Ruggless Dental
General Dentistry
Healthy Teeth & Gums for Your Family

Our dental team is highly experienced with patients of all ages. Look no further for your new family dentist in Springfield!

Family of five smiling at dentist near me Springfield IL

Are You Overdue for a Dental Exam and Cleaning?

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Dental Exams and Cleanings in Springfield, IL

General dentistry provides all the essential services that families need to maintain good oral health. Dr. Shane Ruggless, DMD and our entire team at Ruggless Dental have experience treating patients of all ages—from toddlers to kids, teens, adults, and seniors.

Your oral health needs change throughout your lifetime. Having a general dental team that customizes your treatment based on your changing needs can keep every smile in your family healthy, comfortable, and beautiful.

The Importance of Preventive Dental Care

Preventive dentistry provides one of the best ways that you can protect your smile and avoid dental emergencies.

  • Dental exams
  • Diagnostic x-rays
  • Professional dental cleanings

By making your scheduled preventive dental appointments, you give our team the opportunity to detect and treat common dental problems before they result in pain or tooth loss.

Services for Damaged or Missing Teeth

When you do have a cavity or a damaged tooth, the proper dental restoration can protect it and give it a longer, more comfortable life.

Dental fillings seal your tooth after Dr. Ruggless removes all signs of decay. We can match your filling to the color of your tooth so that it does not negatively impact the appearance of your smile. No one will even notice it!

A dental crown protects a damaged tooth after a fracture or large cavity. It gives your tooth stability and reduces sensitivity and discomfort. Dental crowns in Springfield, IL also protect teeth after having a root canal.

When a tooth needs to be removed to protect your oral health, we also offer:

At our Springfield dentist office, we offer a full range of cosmetic dental services for those patients wishing to improve the appearance of their smiles.

OUR TEAM

    Dr. Shane Ruggless DMD, dentist in Springfield, IL

    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 days that he wanted to become a dentist. ...

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Emergency Dentistry in Springfield, IL

If you are experiencing a dental emergency near Springfield and do not yet have an emergency dentist to take care of you, the Ruggless Dental team invites you to contact us at (217) 787-0212. We treat all varieties of dental emergencies, often on the same day. Of course, the faster you let us know that something has changed with your oral health, the faster we can get you back on track to good health.

Dental emergencies that require an immediate appointment include any condition that involves pain and any situation where you have a knocked-out tooth. Painful conditions could mean an infection or fracture, or that decay has advanced to the nerve, which is an advanced form of the condition.

A knocked-out (avulsed) tooth can sometimes be saved with prompt treatment. Keep the tooth from drying out and avoid handling it by the root, and Dr. Ruggless may be able to replace it and stabilize it long enough for it to heal properly.

Broken crowns, fillings, or lost restorations can sometimes be a dental emergency. Call our Springfield, IL dental office to get the answers you need. Our helpful team will guide you through the process necessary to have you feeling like yourself again in no time.

Affordable Treatments at Ruggless Dental

Patient smiling looking into hand mirror at dentist near me Springfield ILWe know that most families work on a budget these days. We are committed to helping you fit the dental care you need into your budget. From estimating insurance to offering dental patient financing, we do our best to make it easy for you to get great dentistry at Ruggless Dental.

If you are getting a particular dental treatment and would like to pay for it over time, we offer CareCredit financing to make it easier on your budget. CareCredit is a third-party financing company that specializes in health care, dental, veterinary care, and vision financing. They offer both six- and twelve-month interest-free financing options, and you do not accrue interest during that time.

It is easy to find out if you qualify for CareCredit. You can apply online at carecredit.com and get an answer right away. Be sure you enter our office as your preferred dental office so that it links to us, making payment easier.

If you need additional help or have questions about insurance coverage, benefits, the cost of your treatment, payment options, or anything else, you can visit our financial page or simply give our Springfield, IL dental office a call. We are always happy to help and look forward to giving you great dental care!

Frequently Asked Questions

woman smiling in dental chair after dental cleaning in Springfield, ILYou know that feeling you get after a dental cleaning? Your teeth feel delightful and yummy; there's a squeaky cleanness to them that makes running your tongue over your teeth difficult to resist. That fresh smoothness from polished teeth is a treat.

But are your teeth whiter after a dental cleaning? 

Routine Dental Cleanings in Springfield, IL

When you come in for your regular professional dental cleaning, Dr. Shane Ruggless or your Springfield dental hygienist will get rid of any hard buildup of plaque and tartar from all surfaces of your teeth. The plaque and tartar can have a yellowish hue that can dull your smile. 

Once this step is done, we apply a paste that polishes the surface of your teeth and further removes any stains that have accumulated (we're looking at you, coffee). So, yes, in fact—your teeth are whiter after a dental cleaning. 

Why Everyone Should Stay on Top of Their Dental Cleanings

White, polished, smooth smiles are just one benefit of a teeth cleaning. You'll notice how fresh your breath is. Plus, you can go about your day knowing that you've done your due diligence in the war against cavities, periodontal disease, and more. 

Dental cleanings protect your teeth and remove bacteria that can cause infection and disease—both of which can result in tooth loss. 

Regular teeth cleanings every six months benefit your oral health as well as your general well-being. 

If you have insurance, you should take advantage of your teeth cleaning since most insurance policies pay the full cost of preventive dental care.

Call Today to Schedule Your Next Appointment in 62704

Call Ruggless Dental today to keep your mouth happy and healthy. 

man getting dental exam & cleaning in Springfield ILIn a perfect world, everyone would brush and floss every day without fail.

Still, even in that world, plaque happens. It builds up, and only a dental professional can remove that accumulation. Plaque contains harmful bacteria that can ruin all your plans, like your enamel, even your entire tooth. 

This is why regular visits to your favorite dentists in Springfield can help us get rid of existing plaque and identify any dental health issues. Dr. Ruggless can determine when dental problems can become infections, disease, abscesses. By maintaining regular dental visits with us, we can prevent dental emergencies and treat dental problems while they are still small. 

A six-month dental cleaning and exam not only keeps your mouth clean and, but it also allows Dr. Shane Ruggless to identify potential future dental emergencies. 

Family & Preventive Dentistry in Springfield, IL

For some patients, six months may not be enough to maintain optimal oral health. Based on your oral health history, rate of plaque buildup, and pattern of tooth decay—we may recommend seeing us every 3 or 4 months instead. 

If you have any questions about our dental check-ups and exams or would like to schedule an appointment, please don't hesitate to call Ruggless Dental today at (217) 787-0212!

A chipped or cracked tooth can impact your life beyond just appearances. It can be painful and damaging to your dental health. Chipped teeth can make life hard for neighboring teeth and could invite infection and fracturing. 

If you have a chipped tooth, your Springfield, IL dentist can treat it using different options, depending on how severe the break is. 

Treatments That Can Fix Chipped Teeth

Dental Bonding: One of our most popular cosmetic treatments, this minimally invasive, simple procedure uses composite resin to fill in any cracks, chips, or gaps in just one dental visit.

Porcelain Veneers: Chipped, stained, misshapen, or gapped smiles can be restored to their former beauty using wafer-thin translucent dental veneers. Dr. Ruggless adheres the veneers to the front surface of your tooth to protect and enhance it. 

Dental Crown: Weakened or damaged teeth need additional protection and stabilization in the form of dental crowns. Tooth crowns cover your tooth all the way to the gum line. We often recommend dental crowns after a root canal procedure or with dental implants. 

Contact Ruggless Dental for Chipped Tooth Repair

A chipped tooth is never fun, but we can make it easy for you to fix it. Call Ruggless Dental today at (217) 787-0212 so we can help.

Our dentist office is located off South Veterans Parkway and West Monroe Street near Schlitt Park in Springfield, IL. We look forward to working with you! 

Preventive dentistry includes a full range of dental services to maintain the health of your teeth and gums.

Woman receiving preventive dental exam at Springfield dentist officeAt Ruggless Dental, we offer general dental treatments like routine exams, teeth cleanings, x-rays,  tooth-colored fillings, and more to help identify and treat dental issues.

You're never too young or old to take care of your teeth, which is why we always recommend a strict at-home routine of brushing and flossing. Oral health care starts young, during childhood, and often lasts for the rest of your life. 

Our dental exams are family-friendly and allow us to maintain and treat any signs of tooth decay or gum disease. To keep your teeth and gums in tip-top shape, we recommend seeing your Springfield, IL family dentist, Dr. Shane Ruggless. 

During your dental exam, we also screen for signs of oral cancer, evaluate your gums' health, and use x-rays to identify anything unusual. 

Patients who have any questions about their oral health, including diet and nutrition, are always welcome to let us know.

Finding a Trusted Dentist in Springfield, IL

We always want our patients to access the best dentistry available so they can enjoy their smiles for a lifetime.

If it's been a while since you've seen us, contact Ruggless Dental at (217) 787-0212 to schedule your next dental exams and cleaning.

We look forward to seeing you and your family!

Schedule Your Next Exam & Teeth Cleaning in Springfield, IL!

Contact Ruggless Dental at (217) 787-0212 to schedule your next dental appointment. We look forward to providing you and your family with comfortable, customized dental care in the Springfield area. 

BLOGS

girl after a teeth cleaning in springfield

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