Blog

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 clear aligners are a go-to treatment when it comes to ease of wear and discretion.

Invisalign is the Comfortable Alternative to Traditional Braces

Invisalign technology relies on clear plastic aligners customized to fit your mouth. Every few weeks these aligners are changed out as they gradually move your teeth into the desired ...

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 each patient’s oral health.

Let’s examine what to look for in the right Springfield dentist and dental office.

What to Look for in a Springfield Dentist

Aside from instilling confidence, showing compassion, and addressing your concerns, you want a skilled dentist.

At Ruggless Dental, our Springfield dentist is also a family dentist, which means ...

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 to anything that came before.

Our Springfield dentist creates beautiful dentures for Ruggless Dental patients. These dentures match your bite and fit comfortably. Additionally, our dentures come in a variety of shades to promote a natural looking smile.

In our Springfield dental office, we offer a variety of denture options including:

• Removable full ...

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 of your mouth and serve no meaningful purpose, but they are troublesome sometimes.

Let’s take a closer look at a few reasons why you may need a dental extraction.

Severe Damage or Decay

A severely damaged tooth, due to trauma or breakage, sometimes is not salvageable. The infection has taken over the pulp ...

In our Springfield, IL dental office, we always work hard to save damaged teeth, and dental crowns play a big part in our strategy. A crack, fracture, or decay in your tooth compromises the structure of that tooth, leaving it vulnerable to deeper fractures, infections, or more severe breakage. 
 
However, not all fractures are caused by trauma. Wear and tear may happen even if you maintain optimal oral hygiene, brushing and flossing twice per day. Fortunately, dental crowns can save a tooth damaged by decay and wear.

How Dental Crowns Work

At Ruggless Dental, Dr. Shane Ruggless creates a strong and natural-looking dental crown to support your tooth and restore your ...

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. 

Fillings In the Ancient World

In Trieste, Italy, scientists discovered a 6,000-year-old male skeleton with beeswax fillings in his teeth. This is one of the earliest known examples of dental fillings.

Texts, dating a few hundred years later, describe silver paste as a dental resin used to fill cavities.

Fillings During the Renaissance 

The first known dental book, published in 1530, offers ...

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 or hide many cosmetic issues in one step, which is far more affordable and less time consuming than choosing several different options to achieve a great smile. 

Porcelain veneers camouflage the following:

• Misaligned teeth
• Gaps between teeth
• Discolored teeth
• Teeth unequal in height
• Worn teeth
• Chipped teeth
• Damaged Teeth

What Are Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers are thin, shell-like covers permanently ...