Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Absolutely! 

We love new patients! At King Dental, we are always looking to meet new faces and create beautiful smiles. Your entire family is welcome at our practice, from the most senior to the youngest! We are proud to offer a wide array of services under one roof to help you and your family get the dental care that you need. 

Our experienced staff can help you whether you need a simple cleaning and general care dentist, or if you are looking for more extensive procedures to get the smile you've always wanted. Dr. King has the experience needed to ensure that you have a great experience with your dental care, and to stop any dental fears that you may have. 

Appointments Before Work

We want to help make your life simpler, and one of the ways we do that is by offering convenient appointment times. Our office opens up at 7:00 am, which allows you to come in for your care before you head to work for the day. We've also created a relaxing, welcoming environment. Enjoy our TV in the lobby along with our coffee station, which also includes snacks and other beverages. 

Call our office today to schedule your dental cleaning and exam.

We will all insurances; however, we do not accept HMO policies, Medicare, or Medicaid. While we are not a participating provider with all insurances, we can still bill them – they just may not pay as well for some benefits. 

We understand that dental insurance can be confusing, and it's often difficult to understand if you aren't familiar already with the process. Our staff can answer any coverage questions that you may have about your insurance plan, and we can help you file all claims and paperwork directly with your insurance company. This makes the process much easier on you and allows you to focus on what's important- getting the care that you and your family need. 

Dental Insurances Accepted

The insurance companies we participate with include:

• BC/BS of Alabama
• Delta
• Metlife
• Aetna
• PeeHip
• Southland
• United Concordia
• Dentemax
• Guardian
• Ameritas
• Tricare

For a full breakdown head to our financial page. Call our office, and we will be happy to review your insurance and discuss your benefits with you.

Finding an excellent family dentist is an essential aspect of protecting your dental health. Building a relationship with a dental provider who has your best interest at heart and knows your health history can help you achieve and maintain a healthy smile from now and into retirement.

What to Look for in a Family Dentist

Ask some important questions when you're looking for your ideal family dentist in Huntsville, such as: 

• How long have you been practicing at this location?
• Do you see children, and if so, at what age?
• What type of continuing education do you and your staff participate in?
• Is your office equipped with advanced technology? How does it benefit your patients?

Taking a tour of your prospective dentist's office will also help you determine if their facility is clean, modern, and well-equipped for your family.

You might also consider scheduling a consultation to discuss your treatment needs with your prospective dentist. This is a great time to ask questions, discuss treatment philosophies, and even see before and after pictures of their work.

Your Huntsville, AL Family Dentist

Dr. David King provides friendly, compassionate, and comprehensive dental care for families in Huntsville, AL. If you're looking for an exceptional family dentist in the 35801 area, don't hesitate to contact King Dental today at (256) 880-1884 to schedule your next appointment.

Making the decision to get dentures is emotional and very personal. If you are unsure of whether dentures are the right treatment option for you, Dr. David King can meet with you and help you decide.

If you are either missing all of your natural teeth or have many remaining natural teeth that are unhealthy and need to be extracted, you are likely a strong candidate for complete dentures. If you are only missing some of your natural teeth and still have a mouth full of healthy remaining teeth, partial dentures may be a better option for you.

Improved Look and Function

Some of our Huntsville, AL patients have expressed concerns about the way complete or partial dentures may look and feel in their mouths. While there truly is no replacement that will be exactly like your natural teeth, dentures have come a long way since their initial design. The dentures we use at King Dental look more modern and fit much better than their predecessors from years past.

Chat With Us to Learn More

If your lack of teeth is stopping you from eating, speaking, and living normally, it may be time to consider dentures. Our dental team will work with you to decide on a style and fit that works best for your smile. Every mouth is different, which means every set of dentures will also be different. Ready to begin your journey? Call our Huntsville dental office today!

When you get a new set of dentures or even a partial denture, it can feel great because it helps you eat the foods you enjoy. Over time, however, it may seem like your denture feels loose or floppy, and it could even start shifting or falling out at embarrassing times. 

Your denture has not stretched out, so what does this mean?

How To Fix Loose Fitting Dentures

Denture fit can change over time with bone or weight loss. This can make them seem loose because the oral structures that hold them in place have changed. Using pastes or gels are really only a short-term solution to the problem and can be a real pain. If you have loose-fitting dentures and need help from a qualified dentist in Huntsville, AL, give us a call for a solution.

Denture adjustment – Partial dentures have wires that hold them in place. After months or years of chewing, those wires can distort and bend. We can adjust them for increased stability and comfort. We can also eliminate tight spots on complete dentures to prevent painful sores.

Denture reline – Your denture fit can be adjusted with a reline. This is sometimes done in our dental office, but occasionally we need to use a dental lab. We offer fast turnaround times to keep you from going without your teeth.

New dentures – Even the best dentures need to be replaced every 5 to 7 years or so. If you have dramatic changes in your health, it may need to happen sooner. Maintaining a healthy diet is essential to good overall health, so don’t put it off! 

Give us a call to learn more or to replace your ill-fitting dentures.

If you are considering porcelain veneers in Huntsville, AL to redesign your smile, it's important to know that they are considered a permanent procedure. This is because, in order to place your veneer, a small amount of tooth enamel has to be removed for the veneer to blend seamlessly with your tooth and enhance your smile.

However, with excellent home care and regular dental checkups with Dr. King, your porcelain veneers can potentially last for 10 to 15 years. Still, you should understand that, like any dental restoration, they break down over time and will need replacing in the future.

The Benefits of Dental Veneers

That being said, porcelain veneers are an excellent choice for creating the smile you've always wanted. Because they're bonded directly to your tooth, they add strength and durability to your teeth. Dental veneers are capable of covering cosmetic imperfections like chipping, spaces between teeth, discoloration, and irregularly shaped teeth. They're also stain-resistant, so you don't have to think about whitening your teeth to maintain your bright smile. 

If you would like to determine if porcelain veneers would be the right treatment choice for your smile, contact King Dental today at (256) 880-1884 to schedule a commitment-free evaluation with Dr. David King.

One of the easiest ways to maintain your smile’s brightness after undergoing teeth whitening with your Huntsville dentist is to avoid returning to those habits that might have stained your teeth in the first place.

Beverages such as coffee, tea, and wine will eventually stain your teeth again. Other habits, such as smoking or using tobacco, can also cause stains. Staying away from these habits will help your teeth stay whiter longer.

If you don’t wish to skip your morning coffee or your evening glass of wine for the sake of your white teeth, be sure to practice good oral hygiene and brush and floss right after indulging in stain-causing foods and drinks. 

In-Office Teeth Whitening

You can also follow up on your in-office teeth whitening treatment with at-home whitening care. We will give you custom trays that you can use regularly in the convenience of your own home. Whitening your teeth at home on a regular basis will help keep stains from forming on your teeth in the first place.

At King Dental, we don’t recommend over-the-counter whitening products. Although they are less expensive, they are not as effective as professional teeth whitening and they can even be damaging to your teeth. 

OTC (over-the-counter) whitening products are safe for your teeth as are professional whitening systems. However, there are a few aspects to consider when deciding between OTC whitening and professional whitening with your dentist. 

Downfalls of Over-The-Counter Whitening

• OTC products are not customized. This means that a one-size-fits-all product may be ill-fitting and may not achieve the results you're hoping for, or worse yet, could cause issues with excess whitening gel touching your gums or other soft tissues.
• The whitening gel that your grocery or drug store sells is not as high in quality or strength as the products that your dentist has access to, which means that it may take longer to achieve your desired outcome.
• Whitening under the supervision of your cosmetic dentist in Huntsville, AL is always more advisable in case you encounter any issues or concerns during the process.
• The ingredients in professional whitening gel and the advanced process used in-office whitening is designed to minimize any sensitivity caused by the process.

Dr. King offers both in-office and take-home whitening treatments for your convenience, so be sure to consult with him about your options before starting treatment with any store-bought whitening system. We are happy to help you determine which options are right for your needs.

If you are thinking of enhancing your smile with cosmetic dentistry in Huntsville, dental bonding and porcelain veneers are both great options. Both procedures repair many of the same issues such as:

• Spacing between teeth
• Chipping or worn teeth
• Oddly shaped teeth
• Discoloration or staining

However, the most significant difference between bonding and veneers is that veneers can help you redesign your smile because they can change the size, shape, or color of your teeth. Many of the Hollywood smiles we know and love have been improved with porcelain veneers.

What Are Veneers?

Veneers are very thin layers of porcelain that are customized to fit over your teeth and cover imperfections, while dental bonding uses composite resin to bond to your teeth and correct cosmetic problems. Depending on your lifestyle, needs, and budget, Dr. King can help determine which is the best treatment to help you reach your goals for your smile.

If you're ready to create your dream smile, porcelain veneers are an excellent choice. Dental bonding tends to be less expensive, it is non-invasive, and the procedure can typically be completed in one appointment. Bonding can last for around five to seven years, while veneers can last ten to fifteen years with excellent care.

Contact King Dental today to learn more about options for enhancing your smile!

Losing teeth is harmful and emotionally detrimental—harmful because it negatively impacts your oral health and can hamper your self-esteem. Our top Huntsville, AL dentist understands how you feel, which is why he offers dental implants to his patients. 

It all starts with a thorough dental exam in our Huntsville, AL dental office. During this exam, our compassionate dentist will assess your oral health to make sure dental implants are right for you.

If you’re a good candidate, the next step in the process is implant placement. This means surgically implanting a strong post in your jaw that fuses with your jawbone over several months. This post is similar to a tooth root, keeping your jawbone stimulated and strong.

The next part of the process involves our dentist placing your restoration tooth. This tooth will be shaded and shaped to blend in with your smile.

Following this, you can smile again with confidence. You can laugh out loud. Also, you have done a good service for the rest of your teeth. When teeth are missing, existing teeth move toward these sockets. This changes your bite and leads to erosion, cavities, and possibly further tooth loss.

At King Dental, we think you owe it to yourself to have a healthy and beautiful smile that you can be proud of.

Contact King Dental Today

If you’re considering dental implants, we would love to help you reach your smile goals.

We offer a few different ways to replace missing teeth, and each one has its own set of advantages. In most cases, dental implants are considered the gold standard, but they are not right for everybody.

At King Dental, we think it’s important to consider the whole person when making recommendations about dentistry. This means that we will take into consideration such factors as your lifestyle, your long-term goals, your insurance coverage, and your budget.

Discussing Tooth Replacement Options

Dr. King will discuss your concerns and consider these factors and then lay out your options, along with the pros and cons and the expected results for each option. You will then be able to make an informed choice about your care and determine which option is the best for you.

If you are missing teeth, please call today to schedule a consultation with Dr. King. Missing teeth are a major concern when it comes to your dental health (as well as your self-confidence), and we want to help you get back on the road to a healthy, complete smile. 

Receiving the news that you need root canal therapy is never great. However, if Dr. King has diagnosed a root canal for you, it is likely that your tooth has sustained trauma, a fracture, or infection, and diseased tissue needs to be removed from inside your tooth to preserve it. It is also likely that you are in pain, and believe it or not, root canal therapy will relieve your discomfort. If you don't remove the infected tissue from your tooth, it can progress and spread to other areas of your body, neighboring teeth, and it will likely result in tooth loss.

Root Canal Are Not Painful

You might have heard in the past that root canals are painful. The truth is, Dr. King will numb your tooth with a dental anesthetic that is going to relieve your pain immediately. He has performed hundreds of root canals in Huntsville, AL, so you can rest assured that he is very gentle, highly skilled and that your procedure will proceed smoothly. 

It is normal to feel mild discomfort the first few days after your procedure, but it should be nothing as intense as the pain your infection caused. 

Dr. King will also recommend that you strengthen your tooth with a permanent filling or crown after it has healed to make sure that you can eat and chew with ease. Contact King Dental today if you have any additional questions about root canal therapy. 

Because people have associated root canal therapy with discomfort in the past, there is a common myth the procedure is painful. The truth is that a root canal actually relieves pain and eliminates the infection in your tooth, which is the real source of your discomfort.

Unfortunately, root canal therapy in Huntsville, AL is typically recommended when you are already in pain, hence the association. Dr. King may suggest a root canal in these cases:

• A tooth that has sustained trauma that is affecting the nerve
• When decay has reached the nerve of the tooth
• When a tooth is cracked or fractured to the root resulting in an infection

Telltale Signs You Need a Root Canal

• Pain or discomfort when biting or chewing
• Sensitivity to hot or cold
• A constant toothache that doesn't respond to over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen
• Dark discoloration in your tooth
• Swelling in your gums around the infected tooth

If Dr. King recommends root canal therapy for you, rest assured that your comfort is our top priority. Dr. King is gentle and highly skilled, and he utilizes the most effective dental anesthetics to ensure that you don't feel anything during your root canal procedure. Call our office to learn more!

Root canals are often thought of as a painful dental treatment, but the truth is that people are usually associating the pain of the condition that makes the root canal necessary with the treatment itself.

The Root Canal Procedure

Your comfort is one of our top priorities, and we will take all possible precautions to make sure that your treatment doesn’t hurt. Before we begin your procedure, we’ll make sure that you are completely numb. You may feel some pressure, but you shouldn’t experience any pain.

After your treatment, once the anesthetic has worn off, you may feel some discomfort, although this is still usually a huge improvement over the pain you were feeling before your treatment. This lingering discomfort is a result of the inflammation that occurs as your immune system tries to fight off the infection. Once your immune system gets the message that the infection is gone, you will feel much better. Dr. King can discuss pain control options if needed. Contact our office today to get started. 

If you have recently had a tooth extracted by our Huntsville, AL dental office, the first several days of recovery are crucial. During this time, the extraction site begins to heal. It is important that you follow all post-op instructions so your mouth has the best chance of recovering quickly and properly. 

Treating Pain

Following a dental extraction, it is normal to experience mild pain and discomfort. The extraction site will typically be sore, especially if you had a large molar or wisdom tooth removed. We encourage over-the-counter pain relievers such as Ibuprofen and Advil to treat this pain. You may also feel a little tired or weak for a day or two after the extraction. Take it easy and get plenty of rest, avoiding intense exercise and any type of potential contact to your face.

Caring for the Site

As your body continues to work to heal itself, you will also need to follow a soft, gentle diet and keep the extraction site clean. For the first few days after the extraction, stick to soft foods such as soup, yogurt, ice cream, pudding, and smoothies. Don’t eat or drink through a straw, as straws can damage necessary blood clots in the extraction site. When you brush your teeth, avoid brushing the extraction site directly and instead use gentle strokes to clean the surrounding areas.

Follow-Up Questions

If you have questions or concerns about your post-op extraction, we are here to help! Call our office at (256) 880-1884 to speak with Dr. David King or a knowledgeable dental hygienist today.  

Absolutely! 

We love new patients! At King Dental, we are always looking to meet new faces and create beautiful smiles. Your entire family is welcome at our practice, from the most senior to the youngest! We are proud to offer a wide array of services under one roof to help you and your family get the dental care that you need. 

Our experienced staff can help you whether you need a simple cleaning and general care dentist, or if you are looking for more extensive procedures to get the smile you've always wanted. Dr. King has the experience needed to ensure that you have a great experience with your dental care, and to stop any dental fears that you may have. 

Appointments Before Work

We want to help make your life simpler, and one of the ways we do that is by offering convenient appointment times. Our office opens up at 7:00 am, which allows you to come in for your care before you head to work for the day. We've also created a relaxing, welcoming environment. Enjoy our TV in the lobby along with our coffee station, which also includes snacks and other beverages. 

Call our office today to schedule your dental cleaning and exam.

We will all insurances; however, we do not accept HMO policies, Medicare, or Medicaid. While we are not a participating provider with all insurances, we can still bill them – they just may not pay as well for some benefits. 

We understand that dental insurance can be confusing, and it's often difficult to understand if you aren't familiar already with the process. Our staff can answer any coverage questions that you may have about your insurance plan, and we can help you file all claims and paperwork directly with your insurance company. This makes the process much easier on you and allows you to focus on what's important- getting the care that you and your family need. 

Dental Insurances Accepted

The insurance companies we participate with include:

• BC/BS of Alabama
• Delta
• Metlife
• Aetna
• PeeHip
• Southland
• United Concordia
• Dentemax
• Guardian
• Ameritas
• Tricare

For a full breakdown head to our financial page. Call our office, and we will be happy to review your insurance and discuss your benefits with you.

While it differs for every patient, your dental filling has the potential to last for 10 to 12 years. The better you take care of your restoration, the longer it will work hard for you.

Tooth-colored composite material is very durable, and direct bonding to your tooth helps to preserve its longevity.

You can also do your part at home with consistent brushing twice daily and flossing your teeth at least once. A good home care routine keeps your mouth clean and bacteria-free, which also prevents the breakdown of restorations like dental fillings or tooth crowns.

Talk with your Huntsville dentist about products that may enhance your brushing and flossing routine, such as an electric toothbrush or an antibacterial mouth rinse.

Visiting King Dental every six months for your routine dental checkups and teeth cleanings will also help to protect your restorations. Dr. King checks your tooth fillings, crowns, or other restorations during every examination to make sure they are intact and functioning properly for you. This way, he can make you aware of any concerns as early as possible.

If you have questions about dental fillings in Huntsville or any other treatment we've recommended for you, please contact King Dental today at (256) 880-1884 for more information.

Tooth pain of any kind is not normal and means that a problem is developing that we need to address. We know that dental visits are stressful for many patients, but toothaches never go away on their own, and delaying treatment will only result in more complicated problems in the future

Many toothaches are the result of decay, but there are also several other conditions that can also cause pain:

• Gum disease
• Teeth grinding (bruxism)
• Trauma to the tooth
• An unbalanced dental bite

Regardless of the reason for your pain, we need to see you as quickly as possible. This is one of the reasons we stress the importance of routine dental visits. When we see you regularly, we can prevent problems from developing in the first place.

Be Seen For Your Toothache

If you have a toothache, please call our office to arrange an appointment. You may be surprised to find that your pain is the result of something that is relatively easy to address like chronic teeth grinding.

However, if you need a filling or other treatment, you can feel comfortable knowing that we provide gentle care in a friendly, soothing environment. If your pain is severe, we will get you in for treatment the same day to provide you with the relief you need.  Contact us today!

Most of us encounter a cavity at some point our lives. The damage left by tooth decay needs to be repaired in order to keep it from progressing and causing an infection. A dental filling is a great option for repairing your tooth while keeping your smile aesthetically pleasing.

Dr. King will remove the tooth decay and ensure that your tooth is completely clean. Then he uses a material called composite resin to fill in the hole left by the decay. Composite is pliable and comfortable to work with. It's directly bonded to your tooth which creates a seal that protects your tooth from further damage. Dr. King can customize composite to match your tooth so your dental work is not noticeable. 

What is a composite filling? 

Composite is durable and doesn't experience breakdown due to temperature changes in the mouth like metal amalgam fillings. Your composite fillings have the potential to last for many years with excellent home care and regular dental check-ups with Dr. King.

Composite resin can also be used to make small repairs to your teeth with dental bonding. Small chips, fractures, discoloration, gaps, misalignment, and size discrepancies can be repaired with dental bonding. Please call our dental office to schedule your filling appointment. 

If you have ever had braces, or have a child who had braces, you are likely acutely aware of the dramatic impact they can have on your daily life. Many of our older teen and adult patients qualify for Invisalign treatment in our Huntsville, AL dental office, and find the experience fits more neatly into busy and high-profile lifestyles.

Here are a few of the most beloved benefits of Invisalign clear braces that we hear from our patients.

Advantages of Invisalign

Your braces are your secret. You don’t have to alert the world that you have braces when you have clear aligners. As long as you keep them clean, you can keep your private dental care to yourself.

You won’t have mouth sores. Brackets can feel sharp, especially following an adjustment. Clear aligners with Invisalign are smooth and comfortable.

You can enjoy fewer appointments. Because you receive your aligners in batches, you will not need as many “adjustment” appointments. You will only need to check in with us on occasion to ensure that everything is moving in the right direction.

Brushing and flossing your teeth is easy. Rather than dealing with floss threaders and small brushes, you can simply remove your aligners, clean them, and then brush and floss normally.

Get Your Invisalign Consultation

For more information about Invisalign, contact our Huntsville, AL dental office, and we will go over the entire process with you.

Periodontal disease is a serious infection of the gums and periodontal ligaments. Left untreated, periodontal disease can compromise your systemic health and lead to tooth loss.

Symptoms of periodontal disease include:

• Toothaches
• Loose teeth
• Jaw aches
• Jaw swelling
• Bleeding gums, especially when brushing or flossing
• Bad breath

If you notice one or more of these symptoms, it is crucial to contact our Huntsville, AL dental office as soon as possible.

Our compassionate dentist treats periodontal disease aggressively but gently. In other words, you will be at ease as our dentist saves your smile.

At King Dental, we use everything from medications and rooting and planing to save your smile and your health. This requires a deep cleaning that reaches beneath the gumline. Based on the extent of your disease, our dentist may put you on an in-office schedule for periodontal treatment.

Our dentist may also recommend specialty treatments at home or suggest an increased brushing and flossing schedule.

Get in Touch with King Dental Today

Our Top Huntsville, AL dentist is here to help, and when you are under his care, you are in great hands! He treats periodontal disease successfully all the time.

Contact our dental office to schedule a periodontal assessment or dental exam today.

It might be.

Gums may bleed for a few different reasons, and it’s important to get to the bottom of it. Some possible reasons may be that you are brushing too hard or using a brush with bristles that are too firm. Improving your technique and changing your brush might be enough to solve this problem, and our hygienist will be happy to help.

Periodontal Disease

Another reason that gums bleed is a bit more concerning, however. Gums that bleed when brushed or flossed is an early sign of periodontal disease, a chronic infection that can do serious damage to your gum tissue and the bone beneath. About one out of every two people in the U.S. has some form of periodontal disease, according to the CDC, so you’re not alone. If the disease is caught quickly, prompt treatment will help to resolve it. If the disease is more advanced, we will want to stop the progression of the disease and then we can discuss options to repair the damage.

If you’ve noticed blood in the sink when you brush, please call our office right away for an evaluation so that we can determine the most appropriate treatment plan for you.

Absolutely! 

We love new patients! At King Dental, we are always looking to meet new faces and create beautiful smiles. Your entire family is welcome at our practice, from the most senior to the youngest! We are proud to offer a wide array of services under one roof to help you and your family get the dental care that you need. 

Our experienced staff can help you whether you need a simple cleaning and general care dentist, or if you are looking for more extensive procedures to get the smile you've always wanted. Dr. King has the experience needed to ensure that you have a great experience with your dental care, and to stop any dental fears that you may have. 

Appointments Before Work

We want to help make your life simpler, and one of the ways we do that is by offering convenient appointment times. Our office opens up at 7:00 am, which allows you to come in for your care before you head to work for the day. We've also created a relaxing, welcoming environment. Enjoy our TV in the lobby along with our coffee station, which also includes snacks and other beverages. 

Call our office today to schedule your dental cleaning and exam.

It’s not difficult to keep a healthy smile, but you do have to commit to staying current with preventive dental visits. We agree with the recommendation of the American Dental Association to schedule routine exams and cleanings every six months.

Routinely skipping dental appointments results in poor oral health. But when we see you on a routine basis, we can significantly reduce the risk of painful or complicated dental problems from developing.

Routine Dental Cleanings and Exams

During these appointments, Dr. King will perform a visual exam and check the condition of each tooth. He also may recommend digital x-rays if you are a new patient or if you are having a problem. If he finds a condition that needs to be addressed, Dr. King will work with you to develop a treatment plan to get your oral health back on track.

A critical part of your routine dental care is professional cleanings by one of our skilled hygienists. A thorough cleaning every six months keeps your gums healthy. But if we find signs of periodontal disease, we will treat it and give you tips for improving your oral hygiene practices.

Are you looking for a top dentist in Huntsville who can help you maintain your healthy smile, please call King Dental so we can arrange your next exam and cleaning.