Clear Pricing. No Surprises. No Judgment.
At a Glance
- Service: Full-service family and cosmetic dentistry — preventive through implants
- Location: Serving South Huntsville, the 35803 zip code, and the South Parkway corridor, AL
- Office hours: Mon - Wed 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Thurs 7 AM to 12 PM, Fri - Sun - Closed
- New patients: Accepting new patients
- Key differentiator:18+ years serving Huntsville; 20,000+ patients treated; every procedure explained before it begins
Dentist in South Huntsville, AL (35803)
Every Procedure Explained Before It Happens
South Huntsville has changed and grown steadily over decades. The South Parkway corridor — running from the Memorial Parkway junction south through the 35803 zip code toward the Redstone Arsenal gate — is one of Huntsville's most established residential zones, with subdivisions and families that have been here long enough to accumulate real dental history: old crowns, fillings placed in the eighties, teeth that have been through a lot.
At Shedd Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, every procedure is explained before it is performed. That applies at the first exam — Dr. Shedd walks through every finding on the X-ray and in the mouth before any recommendation is made — and at every treatment visit that follows. The instrument being used is named. The step being taken is described. The team checks in throughout. You are never in the chair wondering what is happening.
That is how this practice has accumulated 20,000+ patients and 650+ five-star reviews over 18 years. Dr. Patterson Shedd has been the same dentist, at the same address, for that entire period.
Getting Started: What New Patients in South Huntsville Should Know
New patients start with a comprehensive exam and full X-rays. Dr. Shedd reviews your dental history, documents existing restorations, and assesses current gum health. He presents findings in plain language — which teeth are healthy, which have issues, and what the treatment priorities are. If everything looks good, you leave with a cleaning scheduled and a recall appointment on the books. If there are problems, the treatment sequence is explained clearly.
New patient forms are available online at sheddfamilydental.com. Bring your insurance card, photo ID, and a list of current medications. First appointments run 60 to 90 minutes. The practice is at 2124 Cecil Ashburn Dr SE — accessible from South Parkway heading north in approximately 10 to 15 minutes for most 35803-area residents, with on-site parking at the office.
Procedure by Procedure: What Each Visit Actually Involves
Cleanings are performed by a dental hygienist. They use scalers to remove calculus above and at the gumline, followed by polishing. Duration: 45 to 60 minutes. No anesthetic is required for a routine healthy-mouth cleaning; deeper cleanings for patients with gum disease involve local anesthetic for comfort.
Fillings use composite resin matched to your tooth color. The decayed area is removed under local anesthetic and the composite is bonded in place in a single appointment. Mild sensitivity at the filled tooth may persist for 24 to 48 hours.
Crown placement involves two appointments: at the first, the tooth is shaped and an impression is taken; a temporary crown is placed. At the second, the permanent crown is seated and adjusted for bite. Root canal treatment removes the pulp tissue, cleans and shapes the canals, and fills them. Local anesthetic is used throughout; most patients report less discomfort during a root canal than they anticipated. A crown typically follows to protect the treated tooth.
Dental implants require a surgical phase — placing a titanium post in the jaw — followed by an osseointegration period (the bone fusing to the post, typically three to six months). After that, an abutment and crown are placed. The final result functions like a natural tooth and does not require adhesives or nightly removal.
Determining Candidacy: Which Patients Qualify for What
Most adults and children from age 3 can access the full preventive and restorative range. Candidacy for specific procedures depends on clinical factors. Implants require sufficient jawbone density and healthy gum tissue. If bone loss has occurred, a bone graft procedure may be indicated before implant placement can proceed.
Invisalign is appropriate for mild to moderate alignment issues. Severe malocclusion may require referral to an orthodontic specialist. Professional teeth whitening produces the best results on natural tooth structure — existing crowns and veneers do not respond to whitening agents, a factor Dr. Shedd notes upfront before beginning any cosmetic treatment plan.
Recovery Timelines and Long-Term Maintenance
Cleanings: no restrictions, no recovery. Fillings: 24-to-48-hour sensitivity period at the treated tooth. Crown treatment: mild sensitivity while the temporary is in place, resolved at final seating. Implant healing is monitored across months, with specific instructions for each phase provided before you leave the relevant appointment.
Recall appointments are typically scheduled every six months for patients with healthy gum tissue. Patients with active or previously treated gum disease are seen more frequently until the condition is stable and maintained. The practice tracks your complete history across visits — you are never starting from scratch at a new appointment.
Exams & Cleanings
Children’s Dentistry
Periodontal Therapy
Root Canal Therapy
Oral Cancer Screening
Mouth & Snore Guards
Nitrous & Oral Sedation
Dental Crowns & Bridges
Complete, Partial & Implant Dentures
Dental Implants
Clear Braces & Aligners
Teeth Whitening
Cosmetic Bonding
Veneers
Saturday & Evening Appointments
Refreshment & Snack Bar
Pillows and Warm Blankets
Protective Eyewear
Low Radiation Digital X-rays
3D Cone Beam X-Rays
Intra-Oral Cameras
Local FAQ
I live in the 35803 zip code near South Parkway — how far is the drive to 2124 Cecil Ashburn Dr SE, and is there decent parking when I arrive?
A: For most South Parkway-area residents, the drive runs 10 to 20 minutes depending on your exact location and traffic on Memorial Parkway heading north. The office has on-site parking — no structure, no lot fees, pull in and walk to the door. Early morning appointments are available for patients who want to be in and out before the day's traffic builds.
I have a crown from a previous dentist that's been uncomfortable for several months — can a new patient come in specifically to have an existing restoration evaluated?
A: A full new patient exam is the right starting point for evaluating an existing restoration. It lets Dr. Shedd see the crown in context: how your bite sits across all teeth, the condition of the surrounding gum tissue, and if the crown itself is the source of the problem or if something adjacent is contributing. Evaluating a single restoration in isolation misses the information a full exam provides.
Shedd Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
2124 Cecil Ashburn Dr SE, Ste 130, Huntsville, AL 35802
(256) 429-9220
https://sheddfamilydental.com/areas-we-serve/south-huntsville-dentist/