At Howard County Smiles, your dentist office in Columbia, MD, we truly care about our patients. We offer a warm, friendly environment and provide advanced dentistry for the entire family. Our staff consider themselves partners in their patients’ overall health care. They understand and emphasize the connection between dental health and overall well-being.
Our dental care team is passionate about delivering the highest possible standard of care. They dedicate hours every year to continuing education and training to provide the latest treatment options.
Dr. Ray Becker and Dr. Breanna Becker spare no expense in time, technology, or effort to deliver a high standard of care. No amount of education can replace the value of using it with compassion, focusing on each patient’s needs.
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Serving Columbia, Ellicott City & Howard County Since 1989
Learn more about Howard County Smiles:
For over 40 years, Howard County Smiles has been the dental home for families throughout Columbia, Ellicott City, Elkridge, and surrounding communities. Located in the Stanford Overlook building next to Glenwoods Restaurant and convenient to Columbia Mall, our newly renovated office combines state-of-the-art technology with a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Why Columbia & Ellicott City Families Choose Howard County Smiles
At our family and cosmetic dentist office, we believe that the dental health needs of a patient are best served when the doctor and patient work as a team. We want our patients to be informed and educated about dental problems and treatment options. Informed patients make better decisions about their health and well-being.
Since 1989, Dr. Ray Becker, D.D.S., F.A.G.D., has listened to his patients’ dental health and cosmetic concerns. He responds with the best treatment options for their specific needs.
As a family dentist, he serves patients in Howard County and many surrounding areas. Now, Dr. Ray is joined by his daughter, Dr. Breanna Becker, who grew up watching her father create beautiful smiles. She combines her studio art degree with dental precision to deliver both functional and beautiful results. Together, they offer 40+ years of experience combined with fresh, next-generation expertise.
Whether you require a little dentistry or a lot, our team co-diagnoses and creates a treatment plan for every patient to make sure the patient’s individual goals are met. With the help of our highly professional staff, our dentists also follow up to address dental issues, resolve symptoms, and ensure your dental and overall health improve.
We emphasize dentistry’s essential role in maintaining oral and overall health, educating patients on the “mouth-body” connection. A nutritious diet, good oral hygiene, and a healthy lifestyle are all components of dental health and physical well-being.
Preventive Care
At our Ellicott City dental office, we believe that preventive care is the key to a healthy smile. Our goal is to help you avoid dental problems before they start. Regular check-ups and cleanings are important parts of this process. We recommend visiting us every six months for a thorough examination and a professional cleaning.
During your check-up, we will examine your teeth and gums to catch any issues early, such as cavities or gum disease. Our dental hygienists will also clean your teeth, removing plaque and tartar that regular brushing might miss.
In addition to check-ups, we offer tips on proper oral hygiene. We recommend that you brush twice a day, floss daily, and eat a balanced diet for your dental health. We can provide personalized advice to help you care for your teeth at home.
By focusing on preventive care, we aim to help you keep your teeth for a lifetime. Our friendly team is here to support you on your journey to a healthy, beautiful smile.
Advanced Dental Technology in our Columbia, MD Dentist Office
Dental technology has enabled modern dentistry to provide more accurate results with fewer side effects and less downtime. In many cases, incorporating technology can reduce the number of visits to the dentist and save patients money in the long run. We use some of the latest dental technology in our Howard County dentist office.
Laser Dentistry
Dental lasers can provide many treatments, including periodontal therapy, which helps treat gum disease. Lasers can remove infected tissue and help the gums heal. They are precise, so they can focus only on the areas that need treatment without harming the healthy parts of your mouth. Using lasers makes the treatment more comfortable and can lead to quicker healing.
CEREC
Same-day restorations are possible thanks to CAD/CAM technology. This advanced system lets dentists design and create crowns, veneers, and other restorations right in the office. With CAD/CAM technology, your restoration is completed in a single visit. This means you can leave with a new tooth on the same day.
Digital Dental Impressions
These impressions use special blue light to accurately capture all the tiny details of your tooth’s surface. This technology creates a highly accurate 3D digital model of your teeth. Instead of using messy molds, the digital scan is quick and clean. It gives your dentist a detailed view of your teeth. This helps us create better-fitting crowns, bridges, or other dental restorations.
Digital X-rays
These X-rays are much safer because they significantly reduce radiation exposure compared to traditional options. They also provide clearer images, so your dentist to see more details. Plus, digital x-rays are faster, and the images are instantly available on a computer screen, making your dental visit quicker and more comfortable.
Anesthesia Wand
The anesthesia wand is often called a “magic” wand because it doesn’t look like a regular needle. Instead, it’s small and less scary for patients. The wand also works better because it delivers anesthesia slowly and evenly, making the whole process almost painless. Many people find it more comfortable than traditional injections, helping to ease their fear of getting numb at the dentist.
Our office uses clinical laboratory services from OralDNA Labs® to give our patients the best oral health information possible. OralDNA Labs® is a specialty diagnostics company. It provides reliable, definitive, and cost-effective clinical tests. These tests guide oral health professionals in detecting disease at an earlier, more treatable stage.
Advanced Dental Services in Columbia, MD
Dr. Ray Becker was the first dentist in Maryland to use CEREC technology in 1991. Since then, he’s become an international authority on advanced dental technology, helping develop the systems other dentists use and teaching dentists worldwide how to use them.
Dr. Becker doesn’t just use advanced technology – he helps create it. As a member of Sirona’s development team since 2003 and the sole international certifying instructor for Total BioPAK, Dr. Becker brings technology to our practice that most dentists have never even heard of.
Tekscan uses special sensors and technology to measure how your teeth come together and how your jaw moves. By analyzing these patterns, Tekscan helps dentists see if there are any issues with your bite or jaw alignment. This information is crucial for finding the right treatment to relieve pain and improve your jaw function.
Get a Dental Exam Today
Howard County Smiles offers treatment for children and adults. Whether you’re looking for a family dentist in Columbia or need a full mouth reconstruction, Dr. Becker can help. Call today for care in our Ellicott City, MD dental office at (410) 415-9013. You can also schedule an appointment online.
