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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.Minor Chips and Small FracturesFor anterior (front) teeth, minor chips and small fractures might not compromise the integrity of the tooth. Rather than preparing the tooth for fitting a crown, tooth-colored fillings add to the existing tooth structure, leaving more of your natural tooth structure intact.Since composite comes in a wide range ...

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.What Are Partial Dentures?There are two types of partial dentures – fixed and removable.Many people do not realize that dental bridges are also called fixed partial dentures. They do not move because the artificial tooth or teeth are anchored by crowns to two healthy teeth.Removable partials are the ones that people think of when they have multiple missing teeth throughout the mouth. A removable partial denture includes a base made of cobalt, pink ...

When it comes to replacing missing teeth in Springfield, IL and you are considering dental implants, you might have a number of questions and discover that many dentists have differing opinions. We are here to help.The critical thing to remember is that what works well for you might be different than what works best for someone else. At Ruggless Dental, we will always present all of your treatment options and provide information to help you make the decision that enables you to achieve your goals for your smile.Here are some of the teeth replacement options we offer for people missing one or multiple missing teeth.Dental ImplantsOften considered the best way ...

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 about the future of your smile. If you are having tooth pain and require an emergency dentist in Springfield, we welcome you to get in touch. Ruggless Dental welcomes both existing and brand new patients for emergency dental visits.How to Know if You Have a Dental EmergencyIf something does not ...

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.Do I Need a Root Canal?The only way to know for sure if you need root canal treatment is with a dental exam, which will require an x-ray and diagnosis from Dr. Shane Ruggless. Dr. Ruggless understands that meeting for the first time during a toothache is not ideal and will put you at ease immediately with his experience, skill, and kind nature.A few symptoms ...

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 without complications.Tip #1 Don’t SmokeThe suction required from to smoke could dislodge your healing tissue and cause painful dry socket. Smoking also increases the time it takes to heal.Tip #2 Don’t Drink through a StrawAs with smoking, drinking through a straw causes suction and can disrupt healing. If you want ...

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 every time you brush your teeth – morning and night.As with your natural teeth, your retainer can collect tartar, bacteria, and unpleasant odors. Keeping it clean will give you a clean mouth and fresher breath. Keeping it away from pets is essential too, as they can destroy a retainer in ...