EXPERT
Dr. Justin Warren Ruffner, D.D.S.
Dentist
Dr. Justin Ruffner is a Dentist practicing in North Dartmouth, MA. Dr. Ruffner specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases and conditions associated with the mouth and overall dental health. Dentists are trained to carry out such treatment as professional cleaning, restorative, prosthodontic, and endodontic procedures, and performing examinations, among many others.
20 years
Experience
Dr. Justin Warren Ruffner, D.D.S.
- South Wellfleet, MA
- University of Maryland
- Accepting new patients
No results found
Can teeth gaps close naturally in adults?
Rarely if ever do healthy teeth move on their own without orthodontic intervention.
Justin W. Ruffner, D.D.S.
Justin W. Ruffner, D.D.S.
Can I drive after dental implant procedure?
If you are properly licensed to drive in your state, then you can drive after an implant with local anesthesia only.
Justin W. Ruffner, D.D.S.
Justin W. Ruffner, D.D.S.
How can I remove tooth decay myself?
It is not advisable to attempt to excavate decay yourself.
Justin W. Ruffner, D.D.S.
Justin W. Ruffner, D.D.S.
How do you know if you need a deep cleaning?
The most reliable way is radiographs. Calcified plaque adhering to the root surfaces will be evident on radiographs.
Justin W. Ruffner, DDS
Justin W. Ruffner, DDS
Can an old filling be replaced?
Sometimes, but not always you can replace an old filling with a new filling. A lot depends on why it’s being replaced. If it’s just a cosmetic thing, swapping out for a new filling READ MORE
Sometimes, but not always you can replace an old filling with a new filling. A lot depends on why it’s being replaced. If it’s just a cosmetic thing, swapping out for a new filling can be done pretty simply.
Justin W. Ruffner, DDS
Justin W. Ruffner, DDS
At what age do gums start receding?
Ideally, never. Gum recession is not a part of the aging process. There are numerous reasons why it can happen, but ideally, none of those things happen.
Justin W. Ruffner, READ MORE
Ideally, never. Gum recession is not a part of the aging process. There are numerous reasons why it can happen, but ideally, none of those things happen.
Justin W. Ruffner, DDS
Justin W. Ruffner, DDS
What is the difference between root planing and scaling?
Scaling refers to removing calcified debris from the crown or top of the tooth. Root planing is when the same debris are removed below the level of the gum tissue.
Justin W. READ MORE
Scaling refers to removing calcified debris from the crown or top of the tooth. Root planing is when the same debris are removed below the level of the gum tissue.
Justin W. Ruffner, DDS
Justin W. Ruffner, DDS
Can you get gum disease with dentures?
The short answer is no, not in the sense you are thinking anyway. You can, however, get a variety of fungal infections, benign soft tissue growths and more serious soft tissue READ MORE
The short answer is no, not in the sense you are thinking anyway. You can, however, get a variety of fungal infections, benign soft tissue growths and more serious soft tissue growths. We recommend our complete denture patients be seen every 6 months to have the fit of their dentures checked. We also look at all the tissue at that time.
Justin W. Ruffner, DDS
Justin W. Ruffner, DDS
How do you know if a cavity needs a root canal?
While I can't make a diagnosis without seeing the tooth and having a radiograph, based on the symptoms you are describing, I would say it is highly likely you will need root canal READ MORE
While I can't make a diagnosis without seeing the tooth and having a radiograph, based on the symptoms you are describing, I would say it is highly likely you will need root canal therapy to save the tooth. Once a cavity is deep enough to give you spontaneous pain or severe pain to chewing and/or temperatures it is too late for just a filling. I would recommend you seek treatment at a dental office you can trust sooner than later.
Good luck!
Justin W Ruffner, DDS
Good luck!
Justin W Ruffner, DDS
Are antibiotics necessary after dental implant surgery?
Yes. Surgery just about anywhere else on the body can be done with relative sterility. The mouth is full of bacteria, we can’t change that, but we can decrease the likelihood of READ MORE
Yes. Surgery just about anywhere else on the body can be done with relative sterility. The mouth is full of bacteria, we can’t change that, but we can decrease the likelihood of a post-op infection with antibiotics. I typically give a 3-4 day course when I place implants.
Justin W. Ruffner, DDS
Justin W. Ruffner, DDS
What's the best painkiller for tooth extraction?
The movement is toward non-narcotic post op pain medications. For my patients, I recommend alternating Ibuprofen with acetaminophen(Tylenol) every 4 hours. Most of the time, the READ MORE
The movement is toward non-narcotic post op pain medications. For my patients, I recommend alternating Ibuprofen with acetaminophen(Tylenol) every 4 hours. Most of the time, the decision to prescribe a narcotic analgesic is made based on the clinical judgment of the provider extracting the tooth. If you have concerns voice them prior to starting so, your provider can explain how they usually handle post-op discomfort. Hopefully the tooth comes out nice and easy and your recovery is uneventful.
Justin W. Ruffner, DDS
Justin W. Ruffner, DDS
Do I need to go to a prosthodontist to have a bridge?
No. Most general dentists are comfortable doing simple bridge work. If you are concerned, just ask the dentist. I’m sure he or she will tell you if it’s something that is beyond READ MORE
No. Most general dentists are comfortable doing simple bridge work. If you are concerned, just ask the dentist. I’m sure he or she will tell you if it’s something that is beyond the scope of their training.
Justin W. Ruffner, DDS
Justin W. Ruffner, DDS
How long is a crown supposed to last?
It’s very difficult to say without seeing the tooth and having a radiograph of the tooth. That said, it sounds like the cement used to bond the crown to the tooth has de-bonded. READ MORE
It’s very difficult to say without seeing the tooth and having a radiograph of the tooth. That said, it sounds like the cement used to bond the crown to the tooth has de-bonded. The crown itself is likely okay. The research indicates the average lifespan of a crown is 8 years, but as with anything else in the mouth this varies greatly depending on how well the patient cares for it, the material used and the condition of the tooth prior to the crown going on. If possible, go back to the dentist that placed the crown and let them take a look.
Hope this was helpful!
Justin W. Ruffner, DDS
Hope this was helpful!
Justin W. Ruffner, DDS
Why do my teeth keep breaking?
It is very difficult to say without more information. If you haven’t seen a dentist in a while (3+ years), they would be breaking because they are undermined by decay. It could READ MORE
It is very difficult to say without more information. If you haven’t seen a dentist in a while (3+ years), they would be breaking because they are undermined by decay. It could also be due to clenching or grinding. I would recommend finding a dentist you trust and let them take a look.
Justin W. Ruffner, DDS
Justin W. Ruffner, DDS
What is the cause of my tooth pain?
Most likely you have a small cavity somewhere. Find a dentist you can trust and have an exam and possibly some radiographs to find out what’s up.
Is a dry socket an infection?
Dry socket, by definition is not an infection. It is premature loss of the blood clot that forms in the extraction socket. In some cases it is prudent to cover the patient with READ MORE
Dry socket, by definition is not an infection. It is premature loss of the blood clot that forms in the extraction socket. In some cases it is prudent to cover the patient with an antibiotic not to treat, but to prevent an infection.
Hope this is helpful.
Justin W. Ruffner, DDS
Hope this is helpful.
Justin W. Ruffner, DDS
Is it okay to swallow the gel applied for a mouth ulcer?
Swallowing an OTC gel for aphthous ulcers will not be harmful.
Justin W. Ruffner, DDS
Justin W. Ruffner, DDS
Is oil pulling ever recommended by dentists?
I am unaware of any studies to substantiate the effectiveness of swishing with oil. That said, many popular OTC mouthwashes contain essential oils which have been proven to be READ MORE
I am unaware of any studies to substantiate the effectiveness of swishing with oil. That said, many popular OTC mouthwashes contain essential oils which have been proven to be effective at reducing the numbers of oral bacteria. As far as detoxifying the body, in a healthy adult, the liver and kidneys do that for us.
Will frequent teeth cleanings remove spots from my teeth?
It depends. Some brown spots could be tartar or stain and certainly could be removed with a normal cleaning. Other brown spots are from an enamel defect during the formation READ MORE
It depends. Some brown spots could be tartar or stain and certainly could be removed with a normal cleaning. Other brown spots are from an enamel defect during the formation of the tooth. If this is the case, no cleaning or whitening will remove it. There are ways to remove the stain, but a cleaning will not do it.
What is the right age for kids to brush their teeth on their own?
Every child is different, however, 3 seems a little young to fly solo. The time you put in now to ensure she gets her teeth clean daily is going to save you thousands in dental READ MORE
Every child is different, however, 3 seems a little young to fly solo. The time you put in now to ensure she gets her teeth clean daily is going to save you thousands in dental bills down the road. Let her brush and you go in after and make sure she did a great job. I do it with my own kids, it takes 30 seconds to check them.
