Principal Dentist
I grew up in the Phoenix area and later attended the University of Arizona. After graduation, I became a member of the inaugural class at Midwestern University. After graduating, I practiced in the valley for three years as a corporate dentist. My wife, Bianca, completed her master’s at Northern Arizona University. We found ourselves traveling to Flagstaff quite a bit, so it was an easy choice. In 2014 we decided to make the move to Flagstaff, and purchase an office.
Woodlands Village Dentistry was founded by Dr. Bob Ruge in 1992. By 2014, Dr. Ruge was ready to retire and passed the practice on to me.
I enjoy all aspects of general dentistry, including fillings, crown, root canals and implants. I’ll be the first to tell you that I got into this profession because it’s fun! Outside of dentistry, I enjoy cooking, dirt biking, and anything technology related.
Lingering tooth pain, sensitivity to hot or cold, swollen gums, a darkening tooth, or pain when chewing are the top signs a tooth's inner pulp may be infected and could need a root canal. At Woodlands Village Dentistry, our dentist in Flagstaff, Arizona, can confirm...
A root canal clears out infected or inflamed tissue from inside a tooth, relieving pain while allowing you to keep your natural tooth rather than having it removed. Thanks to modern numbing techniques, the experience feels much like getting a filling. At Woodlands...
You should floss once a day, ideally at night, to remove plaque from between teeth where a toothbrush cannot reach. Skipping it regularly allows plaque to harden into tartar, which leads to gum inflammation, bad breath, and cavities between teeth. A dentist in...
Bleeding gums that continue for more than a few minutes, or return every time you brush, usually signal an infection below the gumline rather than a minor irritation. Left untreated, this can turn into an abscess or tooth loss. Persistent bleeding is a reason to...
Tooth sensitivity that lasts longer than two weeks, worsens with heat, or follows a recent filling or injury usually signals a problem home care can't fix. At Woodlands Village Dentistry, we often see patients who assume this kind of sensitivity will resolve on its...
At Woodlands Village Dentistry, we see tooth sensitivity trace back to a handful of common culprits: worn enamel, receding gums, teeth grinding, or Flagstaff's cold, dry, high-altitude climate. Desensitizing toothpaste and improved brushing habits resolve most cases,...
A properly fitted mouthguard is the most effective way to prevent sports-related dental injuries, while prompt follow-up visits are key to a successful recovery if an injury does occur. Combining prevention and timely emergency dental care protects your smile in the...
A knocked-out tooth, a broken jaw, or a deep cut to the lip or gum all count as dental emergencies that need same-day care. When you need emergency dental care in Flagstaff, timing matters most: a tooth replanted within 30 minutes has a survival rate above 90%, while...
Cavities are one of the most common dental problems in the country, and one of the most fixable. If you've been told you need a filling, or you suspect a tooth has a cavity, the good news is that treatment today is faster, more comfortable, and more precise than ever...
If you've ever talked yourself out of calling a dentist after a cracked tooth or a sudden toothache, you're not alone. Many people in Flagstaff and nearby areas like Sunnyside, Foxglenn, and Continental Country Club hold onto outdated beliefs about dental emergencies...