At Ruggless Dental, preventive dentistry is vital for maintaining good oral health. This involves a comprehensive home-health routine like daily brushing and flossing, along with regular teeth cleanings and dental exams.
However, even our most meticulous patients in Springfield, IL can suffer from a tooth infection, decay, gum disease, and other oral issues—without even knowing it! Some dental issues, like periodontal disease, don’t show any symptoms until advanced stages—which means that without routine dental checkups, you might be undergoing an oral health issue without realizing it.
One day—or night—you may wake up with tooth or jaw pain that won’t go away; we advise our patients to call us immediately to relieve your pain and discomfort. Tooth pain is not normal to experience and is a sign of something greater.
We understand that the last thing a patient wants to hear is that root canal therapy is necessary; however, this dental procedure will actually help relieve your pain while saving your tooth. A root canal is required when the tooth nerve becomes abscessed, infected, or inflamed. While old-fashioned root canals may have been a painful process, Dr. Shane Ruggless, DMD can anesthetize the area and ensure no pain is ever felt.
In fact, you’ll feel so much better after your root canal! In most cases, Dr. Shane Ruggless can provide root canal therapy in the comfort and familiar environment of our Springfield dental office without the need for a referral to a specialist. We know that most patients dread hearing that they need a root canal, but the truth is that you will probably feel a lot better after your treatment.
The worst part of needing a root canal is experiencing the symptoms that accompany the condition. Let us treat any pain and discomfort while keeping your teeth and gums as healthy as possible.
Dr. Shane Ruggless, DMD earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois Champaign Urbana in 2008 with a degree in Integrative Biology. He went on to earn his DMD at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Dental School, where he received a leadership award.
He is active in the American Dental Association and the Illinois State Dental Society, and he is on the board of the GV Black Dental Society.
Dr. Ruggless knew since his high school days that he wanted to become a dentist. ...
There are many different reasons our Springfield patients may come to us needing root canal treatment. Some are preventable, while others can be sudden and unavoidable.
In some cases, your tooth may suffer from sudden trauma and require a root canal, but in most cases, root canals are necessary because of an infection inside your tooth near the nerve. Often, infected teeth remain asymptomatic until inflammation causes pain, sensitivity, and pressure. Other symptoms that may indicate the need for a root canal include changes in the color of the infected tooth, a small lesion on the gums, and jaw or facial pain. If needed, our dentist can even perform two root canals in a day!
Inflammation can exacerbate other systemic conditions, putting your health at risk. Infections may feel worse on some days than others but rarely resolve on their own. Seeking treatment at the first signs of trouble can save you time, pain, and inconvenience, and it helps us to save your tooth.
Sometimes you can anticipate dental issues when you have a chipped, cracked, or fractured tooth. Bacteria can quickly enter your tooth and cause infection. Other signs to look for are frequent visits to your dentist due to dental issues. Most times, however, there are no signs that your tooth has an oral issue until it is too late to implement preventive measures.
If you have any pain or sensitivity, call us immediately. Severe tooth pain is not normal and should be looked at immediately. The last thing anyone wants is dental pain in the middle of the night – it makes it difficult to relax or sleep. Often symptoms worsen at night because you are lying down and inflammation gets worse.
Calling Ruggless Dental right away at (217) 787-0212 is your best bet in saving your tooth. We will do everything possible to care for you quickly and effectively, and our dentist will determine your best treatment options.
Despite the myths and rumors, root canal treatment is a common restorative procedure that should not be painful. We use numbing anesthetics and medications to desensitize the tooth and surrounding areas so patients feel the same amount of discomfort as they would during a filling: virtually none.
Root canals in Springfield, IL relieve any tooth pain with your infection.
Do you need a root canal? Through decay, infection, or injury, bacteria enters the inner part of your tooth, and your pulp is now at risk. Once inflamed, the pulp can create severe tooth pain.
Patients may also notice that the gum line near the tooth is swollen, and there may be a blister on the gums.
During root canal treatment, our Springfield dentist numbs the area around the painful tooth before removing any infected tissue. This should immediately relieve any pain while we clean and disinfect the rest of the tooth.
At your next dental visit to Ruggless Dental, we may fill the tooth or use a dental crown to protect it.
If it's been a long time since your last dental checkup, or if you are suffering from dental pain, contact Dr. Shane Ruggless immediately. We are here for you and can help relieve your pain.
At Ruggless Dental, we are firm believers in the benefits of preventive dentistry, and we encourage our patients who want to avoid root canals and other invasive dental procedures to focus on keeping their teeth and gums healthy and strong.
With strong, healthy teeth and gums, you can avoid many problems that lead to the need for root canal treatment, like advanced cavities and large dental fillings.
To maintain excellent oral health, we advise you to:
Brush your teeth twice daily and floss at least once every dayWith excellent oral health, you have a better chance of avoiding root canal treatment, cavities, gum disease, and other dental problems.
If you notice a developing dental issue, schedule a visit with Dr. Shane Ruggless, DMD. If you have a small cavity, for example, it’s much easier to treat early on than at an advanced stage, and the earlier it is treated, the less likely it is to progress into a cavity that causes infection.
When root canal treatment becomes unavoidable, which is sometimes the case, we don’t want you to worry or feel afraid. Instead, we provide gentle, comfortable root canal treatments in our Springfield dental office, so you can restore your oral health and enjoy a pain-free life again.
Dr. Ruggless and the rest of our experienced team can help you maintain great oral health with preventive care, and we’re always here to intervene if a dental problem does develop.
Call Ruggless Dental today at (217) 787-0212 to schedule your appointment for a dental cleaning and exam.
The best way to maintain your oral health is by taking preventative measures. Daily brushing and flossing are essential to preserving oral health. And routine dental checkups do more than just keep your teeth clean. These appointments also allow for proactive prevention of dental health issues before they become irreversible.
A root canal is commonly needed to save a heavily decayed or infected tooth. The dentist removes the damaged tissue from inside the tooth and then fills and seals the tooth.
The main reason to have a root canal is to relieve pain. Tooth pain caused by an infection or decay can be very severe. Untreated pulp inflammation or infection can cause pain or lead to an abscess. Without treatment, the infection can spread to other parts of the body. Root canals can also prevent further damage to the tooth. Once the damaged tissue is removed, the tooth can be sealed and protected from further damage.
If you are experiencing pain in a tooth, it is important to give us a call at (217) 787-0212 for an evaluation. The sooner you get treatment–the better.
It cannot be overstated: patients typically experience little to no pain during a root canal procedure. At worst, patients experience some pressure and vibrations from the dentist’s tools but should not experience any pain.
This is because, before the procedure, the dentist administers local anesthesia to numb the tooth and the area surrounding it completely. This anesthesia typically takes a few minutes to take effect. Your dentist will not begin the invasive portion of the procedure before confirming that you’ll be comfortable and free of pain throughout.
After a root canal, some mild discomfort stemming from the pressure placed on the mouth and jaw during the procedure is common for a few days. This typically is not severe and can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.
The reality about root canals is that any pain or sensitivity during or after a root canal procedure is almost always far less severe than the discomfort that created the need for the root canal. This is mainly due to the fact that a root canal eliminates the painfully infected portions of the tooth.
If you’re in the Springfield area and want to speak with a dental care team experienced in performing effective and painless root canal procedures, don’t just Google “dentist near me” and take your chance! Contact dentist Dr. Shane Ruggless and the friendly, knowledgeable team at Ruggless Dental to schedule a consultation!
Skipping out on a root canal can cause several issues, such as oral pain, infection, and even tooth loss. When a tooth is severely decayed or infected, a root canal is often the best way to remove the infection and save the tooth.
Without treatment, the infection can spread, leading to increased pain, swelling, and painful pockets of pus that form around the tooth, called abscesses.
If you leave the infection untreated, it can spread to nearby teeth, your gums, and even other parts of your body. This can lead to more serious health issues, like jawbone damage, and in severe cases, the infection can become systemic and even life-threatening.
Additionally, skipping a root canal often results in tooth loss. When the infected tooth isn’t treated, it will eventually die, requiring extraction. Tooth loss can impact chewing, speaking, and the overall alignment of your teeth.
If you’re experiencing symptoms or have questions about whether a root canal is the right step, don’t hesitate to reach out to our experienced dentist in Springfield, IL.
Give us a call at (217) 787-0212 or easily book an appointment online.
The goal of root canal treatment is to eliminate the infection in your tooth and restore your health and comfort.
Dr. Ruggless will make sure you are numb from a local anesthetic for your procedure before he begins. He will start by creating a small access to your tooth and clear out any diseased tissue and infection in the tooth pulp. He will then sterilize the inside of your tooth and place a special filling material to help prevent a repeat infection.
Once he is confident that no bacteria remain, he will seal your tooth with a temporary restoration. We will schedule a follow-up appointment to make sure you are healing correctly and discuss pain management.
While it is reasonable to have some sensitivity after treatment, you should notice improvement with each passing day. As with any dental procedure, please notify our experienced dental staff if you experience severe pain or discomfort.
Once you have a root canal, your tooth may become fragile and break more easily.
Dr. Ruggless may recommend a dental crown to help protect your tooth. Having a root canal and the proper restoration can prolong the life of your tooth by decades. Saving your natural teeth whenever possible is essential not only for your appearance but also your overall oral health.
A dental crown is a durable, reliable, long-lasting, and natural-looking dental prosthesis that not only protects your tooth, but it can also prevent infection or decay from happening again. Depending on how much of your natural tooth structure was removed in the root canal procedure, you may feel more comfortable knowing that your tooth structure will remain in place and be stabilized.
While there may be situations where a root canal procedure is difficult to avoid, we believe that practicing preventive dentistry can eliminate many infections and diseases that often result in root canals or extractions. A dental infection is sparked by tooth decay that is left untreated until it makes contact with a nerve. Once this stage occurs, you will feel immense pain that affects your ability to sleep or focus.
Root canal treatment not only gets rid of any infection, but it can also preserve your tooth without resorting to dental extractions. If Dr. Ruggless can detect tooth decay in its early stages, he may be able to treat it with a tooth-colored filling or a dental crown.
We recommend maintaining regular dental visits so Dr. Ruggless can identify and diagnose any dental issues before they become more significant issues that may require root canal therapy or tooth extraction.
We want you to keep your smile as healthy as it is beautiful!
If you have a dental emergency or are experiencing tooth pain or sensitivity, contact Ruggless Dental today at (217) 787-0212 to schedule a dental examination. We do our best to treat dental emergencies quickly and accurately so that you can feel like yourself again. We are always available to treat our patients at any sign of dental distress, and we advise all our patients to seek dental help as soon as pain occurs.
Unlike headaches or cramps, dental pain is not a standard or passing inconvenience. Often, it's a sign of a big oral health issue that will only get worse. Contacting us as soon as possible is your best chance at retaining and keeping your natural teeth.
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