Not all dental emergencies can be avoided, of course. Some come flying out of nowhere, like a sports injury to the face or biting down on something hard enough to crack your tooth. These every day mini-disasters take place all over the country as we speak.
As your preventive and emergency dentist, Dr. Shane Ruggless is always prepared to relieve any pain ...
There is a saying that goes, "Tough times never last, tough people do."
This seems more and more accurate during a time full of challenges and uncertainty. At Ruggless Dental, we want our patients to know that we plan on staying, and we hope they stay with us.
As dental practices shut down temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic, patients have had to ...
It's easy to lose sight of what's important—the beauty of our smile. It looks strong, durable; surely, it can withstand a little abuse? When we let our oral hygiene slip, we can easily fall into a bad routine. The fact is, most dental emergencies that happen are entirely preventable.
If you can't see your dentist, then it's ...
Have you ever leafed through a magazine and felt envious at Hollywood-quality smiles? It seems everywhere you look on social media, and in the entertainment industry, you see incredibly gorgeous smiles.
You might be surprised to learn that most celebrities were not born with their symmetrical, even, brilliantly white smiles. Celebrities like George Clooney, Demi Moore, Hilary Duff are just a few examples of ...
While most dental prosthetics sit above the gum line, dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that actually replaces the entire root of the missing tooth. This gives dental implants advantages over other alternatives.
At Ruggless Dental, we recommend this permanent solution to tooth loss for many reasons, including:
Dr. Shane Ruggless designs each ...
Most of us have something we’d love to change about our smile. This includes straight teeth and an end to overlapping or crowding. However, finding a Springfield, IL dentist to straighten a crooked smile can be a challenge.
Fortunately, at Ruggless Dental, we have a lot of experience when it comes to orthodontic treatment and many satisfied patients as a result.
Invisalign ...
If you’re like most people, you want a dental office and a dentist that instills confidence. You want a compassionate team who will address your concerns and answer your questions. In the event of a dental emergency, you want a team dedicated to treating your situation quickly and saving your teeth.
At Ruggless Dental, we pride ourselves on our commitment to ...
At Ruggless Dental, we’ve heard all the misconceptions about dentures. Some patients think their new dentures won’t look real or fit correctly. The reality is that modern dentures look very natural, and ill-fitting dentures are adjustable.
Modern dentures in our Springfield, IL dental office rely on enhanced materials to provide an aesthetically beautiful appearance. Today’s dentures, in other words, are superior ...
At Ruggless Dental, extracting a damaged tooth is the last resort. Our skilled dentist, in fact, makes this decision only when nothing else can be done.
However, not all dental extractions result from damage or untreated infections. Sometimes, wisdom teeth are extracted, for example, to prevent overcrowding or pain when they fail to erupt properly.
Wisdom teeth are located at the back ...
Dental fillings close cavities in teeth, following the removal of decayed tooth material. The new filling, then, stops bacteria from entering the tooth, eases pain, and helps prevent further decay.
Dental fillings have been a major part of dentistry for a very long time. Let’s look at how dental fillings have evolved through history.
In Trieste, Italy, scientists ...
Grinding, chewing, and possibly genetics can cause your teeth to wear down over time. Age along with certain foods and drinks can contribute to tooth discoloration and erosion.
There are many solutions available to correct or camouflage these cosmetic issues, but the most affordable, versatile, and noninvasive choice is porcelain veneers. With porcelain veneers, you are choosing one option to correct ...
While dental crowns are the gold standard for repairing broken and damaged teeth, fillings can sometimes make a necessary repair and provide a less costly and less invasive option. Dr. Shane Ruggless offers durable tooth-colored fillings here in our Springfield, IL dental practice.
Tooth-colored fillings, also called composite, consist of plastic and glass particles, which look natural and protect teeth.
For some patients, dental implant surgery is not possible because of health challenges or medications that could complicate the procedure or integration process. For this reason, partial dentures remain a popular choice in our Springfield, IL dental office.
There are two types of partial dentures – fixed and removable.
Many people do not realize that dental bridges are also ...
As a kid, it was normal for deciduous (baby) teeth to fall out and the excitement of putting the tooth under your pillow was enough motivation to actually wiggle those teeth holding on by a thread right out. After all, pillow cash delivered by a fairy is magical.
As an adult, a troubled tooth causes anxiety and a number of questions ...
Don’t let the rumors fool you when it comes to root canals and their association with pain. Root canals relieve rather than cause pain and can help save your tooth when treated promptly. We welcome dental emergencies and provide comfortable root canals in our Springfield dental office.
The only way to know for sure if you need ...
We recommend dental extractions in our Springfield dental office only when all other treatment options will not work because keeping your own teeth is often the simplest solution to protect your smile. When you do have an extraction, however, we will give you the support you need to heal comfortably and quickly.
Here are some tips that will help you heal ...
Regular retainer use after your Invisalign treatment in Springfield, IL will prevent your teeth from moving back toward their original location. This is an essential part of the treatment process. Don’t worry; you will soon be able to graduate to retainer use at night only.
An easy way to keep your retainer clean is to brush it with a soft-bristled brush ...
A dead tooth sounds like a big problem, and it can be, but if you want a dentist in Springfield, IL to find a solution, Dr. Shane Ruggless can help. A dead tooth does not necessarily mean a dental extraction; in fact, that is the last resort.
Teeth consist of three parts: enamel, dentin, and pulp. The pulp is composed of ...
Whitening your teeth requires both a financial and time commitment. When you finally reach your ideal shade, keeping it that way is important. How quickly your teeth need a touch-up depends mostly on your habits and lifestyle.
We offer both speedy in-office teeth whitening and convenient custom take-home teeth whitening in our Springfield, IL dental office.
Here are some easy ways to ...
Cavities are one of the most common preventable conditions in both adults and children. We take care of fillings in our Springfield, IL dental office using natural-looking tooth-colored composite.
While a significant reduction in the instances of tooth decay in recent years has helped patients keep their smiles healthy, it is still a common occurrence due to the amount of sugar ...
People are living longer than ever and staying active well into their golden years – both professionally and socially. Naturally, this dramatically improves the quality of life seniors enjoy today compared with decades ago.
As a result, looking their best is essential to many of our patients. Your smile is an integral part of how you feel about yourself and your ...
This time of year it seems that parties fall nearly every other day. If you have company parties or family reunions on the calendar, you probably want to look your best. In addition to the proper attire, you might be thinking about the appearance of your smile, especially if it is a bit darker than it used to be.
The holidays ...
Dry mouth feels uncomfortable, especially when trying to speak with that pasty feeling gluing your tongue to the roof of your mouth. Did you know that dry mouth may also contribute to oral health conditions?
Saliva helps to combat gum disease and having a chronically dry mouth may cause you to develop an infection or recession of the gums. Irritation ...
Bad breath may cause people to wrinkle their noses or back away when you’re talking. How embarrassing!
The problem is that most people with bad breath don't know they have it. Having temporary odors caused by onions, garlic, or curry is one thing. Having chronic bad breath is a bigger problem.
Here are some ways you can reduce your chances of having ...
It’s not sugar alone that affects the health and appearance of your smile. Acid is the real culprit when it comes to eroding enamel. Even more than candy or sweets, certain drinks pose a big threat to your pearly whites. Here are a few beverages that might be causing your smile trouble.
It’s not just sugary soda ...
A common saying, aging is not for the weak. It means that as we age, we face a number of health challenges that can interfere with a high quality of life. These can include conditions causing chronic pain, medical conditions, more frequent doctor visits, and even necessary treatments to help you stay healthy.
Your teeth and gums are no different than ...
When thinking of your oral health, your mouth likely comes to mind, but if you think about eating, kissing, speaking, and smiling, it really is much more than that. After all, your teeth and smile is part of almost everything you do. You use your smile to convey emotion, friendliness, and love. Your smile means a lot to those who ...
Having gum disease puts your health at risk. It seems like every new study that emerges outlines a link between gum disease and another system in the body.
These include:
Circulatory risks – heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure
Respiratory risks – COPD and chronic bronchitis
Nervous system risks – Alzheimer’s
Reproductive risks – low birth weight babies
Now a new study ...
Modern women have a number of complex concerns when it comes to staying healthy and enjoying increased vitality as they age. Since people are living longer and staying socially and professionally active beyond middle age, staying tuned-in to the latest information can give you the necessary knowledge to maintain optimum health.
Though more men suffer from periodontal disease than women – ...
We all know that sugary foods can cause decay, but we also consume beverages that put our teeth at risk every day. Beverages can not only cause decay but also stain teeth rapidly, making your smile looker darker and more aged than it needs to be.
Dark sodas like Coke and Pepsi are full of sugar ...
Everyone knows by now that smoking is bad for your health and can lead to conditions such as lung cancer and heart disease. The impact of tobacco use on oral health goes beyond just the main health problems we hear about every day. Tobacco contains a number of chemicals and carcinogens that create a perfect storm for certain oral health ...
Having a root canal can save a tooth from requiring an extraction by removing bacteria and infection from inside your tooth. We offer comfortable root canals here in our Springfield dental office. Opting for a root canal instead of an extraction can dramatically extend the life of your tooth.
The proper care is essential to keeping your root canal tooth ...
You know your body better than anyone, and when you encounter a change in your oral health, you might wonder whether you could let it go for a little longer or if you should have it treated right away by scheduling an emergency dental exam.
When in doubt, you are always welcome to contact Ruggless Dental. Our team can ...
March is National Nutrition Month and a great time to discuss all the ways that your diet can affect the health of your teeth. You have probably grown up hearing that calcium and vitamin D are the keys to success when relating the foods we eat to the health of your teeth.
The truth is that ...
Gum disease can sneak up on anyone.
Even if you have great home care and twice-yearly dental appointments, a change in your medical health, hormone fluctuations, and even stress can all affect the health of your gums. If you have systemic conditions, such as diabetes, you may suddenly find yourself battling gum disease when you have never suffered from it ...
You are looking for a dentist, and a quick search shows an overwhelming amount of options of dentists near you. How do you know which one to choose? Here are some tips to filter through the many choices to find the best fit for you!
When people think of dentures, it often comes with a negative connotation, or an image of your grandmother adjusting or removing her dentures. However, when dentures are fitted properly, they can actually be extremely comfortable and effective, without anyone knowing that you are wearing them! In fact, one of the most popular choices for dentures today is to have ...
Dental fillings are one of the most common dental procedures. A filling is needed when a tooth begins to decay, and the bacteria in the mouth creates an infection and hole in the tooth. This is called a cavity, and treating it with a filling will prevent more decay from forming in the same area of that tooth. ...
Finding a great dentist can make a huge difference in your overall experience with any treatments you have. But finding a great dentist is only one step- you also need to find an office that you feel comfortable in as well! Here are some tips on finding the right dental office environment for your needs:
If your teeth have experienced severe decay, gum disease, or trauma, it might be time to look into teeth replacement options. Dentures are one of the most popular choices available today for tooth replacement for several reasons. Working with an experienced dentist will ensure that you get the treatment that is best for your unique needs, so visiting a ...
Root canals need to be performed when a tooth has experienced severe decay, past the point of a regular cavity. While a normal cavity can be addressed with a filling, which is a fairly fast and affordable process, if a tooth becomes more severely decayed, a root canal is a more in-depth procedure. That being said, it's still common, ...
Cavities are a common issue today, and even if you keep up with your at-home dental care and dental visits, they can still occur. The best way to ensure that cavities don't turn into more serious issues is to visit your dentist often for exams and cleanings, and for cavity treatments.
Knowing what causes cavities ...
Do you have teeth that are darkening or changing colors? This can indicate some dental conditions that may require attention. In other cases, it may be natural staining that occurs when you eat or drink staining foods. In other cases, if you use tobacco, it can dramatically stain your teeth.
Certain prescription medication can cause your teeth to darken ...
Once you have invested in dental implants, taking care of them is essential to their function and longevity. If you are seeking dental implants in the Springfield area, we can help you get the most out of your dental implants and protect your smile!
Dental implants most closely mimic your natural teeth. They can complete your smile without creating dietary ...
Because of how dentures used to look, many people have misconceptions about wearing dentures. If you need dentures in the Springfield, IL area, we recommend that you contact us to schedule a consultation with Dr. Ruggless. He is experienced at creating comfortable, esthetic dentures that give you the freedom to eat more foods and enjoy smiling again.
Dentures ...
You probably know that smoking can cause lung cancer, respiratory problems, and cost you a load of money from month to month. Did you know, however, that smoking or using chewing tobacco can have a serious negative impact on the health and appearance of your smile? One of the most deadly and disfiguring forms of cancer is oral cancer. It ...
At Ruggless Dental, we work with our patients to establish healthy home care routines, a good preventive dentistry treatment plan, and regularly review the heath of your teeth to avoid tooth extractions whenever possible.
We understand that a tooth extraction can put your health and your appearance at risk and we use tooth extractions as a last resort to protect your ...
Though most dental concerns can be treated without the need for an extraction, there are some situations where having a tooth pulled is necessary. The most common reasons an extraction is needed are severe tooth decay, crowding, or for wisdom teeth removal. At Ruggless Dental, we perform almost all extractions in our office to give our patients the comfort of ...
Many people have misconceptions about dentures, but they have actually come a long way in the past few years. With newer technology, your dentist is able to customize your dentures to fit more comfortably, have more stability, and look more natural. There are several types of dentures to fit your needs whether you are missing all your teeth or just ...