At Ruggless Dental, our goal is to save your teeth. However, severe damage, decay, or trauma can lead to dental extractions or periodic tooth loss, which is devastating.
Dr. Shane Ruggless, DMD understands how distressing tooth loss can be to your self-esteem. He knows that tooth loss interferes with your bite and the way you speak. Our dentist in Springfield, IL simply wants you to regain your oral health and feel free to smile again and to enjoy your favorite meals without worry.
Dental implants are the gold standard in tooth replacement, and we have seen many patients reclaim both their bite and livelihoods after dental implant placement. The “reveal” moment is probably our favorite part of the dental implant journey!
If you’re considering dental implants near Springfield, or would like to schedule an implant consultation with Dr. Shane Ruggless, contact our dental office today at (217) 787-0212. 
A dental implant restoration is the best replacement for a lost tooth on the planet. There is simply nothing available today that looks or functions more like a natural tooth than a dental implant restoration!
Dental implants do more than just give you a beautiful smile. Other benefits of dental implants include:
Your dental implant post, which is made of titanium, should last a lifetime provided you take care of your gums and visit our top Springfield, IL dentist regularly. Remember, your dental implant is located below the gumline and not exposed to wear and tear, but the restoration tooth is located above the gumline to enhance your smile.
While your dental implant is meant to last forever, your restoration tooth may need replacing in the future due to wear or trauma.
The better you care for your restoration tooth, however, the longer it will last. Our dental team can provide tips to help you get more mileage out of your restoration.
At Ruggless Dental, we want you to have a beautiful new smile without compromising your family’s budget, which is why we have teamed with CareCredit, a third-party financing company that helps people just like you get the care they want and deserve.
CareCredit provides full financing to qualified individuals, and they offer easy repayment options, too. Paying off your CareCredit balance on time also means a new smile with no interest!
You can also use your CareCredit card for other health-related procedures and treatments—cosmetic or otherwise!
Our Springfield dentist office also accepts most major credit cards.
Further, your dental insurance may cover the cost of extractions or offer a denture benefit to assist with the cost of implant-supported dentures. Our team can help you sort out insurance coverage and assist you in applying for CareCredit. CareCredit acceptance generally takes only a few minutes!
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. ...
Most healthy adults are good candidates for dental implants. However, Dr. Shane Ruggless will evaluate your oral and physical health to make sure you’re a good candidate for our dental implants.
In rare cases, bone loss in your jaw due to missing teeth could mean bone grafting to provide a solid foundation for your dental implant. We refer patients to a trusted surgeon for implant post-placement and possible bone grafting.
Our Springfield implant dentist will ask you comprehensive medical questions during your evaluation to make sure that dental implant restoration is right for you.
During this initial evaluation, you can ask any questions or share any relevant medical concerns that you may have.
An implant is a threaded titanium post that is placed into the jaw where the bone will integrate around it. Once the implant heals, an abutment and crown are attached to this implant. This implant crown will look and function just 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 it will take longer to complete compared with a dental bridge.
Before dental implants, bridges were the go-to for tooth replacement. Dental bridges still provide excellent results as well.
Dental bridges involve shaping down teeth on either side of the missing tooth. This allows a dental crown to fit between the two shaped teeth.
A bridge over an implant makes sense when there isn’t adequate bone for implant placement.
When planning for dental implant restorations in our Springfield, IL dental office, we work closely with some of the area’s finest oral surgeons, who will place your dental implant in the ideal location for outstanding results.
With a success rate of more than 95 percent, dental implants are one of the most reliable and long-term ways to replace a missing tooth in the wake of extraction or accident that causes the loss of your natural tooth.
To create your dental implant crown with the proper size and shape, we will need to take impressions of your tooth and bite. We will use this information to create a dental implant crown out of porcelain or ceramic that fits perfectly with your teeth and bite.
Dental implants crowns sit on top of an attachment, called an abutment, that screws into the top of your dental implant. Abutments determine the angle at which your crown will sit in relation to your other teeth. This helps ensure that your bite and smile are properly aligned.
Of course, Dr. Shane Ruggless will also ensure that the shade and coloring of your dental crown blend in perfectly with your natural teeth. No one will see your dental implant, just your smile, which is why so many of our patients opt for dental implant restoration in our Springfield, IL dental office!
Dental implants are a safe, surgical procedure to replace missing teeth. In fact, implants have a very high success rate. If you are at high risk for surgery, your Springfield IL dentist will go through any potential complications. Any allergies to metals like copper, zinc, lead, iron, or nickel will not be an eligible candidate for dental implants in Springfield.
Good candidates for tooth implants near Springfield, IL have healthy gums and enough bone density to support the implant. Patients with gum disease or decay must first be treated before going through with dental implants.
Dental implants are considered a great alternative to dentures or dental bridges since they don't slip or cause bone damage. As with any oral surgery procedure, dental implant placement can have some health risks. Although rare, these risks can be easily treated if they do occur. Risks include:
The entire process for dental implants can take up to six months. Most of that time is dedicated to healing and allowing the implant to anchor to the jawbone. Pain medication or antibiotics might be necessary after the dental implant procedure. Any pain or swelling that does not go away should be looked at by your oral surgeon.
Risks are always inherent in any surgical procedure, but with tooth implant surgery, the risks are low. Any signs of pain, swelling, or infection can be treated immediately by our Springfield IL dental team. At Ruggless Dental, we prioritize safety and promote excellent oral health of all our patients. Contact us today at (217) 787-0212 to schedule your next appointment!
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.
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 BridgesBefore 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.
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.
Most of our patients are suitable candidates for dental implants. However, you may require pretreatments to help make dental implants a reality. The best candidates for dental implants in Springfield, IL, satisfy the following criteria:
It’s important to note that not satisfying the above criteria does not rule you out for dental implants! We can discuss bone grafting and other pretreatments to help make dental implants a reality.
Dental implants are known for their longevity and durability. They are titanium tooth roots implanted in the jawbone. These roots integrate into the bone over several weeks. When fusing finishes, we top the implants with dental crowns that act as new teeth. We can also fit you with a fixed denture, using up to six dental implant roots.
With dental implants, you’ll not have to restrict crunchy foods or avoid complex chewing. You’ll also enjoy the easy maintenance—brush, floss, and see your dentist regularly for checkups!
To learn whether you’re a dental implant candidate or have questions about tooth replacement, contact a dental team member at (217) 787-0212.
We are happy to work with CareCredit financing.
Depending on how well you care for an implant, the dental crown may need to be replaced over time.
Crowns, like all restorations, wear over time. However, if you care for it properly, the implant itself has the potential to last a lifetime.
The good news is that there are steps you can take to ensure the health and longevity of your implant crown. Here's what you should know.
Hard or crunchy foods could damage your porcelain implant crown, causing breakdown or fractures. Cutting hard foods into smaller bite-sized pieces will help protect your restoration.
Daily brushing and flossing will protect your smile and the health of your restorations, like fillings and crowns.
Brushing and flossing around your dental implant is simple because it's just like a natural tooth. So, caring for your dental implant is straightforward.
Your dentist will check the health of your restorations with an exam and x-rays during your routine checkups every six months. They can inform you of any wear or breakdown of your dental implant that could cause future problems.
If you have questions about dental implants in Springfield, IL, contact your team at Ruggless Dental at (217) 787-0212 for more information.
A dental implant is a thin but strong titanium post that our top dentist surgically implants in your jaw. This post fuses with your jawbone over several months. When this fusing is complete, you are ready for an abutment and your restoration tooth.
We refer you to a trusted surgeon for post-placement, but Dr. Shane Ruggless designs your restoration to look exactly like your existing teeth. Everything from the shape to the color allows the restoration to blend seamlessly with your smile.
In no time, you’ll be eating your favorite foods. You’ll notice bite improvement and a renewed self-confidence.
No one will even know your life-like dental restoration is an implant! Visit our smile gallery page to see results from dental implant placement at Ruggless Dental!
When you have a surgical procedure—even a minor procedure like dental implant placement—you will have some discomfort, which might include mild swelling.
However, dental implant surgery is not especially painful, and our patients have suggested that the recovery is similar to what you would expect from most dental work. Generally, the swelling and discomfort only last a day or two.
During your implant placement, our dentist in Springfield, IL will make sure you’re relaxed and comfortable.
Smoking or certain medications may slow down your healing time. Make sure to share the names of your medications with your trusted surgeon or a member of his or her dental team.
Also, they will provide aftercare instructions to keep you comfortable at home! Dental implants couldn't get any easier.
Dental implant posts are extremely strong, which means a few well-placed dental implants can support a full arch of new teeth or a denture.
Implant-supported dentures are a great option for those who do not want to deal with denture slippage due to bone loss, adhesives, and realigns. Affixed dentures offer a more permanent solution to total tooth loss.
At Ruggless Dental, our dentures are made from high-quality materials and look just like natural teeth.
Another reason a dental implant is considered the gold standard in tooth replacement is that it requires no special care. No adhesives. No alignments. In other words, you care for a dental implant restoration the same way you care for a natural tooth. It’s that simple!
Our dental staff suggest that you follow guidelines put forward by the American Dental Association, which include:
Dental implants—even full-mouth restorations—will not prevent dental emergencies brought by gum infection or the onset of periodontal disease. Either of these dental issues can cause your dental implant to fail.
At Ruggless Dental, we want your dental implant or implants to last. In addition to practical guidelines, our caring Springfield dental team will provide all aftercare instructions to help you maintain your dental implants for life.
Dental implants are the gold standard of tooth replacement because they’re strong, long-lasting, and built to blend right in. But if smoking is part of your daily routine, it could be crashing the party and putting your dental implant’s success at risk. Here's what you need to know.
Does tooth loss cause you to hide your smile? Do you think about it frequently? Maybe you’re ready to investigate tooth replacement. This blog helps you decide which option might be best for you.
In our dental office, we offer:
Below, we’ll discuss how dental implants compare ...
You have missing teeth, low confidence, and difficulty chewing. Your remaining teeth are at risk due to shifting and general wear.
As a dentist in Springfield, IL, I understand how you feel and the uncertainty that can result when seeking tooth replacement.
Fortunately, my compassionate team and I can help restore your ...
If you are near Springfield, IL, and are considering dental implants, Dr. Shane Ruggless and his dental team are committed to helping you achieve the smile of your dreams! Contact Ruggless Dental today at (217) 787-0212 to schedule a consultation with our dentist.
