Welcome to Lowcountry Family Dentistry in Beaufort, SC. Our family dental office welcomes children and adult patients from many local Beaufort, SC communities. Led by Dr. Ashley Covington and Dr. Perry DuRant, our dental care team is dedicated to helping you maintain, restore or enhance your natural smile for the enjoyment of lifelong dental health.
Our office provides general, cosmetic and pediatric dental services using high-quality materials and advanced treatment options. Our dentists and dental staff maintain an ongoing commitment to continuing education in all aspects of dentistry in an effort to ensure the best possible patient experience and results.
From comprehensive childrens dental care to the latest treatment options for replacing missing teeth, we strive to meet your oral health needs in the comfort of a family-friendly environment. We take time with each patient to get to know you as an individual, learn the unique risk factors affecting your oral health and to provide oral hygiene care and advice that is tailored to your smile.
We place an emphasis on patient education so that you can make an informed decision about your dental care with an understanding of what to expect during and after your treatment. We are a partner in the care and maintenance of your overall health and make it a priority to screen for the early signs of both oral and overall health concerns during your routine dental visits.
Our dental team welcomes young patients and works with parents and caregivers to nurture an appreciation for good oral health from an early age. Through age-appropriate oral hygiene advice, cavity screening, and disease prevention, our goal is to support your childs physical growth and development with a healthy, functional smile.
Dr. Ashley Covington grew up in Charleston, South Carolina. After graduating from Fort Dorchester High School, she went on to study at the College of Charleston. While at College of Charleston she was an active member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority and served on its philanthropy committee. She graduated Magna Cum Laude and earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.
During her time at College of Charleston, she decided to pursue a career in dentistry. To her, dentistry is a great mix of science and art. Dr. Covington received her Doctor of Dental Medicine Degree from the Medical University of South Carolina, where she was an active member of the American Student Dental Association and Psi Omega Fraternity. She volunteered with Give Kids a Smile and Special Smiles in the Charleston Area Special Olympics.
After graduation, she practiced for two years as an associate dentist in a Bluffton dental office and was in private practice in Florence, South Carolina for eight years. Dr. Covington has had the pleasure of getting to know Dr. Perry DuRant over the years and is excited to assume his practice in Beaufort, South Carolina.
Her professional affiliations include the American Dental Association, the South Carolina Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, The Dawson Academy, American Academy of Implant Dentistry, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, American Society of Dentistry for Children, and American Society for Geriatric Dentistry.
For Dr. Covington, dentistry is more than just a job; it is also a hobby. She attends many continuing education classes yearly to advance her knowledge. She volunteers in the community by participating in Dental Access Day and by visiting schools to teach elementary and preschool students good oral hygiene habits.
Dr. Covington and her husband, Todd, met at College of Charleston and got married while she was in dental school. They have two beautiful children and devote most of their time to them. As a family, they enjoy visiting parks, going to church, traveling, and doing anything on the water. They are excited to be back in the Lowcountry and be a part of this special area.
Dr. Perry W. DuRant graduated from Clemson University in 1973 with a BS degree. He then entered the Medical University of South Carolina College of Dental Medicine graduating in 1976. He set up his private practice in Beaufort SC in July of 1976.
To keep abreast of the latest advances in dentistry, Dr. DuRant has studied under dental experts Dr.Peter Dawson, Dr. Michael Schuster and Dr. George Priest. He has taken over and above the required hours of continuing education offered through the Medical University of South Carolina College of Dental Medicine, the Medical College of Georgia and the University of North Carolina Dental School. Dr. DuRant is a graduate of the Dental Implant Maxi-course post-graduate program presented by the Medical College of Georgia. Dr. DuRant is a member of the American Academy of General Dentistry. He was elected to the prestigious Pierre Fauchard Academy.
Dr. DuRant believes in helping his patients maintain their mouth in a healthy, functioning condition with a pleasing smile; all in a caring environment. With the advances in dental procedures, Dr. DuRant has become one of the foremost experts in implant dentistry, with an emphasis implant supported dentures.
Dr. DuRant has been involved in many civic organizations, notably past president of the Beaufort Rotary Club, Kiwanis, and a Paul Harris Fellow. He is also involved in his church. He enjoys family time with his wife, son, daughter, son-in-law and 7 year old grandson.
Digital radiographs are a technological advancement that results in less exposure to radiation for our patients and an almost instantaneous picture for our team. Unlike traditional, film-based radiographs, digital radiographs often show more detail and can be archived in our system for future reference and comparison. Thanks to digital X-rays, you will appreciate a more comfortable visit with less waiting and quicker treatment.
X-rays give us a clear view of what we cant see such as decay between the teeth. An intraoral camera gives the patient a view of what the dentist sees. An intraoral camera is a device that is about the size of a toothbrush. Broken fillings, fractured teeth, decay or any other dental problem can be viewed so that we can discuss with you any treatment needed. With a clear understanding of your dental needs we can decide together what the best treatment is for you.
We use ultrasonic scalers for most adult dental cleanings. These devices use ultrasonic vibrations to help break down the plaque and calculus on the teeth that cause gingivitis and periodontal disease. The ultrasonic cleaners create microscopic bubbles that implode on the surface of the tooth, killing microbes and removing plaque and tartar in the process. Our instruments use a thin tip to better navigate in the periodontal pockets to help maintain optimal gingival health.
The procedure uses water and/or an antimicrobial liquid called chlorhexidine. It can remove tartar buildup in hard-to-reach areas, with no damage to the tooth enamel. Manual scaling often uses pressure for cleaning, while the vibration produced by the scaling tip of an ultrasonic scaler is barely perceptible. This makes ultrasonic cleaning suitable to those with sensitive teeth. The cleaning process is faster than manual scaling, making your visit more comfortable.
Dr. Covington and DuRant are committed to offering patients the highest level of care. Our dentistry goes beyond routine cleanings and exams. We take the time to consider your dental health as part of your overall health. To help combat oral cancer and give patients the best chance for a cure, our Beaufort dentists have added oral cancer screening technology.
We offer oral cancer screening as part of our new patient exam and periodically perform oral cancer screenings to catch abnormal cells early. Dr. has selected ViziLite technology, one of the leading oral cancer detection systems on the market.
Soft tissue lasers are used to safely remove soft tissue, such as excess gum tissue. The soft tissue laser can also be employed to destroy bacteria in gum pockets, preventing infection and allowing the tissue to return to a healthy state. The soft tissue laser enabled the dentist to treat our patients with extreme accuracy and eliminates the need for most stitches.