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Dr. Howard
Welcome to Nelson Y. Howard, D.D.S.
On behalf of my team of highly trained professionals, I would like to personally welcome you to our website and dental office. We invite you to experience a new kind of dentistry where total quality care is provided with exceptional customer service, caring team members whose goal is your absolute well-being, state-of-the-art techniques designed for your comfort, and in a fun and relaxing environment near you. We know that your visit with us will be the most rewarding of any dental experience you have ever had. My team and I believe that people should keep their teeth for a lifetime; with a common effort between us, that goal can be achieved.
Please be aware that our ultimate success depends on your commitment to your overall health, both dental and physical. We thank you for the confidence you have placed in us and appreciate the opportunity to assist you in attaining these two important goals.
We believe every patient who comes to our dental office will leave feeling better about himself or herself as a person than when they first came in.
I have always felt that a person's smile is their "Window to the World." It is my personal goal to make the world of each person that enters my office a brighter place to be!
Nelson Y. Howard, D.D.S., A.A.A.C.D.
San Marcos’ Accredited Dentist of the AACD
Meet Dr. HowardDr. Howard is one of only 490 dentists in the world to achieve Accreditation with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, which demonstrates his commitment to clinical excellence, outstanding skill, and lifelong passion for crafting esthetic smile improvements. With over 37 years of experience in dentistry so far and thousands of hours of continuing education completed, his mastery of this field is well-known by fellow dentists and patients from all over San Marcos and beyond. In short, he is the expert to trust with all of your smile goals, from routine cleanings and smile transforming veneers to urgent emergency dentistry.
Meet Dr. Howard
A Comprehensive Dental Experience
Get Your Dream Smile
Our Cosmetic OptionsReplace Missing Teeth
About Dental ImplantsAchieve High-Tech Comfort
Discover Laser DentistryA Comprehensive Experience
See All Our Dental Services
Katy, Actual Patient
James, Actual Patient
Rosemary, Actual Patient
Andrea, Actual Patient
Complete Cosmetic & Dental Implant Care
YourDream Smile
Awaits
Over time, your teeth may need professional support to maintain the strong, confident appearance you deserve. Thankfully, Dr. Howard is more than capable of addressing even complex dental concerns, like the loss of natural dental structure. Whether you’re interested in rebuilding a complete smile with state-of-the-art dental implants or enhancing your appearance in beautifully seamless ways with cosmetic dentistry, our nearby team is ready to assist you – and exceed all of your expectations too!
Explore Our Cosmetic Services Learn More About Dental Implants
Corey, Actual Patient
Sedation Dentistry
Say Goodbye toDental Fear
Did you know that more than 75% of Americans struggle with dental fears? Ranging from mild anxiety to severe phobias, these feelings can prevent nearby patients from scheduling much-needed care. That’s why our team offers sedation dentistry as a safe and effective way to genuinely relax in the treatment chair, even during extensive procedures.
Learn More About Sedation Dentistry
Nancy, Actual Patient
We Make Dentistry Affordable
Dental Insurance Welcome& Financing Available
Dr. Howard and the rest of our dental team don’t want you to stress over the financial component of your care. So, we’re proud to offer our patients in your area two ways to make your treatment more affordable. First, we are in-network with several major PPO’s like Delta Dental Premier, Cigna, and Aetna. Second, affordable monthly financing options are available to split up the cost of larger treatment plans with little to no interest attached. Throughout the process, we will help you understand the cost and answer any questions you have.
Explore Your Financial OptionsWe Look Forward to Serving You Soon!
Whether you need a routine checkup or are interested in a specialty service, like sleep apnea treatment, our team is here to serve you! Our San Marcos office is conveniently located at 1903 W San Marcos Blvd Unit 110. We’re just down the road from Ronald Packard Pkwy, close to San Marcos High School, Albertsons, CVS, and Chase Bank. We also have a dental office in Rancho Bernardo, in case that’s a more convenient location for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Even if you want to visit, you may still have concerns about our office. That’s normal – you want to be more informed on how dental care works. Still, you may not have time to call or prefer doing personal research. Fortunately enough, our practice has you covered: Listed below are some popular dentistry questions and their respective answers. Should you read them, you’ll know what to expect from Dr. Nelson and his team. You can also visit us for a consultation for additional details.
What Level of Education is Required to Be a Dentist?
Being a U.S. dentist requires a high level of education. After all, each prospect needs a DMD or a DDS from an accredited dental school. That means they must attend three years of classroom and hands-on learning. Furthermore, acceptance into a dental school depends on having a bachelor’s degree.
At the same time, dentists must complete “continuing education hours” to keep their licenses. The idea is that this process helps dental providers maintain their skills. Aside from these hours, some dentists also earn specializations recognized by the American Dental Association. These require an extra three or more years of “dental school” training.
How Do I Find the Best Place to Get Dental Work Done?
To find the best place for your dental care, you must first define your priorities. You won’t know if a practice is good if you don’t grasp what you want from it. So, consider the needs your dentist should meet.
In particular, ask yourself: What’s important to you in dentistry? For some, matters like a dentist’s location, credentials, and safety are high concerns. Meanwhile, others prioritize whether a practice accepts their dental insurance. Ultimately, settling your values will narrow down your best potential dental provider.
Once you’ve defined your priorities, learn if a dentist offers the treatment(s) you need. Certain specialists are better choices for specific procedures. If the dentist has the right service and seems like a good fit, you can confidently choose them.
What is the Best Way to Find a Cosmetic Dentist?
Technically, “cosmetic dentistry” isn’t a dental subfield like orthodontics or pediatrics. There isn’t a formal mark that qualifies a dentist for cosmetic work . Still, you can find a good treatment provider by looking at their background.
More specifically, the best approach is to choose a dentist who belongs to a cosmetic dentistry group. They’ll have extensive knowledge and training in aesthetic dental options. For example, check whether they’re a member of the American Society for Dental Aesthetics (ASDA) or the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD).
What Do You Do If You Can't Afford a Dentist?
For starters, don’t treat dentistry as something you must give up. It’s usually quite affordable, and it offers a high value by preventing severe oral issues. Given these facts, seriously consider your budget and how dental care might fit.
All that said, there are ways to reduce the treatment costs. One option is dental insurance , which could cover a large portion of a procedure’s price. Yet another is dental financing – a service that lets you pay via low-interest monthly installments. (Our office works with CareCredit , a reputable third-party financier.) You might even check with your healthcare provider about qualifying for Medicaid or Medicare.
Have Questions? Get Answers.