Dental crowns straighten teeth and conceal flaws. Dental bridges complete your smile if you have missing teeth.

Man smiling wearing dental crowns in Springfield, IL

Dental Crowns & Bridges in Springfield, IL

husband and wife with dental crowns in springfield

If you think about all the work that your teeth do each day, it’s surprising they stand up as well as they do. After all, your jaws exert an enormous amount of pressure when chewing.

Even though your enamel is the strongest substance in your body, your teeth sometimes sustain damage from chewing, grinding, and day-to-day wear. At Ruggless Dental in Springfield, IL, it is our job to protect and restore your teeth so that you can enjoy greater longevity, comfort, and a beautiful smile.

Dental Crowns Protect Damaged Teeth

When you crack a tooth or have extensive decay, it can be painful! Additionally, a crack or decay compromises the structure of your tooth, putting it at risk. Dr. Shane Ruggless, DMD creates beautiful, protective, long-lasting dental crowns to support your tooth and restore your comfort.

A crown covers your tooth completely above the gum line and absorbs some of the force from chewing. We create quality dental crowns to match your existing teeth so that your smile appears seamless. We start by removing any damaged or decayed tooth structure and take an impression of your tooth so that we can create a custom dental crown.

When we place your crown, we will make small adjustments to ensure a comfortable fit. With the proper home care and routine dental exams in Springfield, your dental crown can provide many years of service and even save your tooth!

OUR TEAM

Dr. Shane Ruggless DMD

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 ...

Replace Missing Teeth with Dental Bridges

Couple smiling at Illini Country Club in Springfield IL Though we do everything possible to save your existing teeth, sometimes removing a damaged tooth is the best option for your health. For many patients, the question of having a gap in their smiles can be troublesome. We understand! We provide many tooth replacement options to meet every lifestyle.

For patients who cannot have a dental implant due to medical or dental complications, or for patients who simply want a different option, we offer custom dental bridges to complete your smile and chewing surface.

We create a fixed dental bridge with two types of crowns. Abutment crowns suspend one or more pontic crowns to fill in the gap in your smile. Because bridges are not supported by a dental implant, they require special care and consideration. You will need to floss under your bridge and maintain impeccable home care to keep your gums healthy. Healthy gums are a necessity for the longevity of all dentistry! Regular visits with our dentist in Springfield, IL will allow us to monitor your oral health and address any potential problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you put a crown on a decayed tooth?

If you have a deeply decayed tooth that is too damaged for a traditional tooth-colored filling, your dentist may talk to you about a dental crown.

A dental crown is a tooth cap designed to look like neighboring teeth. It restores the tooth, preventing breakage while reinforcing your bite.

Dental Crowns in Springfield, IL

Dental crowns have a variety of practical and essential uses:

Supporting a tooth after a root canal infection
Preventing loss due to severe decay or trauma
Concealing tooth flaws, including chips and stains
Anchoring a dental bridge to healthy teeth
Topping a dental implant post

With cleared infections, trauma, and decay, a dental crown may save you from losing the tooth naturally or to extraction.

Preparing a Tooth for Crowning

Your dentist treats the decay or trauma, shaping the tooth for capping with your custom dental crown. This means leveling the tooth to a degree and removing jagged bits or old filling material. Then, the crown is adjusted for fit and color before we cement it over the tooth.

Contact Your Dentist in Springfield, IL

If you have a broken or crumbling tooth, contact our dental team as soon as possible. Waiting may mean extraction instead of a dental crown. Also, call us if you have any questions about dental restoration.

Can anyone get a dental bridge?

Dental bridges are an effective solution for replacing missing teeth. Unfortunately, not everyone is a candidate for this treatment. If you're wondering whether a dental bridge is right for you, consider the following factors:

Overall oral health. Oral health plays a big role in determining eligibility for a dental bridge. The adjacent teeth that support a bridge, also known as “abutment teeth,” must be sufficiently healthy and strong to provide a stable foundation for the bridge.
Sufficient abutment teeth. To support a dental bridge, a patient must have healthy abutment teeth on both sides of the gap left by their missing teeth. Though these teeth might require dental crowns or other adjustments, they must be structurally capable of supporting the bridge.
Healthy gums. Healthy gums are essential for a successful dental bridge. Patients with gum disease or other gum issues must address these issues before a bridge can be placed.

Ultimately, the best way to determine if you’re a good candidate for a dental bridge is by consulting with your dentist, who will assess your oral health, lay out your options, and provide a recommendation based on your specific situation.

Dental Bridges in Springfield, IL

If you’re looking for a Springfield, IL dentist with the experience and expertise to help you determine whether you’re an appropriate candidate for a dental bridge and ensure the successful placement of that bridge, contact dentist Dr. Shane Ruggless and the Ruggless Dental team to schedule a consultation!

Can dental crowns be whitened if they become discolored?

Dental crowns, typically made from porcelain or ceramic materials, are generally more resistant to staining and discoloration than natural teeth. However, over time, they can develop slight discoloration due to exposure to tobacco products and pigmented foods and beverages.

Unlike natural teeth, dental crowns cannot be whitened using traditional teeth whitening methods like bleaching agents. Since the outside of a crown is not porous like natural enamel, topical whitening agents cannot penetrate the surface to remove stains.

What If My Dental Crown Is Discolored?

If you have a dental crown that’s become discolored, the most effective solution is to have it replaced with a new crown. This option comes at a cost but is the most effective way to restore the natural look of your smile. For guidance on the best course of action, visit your dentist for an assessment of your dental crown discoloration.

Precisely Placing Dental Crowns in Topeka, IL

If you're looking for a top-quality dentist in Springfield, IL, or nearby Topeka to provide you with the guidance and restorative care necessary to ensure the longevity and long-term aesthetics of your dental crowns and smile as a whole, contact Dr. Shane Ruggless, DDS, and our friendly and knowledgeable here at Ruggless Dental to schedule a consultation!

Can a dental bridge be repaired or replaced if it gets damaged?

Dental bridges in Springfield, IL, are prosthetics that stand in when one or two teeth are missing simultaneously (next to one another).

The bridge comprises two custom artificial teeth between dental crowns—one on either end. Your dentist prepares the teeth on either side of your smile gap for crown placement. When the crowns are cemented, the restoration teeth fill your smile gap.

If you damage the crowns or the center bridge, they can be replaced. In some cases, they can also be repaired. First, your dentist in Springfield, IL, must evaluate the prosthetic to see the extent of damage or its current fit.

Often, a broken bridge indicates it’s time for a new one.

Dental Bridge Care

It’s essential to take care of your dental bridge. We recommend using a floss threader or water floss to remove debris from the gumline. This helps prevent gum disease and odor. Additionally, it would be best to clean your bridge and connecting crowns with a special cleaning brush.

Don’t forget to visit the dentist regularly for comprehensive checkups!

Contact Our Dental Office Today

If you’re having issues with your dental bridge or would like to schedule a visit with the dentist, contact a dental team member today.

What is the difference between a dental bridge and a dental implant?

Losing a tooth due to trauma, deep cavities, or periodontal disease leads into the conversation of what the options are to replace the tooth once it’s gone. The options involve removable appliances or something that is fixed in the mouth. If you are considering a fixed solution, it will come down to two options: bridge vs. an implant.

Dental Implants

An implant is a threaded titanium post that is placed into the jaw where the bone will integrate around it. Once the implant is healed an abutment and crown can be attached to the dental implant. This implant crown will look and function like the rest of the teeth in your mouth. The biggest positive in choosing an implant versus a bridge is that we do not have to drill on the adjacent tooth to accomplish our goal of tooth replacement. However, in most cases, the implant process will cost slightly more than a bridge, and will take longer to complete versus doing a dental bridge.

Dental Bridges

Before dental implants, dental bridges had been the go-to procedure for tooth replacement and can provide excellent results. The procedure involves shaping down the teeth on either side of the missing tooth. This then allows a dental crown to go on the two shaped teeth with a third dental crown anchored in the middle. It essentially is three crowns connected together that fill the space of the missing tooth. A dental bridge over an implant makes sense when there isn’t adequate bone for an implant to be placed, health concerns with placing an implant, or if the adjacent teeth already require major work.

Discover Restorative Dentistry in Springfield, IL

Each patient and scenario is unique when deciding your options on tooth replacement. If you are missing a tooth and/or teeth, or know you will be losing a tooth soon, contacting a dentist to discuss options is the best place to start. If you are seeking a dental office who has experience in both dental bridges and dental implants, contact Ruggless Dental today - your Springfield IL dental office.

Crowns and Bridges Smile Gallery

See the Smile Gallery

Personalized Restorative Treatment at Ruggless Dental

Our skilled and experienced dentist, Dr. Ruggless, will discuss all your restorative options with you so that you can make the choice that works best for your own health and lifestyle. We don’t believe in high-pressure dentistry because we value your trust and the role we play in the health of our community.

We provide outstanding dental care in a comfortable and friendly environment. Our patients truly appreciate the personalized care they receive.

Contact Ruggless Dental for Crowns & Bridges in Springfield!

If you have a missing or damaged tooth, contact our dentist office at (217) 787-0212 to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Ruggless. Our entire team looks forward to partnering with you for a lifetime of healthy, happy smiles.

BLOGS

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