Dr. Elizabeth Duling offers comprehensive dental services for patient’s oral health needs in Owens Cross Roads, AL. She uses advanced techniques and modern dental technology to help patients restore their smiles. With her experienced dental team, Dr. Duling works with patients of all ages to restore, enhance, and maintain lasting dental health. She welcomes patients’ questions about their treatment options and current dental concerns.
The health and stability of your smile play an important role in your overall physical health and quality of life. Keeping your teeth and gums healthy allows you to eat, speak, and confidently enjoy life. Owens Cross Roads dentist Dr. Duling is committed to working with patients individually to minimize their risk of decay and gum disease, taking the time to get to know them and understand their unique risk factors.
Dental Services in Owens Cross Roads, AL
We offer a wide range of cosmetic, general, and restorative dental treatments to meet your needs. These treatments are designed to help restore the function of your teeth, improve the appearance of your smile, and protect your oral health. Whether you want to repair damaged teeth, enhance the beauty of your smile, or prevent common dental problems, our team is here to provide expert care tailored to you.
If you have a tooth that’s chipped, cracked, or missing, we can repair it with treatments like crowns or dental implants. For those who want to improve their smile’s appearance, we offer teeth whitening, veneers, and other options to enhance your look. We also focus on preventive care. We help you you avoid common problems like cavities and gum disease with regular check-ups and cleanings.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Are you unhappy with your smile? If you are in good oral health but want to change the way your teeth and gums look, call our office. Our dentists help patients improve their smiles with cosmetic dentistry treatments:
- Botox and Dermal Fillers: Dr. Duling offers Botox, dermal fillers, and PRF facials to smooth out the appearance of the skin. Botox can also treat painful symptoms of TMD, like headaches and facial pain. These injections reduce facial tension.
- Clear Braces: Six Month Smiles, Invisalign, and ClearCorrect offer a more modern and conservative way to straighten crooked and misaligned teeth. All three treatments are designed to be more comfortable and less noticeable than traditional braces. They also reduce the need for frequent adjustments and help maintain good oral hygiene during treatment.
- Porcelain Veneers: Tooth veneers are thin shells of porcelain ceramic bonded to the front of teeth. They address damaged and stained teeth. Because we color-match these veneers to natural teeth, they blend in with your natural smile.
- Dental Bonding: A more cost-effective alternative to veneers, tooth bonding uses resin bonded to the tooth enamel. Dental bonding can treat tooth chips, cracks, fractures, and staining. This cosmetic treatment offers quick, effective care.
General Dentistry
Whether you’ve experienced dental trauma, struggle with dental anxiety, or need routine care for your family, we can help. General dentistry solutions keep your teeth and gums healthy. These preventive services include:
- Custom Mouthguard: Compared to store-bought mouthguards, our professional mouthguards fit precisely. Sports mouthguards protect teeth from injury and restorations from damage. We provide mouthguards for children and adults.
- Emergency Dentistry: If you have dental trauma or a broken restoration, we can schedule an emergency appointment soon. We also treat toothaches, knocked-out teeth, and bleeding gums. Same-day dental care can help prevent further problems.
- Family Dentistry: Dr. Duling and her team help educate parents about how to care for their children’s teeth. We also provide age-appropriate dental care for patients of all ages.
- Sedation Dentistry: We provide sedation for complex dental treatments. It also benefits patients with dental fear or anxiety. Under sedation, you feel relaxed and comfortable.
- Tooth Extraction: If you have an impacted wisdom tooth, infected teeth, or broken teeth, they may require extraction. Our office provides comfortable tooth removal. We can help patients with sturdy dental implants if they need a restoration.
Restorative Dentistry
Dental restorations and restorative care help remove infections, replace missing teeth, and treat jaw and bite problems. If you have dental problems that make it hard to eat, speak, or even sleep, we’re here to help. Learn more about our restorative services:
- Dental Bridge: Patients with multiple missing teeth benefit from dental bridges, which are removable or fixed prosthetics. Traditional bridges use natural teeth for support. However, we can secure bridges with dental implants for a more stable restoration.
- Dental Crowns: Dental crowns fully cover damaged or weakened teeth. They can also cap off dental implants. Dr. Duling can provide same-day dental crowns for patients with CEREC.
- Dental Implants: Dental implants consist of a titanium post, abutment, and crown. They can replace a single missing tooth or multiple teeth. In addition, they can secure dentures or dental bridges.
- Dentures and Partials: Do you have full arches of missing teeth? Dentures are the right restoration for you. Full or partial dentures replace consecutive missing teeth or full arches. Like dental bridges, dentures may be supported by dental implants.
- Gum Disease Treatment: Gum disease is a bacterial infection that inflames the gums. Early gum treatments include routine professional cleanings. Scaling and root planing can clean around and beneath the gums to combat symptoms of gum disease.
- Sleep Apnea: Do you snore or wake up during the night? You may have sleep apnea. It blocks the airway and is especially dangerous for patients with heart problems. Dr. Duling can treat mild sleep apnea with oral appliances.
- TMJ Treatment: Damage to the TMJ often leads to jaw and facial pain. We’re here to help. Custom oral appliances and even Botox in our office can prevent tooth wear and TMD pain.
Dental Services FAQs
What are the signs that I may need TMJ treatment instead of general dental care?
If you have persistent jaw pain, frequent headaches, earaches, clicking or popping sounds in your jaw, or trouble opening your mouth fully, you might need TMJ treatment. Occasional jaw discomfort is normal, but persistent pain or limited movement usually indicates a more serious issue. Your dentist will check your jaw alignment, bite, and joint movement to decide the best treatment.
Do dental bonding and veneers require special care to maintain their appearance?
Bonding and veneers don’t need complicated care, but avoiding stains helps them last longer. Brush gently, floss daily, and avoid biting into hard foods or objects, such as ice or pens. Bonding is more prone to staining, so limit your intake of coffee, tea, and red wine to keep them looking their best. Regular dental visits help maintain their appearance over time.
Is sedation dentistry safe for older adults or those with underlying health conditions?
Yes, sedation dentistry is safe for older adults or people with health conditions, but your dentist will carefully review your medical history first. Conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or certain medications may influence which sedation method is safest. Dentists customize sedation based on your health and comfort, ensuring you feel relaxed without unnecessary risks.
Can I switch from traditional dentures to implant-supported dentures later on?
Many people start with traditional dentures and later upgrade to implant-supported ones. Your dentist will first check the density of your jawbone to ensure you have enough support. Even if bone loss has occurred, bone grafting can often rebuild it, making implants possible. Upgrading provides more stability, comfort, and improved chewing function.
Is dental bonding a permanent solution for chipped or stained teeth?
Dental bonding is effective, but it isn’t permanent. It usually lasts 5 to 10 years. Bonding can chip, stain, or wear down over time, especially if you bite into hard foods or drink staining beverages. It’s easy to repair or replace, making it a convenient choice. For longer-lasting results, we might recommend veneers or crowns instead.
What are the benefits of choosing implant-supported bridges over traditional ones?
Implant-supported bridges are stronger and more stable than traditional bridges. They don’t require grinding down healthy teeth, preserving more of your natural tooth structure. Implants also help prevent bone loss by acting like natural tooth roots. Overall, they provide better chewing ability, comfort, and durability than traditional bridges.
What factors determine whether dentures or dental implants are the better option for tooth replacement?
Factors include overall health, jawbone strength, age, budget, and personal preferences. Implants offer stability and long-term durability, protecting bone health, but they require healthy bones and gums. Dentures are less expensive upfront, easier to adjust, and suitable if you have significant bone loss. We will help you weigh these factors to choose the best option.
Schedule a Dental Exam Today
Do you need comprehensive dental services in Owens Cross Roads? Call 256.202.4186 for treatment or request a dental exam with Dr. Duling online today. Please let us know if you have questions for us. We will be happy to answer them at your next visit.