Patient Reviews

Office Tour

Hi, I am Dr. Charles Ruefenacht. I have a broad general practice serving 3 year old patients to 93 year olds in Lafayette. Common to all ages is the desire to be treated as a person, not a patient; and to be in control. You give me permission to explain everything I see and understand about your dental health. You have the right to choose among treatment options, when to proceed; or not. You'll also understand the risks and benefits for any given procedure. Questions are required! Tests are given! You will understand! Ignorance is not bliss!

I love dental health care. I love the intellectual challenge of learning emerging treatment modalities; and the resultant improvement in care for us the patient. Yes, I am a patient too. I love providing new and better ways of doing things. While the tendency is for greater specialization, and narrower scope, I firmly believe in knowing as much as possible about as many things as possible to better understand you and to provide as many services as possible. I have three great co-workers to help me do this; Norma welcomes you and sorts out all of the confusing insurance while Debbie and Heather provide superb people skills while assisting in your solutions. We look forward to getting to know you.

Meet the Staff

• Norma - Front desk, insurance, scheduling, super-friendly; since 1994.
• Debbie - Registered Dental Assistant; since Sept 2000.
• Heather - Registered Dental Assistant; since July 2003 straight out of school.

Services Offered

We are a broad service general practice centered about the adhesive rebuilding of teeth.
When needed, I provide Root Canal treatment, Periodontal treatment, Wisdom Tooth Extraction, Jaw Bone Grafting, Restoring Missing Teeth including the Surgical Placement of Implants, and Braces for adults and children. Cosmetic changes can be affected with either porcelain Veneers or chair side Bonding using composite resins.
Cancer Screening is done at every recall appointment. Sealants for children and Oral Hygiene instruction for everyone.

Technology

Science is the benchmark of the progressive practice and defines how to minimize treatment-associated damage teeth. Science defines how to rebuild teeth adhesively to near original strength. Technology assists in this process but is only as successful as the understanding of the science of tooth structure itself and of the chemistry of bonding. Caries Finder: cavity disclosing dye Diagnodent: laser fluorescence to find bacteria hiding inside healthy teeth Diode laser: treatment of gum infections Ozone: to arrest decay, eliminate root sensitivity without surgery in seconds, sterilize root canals, eliminate biofilms, stop viral lesions such as cancer sores, fever blisters, herpetic oral lesions, ozonated water to irrigate wounds for expedited healing. Cerec Surgical Magnification

Brands

Lots of science

Community Involvement

• 1973-75: Served a two-year religious mission in Argentina
• 1993 - 2008: Boy Scouts of America Explorer Advisor, Assistant Scoutmaster, Scoutmaster, Unit Commissioner, AKLAN District Chairman
• 2010 Silver Beaver Award

Hobbies and Interests

My Grandson
Anything Outdoors with our Family and Dogs
Nevada dirt Roads
Thunderstorms
Snow Cave Camping
Photography
Piano
Going to Good Dental Meetings

Awards

• 1973-75: Served a two-year religious mission in Argentina
• 1993 - 2008: Boy Scouts of America Explorer Advisor, Assistant Scoutmaster, Scoutmaster, Unit Commissioner, AKLAN District Chairman
• 2010 Silver Beaver Award

Membership Associations and Organizations

Contra Costa Dental Society