long-term solution for people who suffer from dental disease and/or missing teeth.  Dental implants look and feel like natural teeth, especially when it comes to day-to-day functions such as eating, smiling and speaking.  They start the procedure process with an initial consultation to ensure the patient is a candidate for dental implants. During the procedure, a titanium implant (which resembles a small post) is surgically and securely placed into the jawbone beneath the patient’s gum and acts as an artificial tooth root. A connector, known as an abutment, is then placed on top of the implant to hold and support the crown or denture.  While IV sedation is not required for placing dental implants, it is recommended. Due to the extensiveness and time involved in placing dental implants, IV sedation is an excellent way to minimize pain and anxiety.
Howard Family Dental Beaufort believes everyone deserves to have a healthy, confident smile and their goal is to educate every patient that walks through their door to help them reach their optimal oral health.  The office is conveniently located on Robert Smalls Parkway in the Beaufort Plaza Shopping Center just 10 miles from Parris Island.  Call their office or visit their website to schedule an appointment Monday through Friday from 7am until 4pm.