Modern Dental of Springfield is a Springfield based family dentist practice that treats patients of all ages. We are committed to delivering the highest quality dental care and do so using advanced dental equipment. We are a cosmetic dentist that offers services like checkups, teeth cleaning, crowns, veneers and more.

My name is Mike Morley and I have been practicing dentistry for over 19 years in the Central Illinois area. I graduated from Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine June of 1998. My interest in dentistry, as a profession, began in the fall of 1989 when I was a junior in high school and dating Tracy Hurd, who is now my wife. Her father was a dentist in Springfield, and he took me for an interview at the dental school I later attended. I owe everything to the late Robert Hurd, D.M.D. for giving me the desire, drive, and determination to become a dentist.

It was also Dr. Hurd who gave me the opportunity to practice dentistry immediately after graduation. I joined his private practice, where he had been for the past 29 years. I had been with Dr. Hurd for about 18 months when I took an associate dentist position in Decatur, IL. Shortly after I began practicing in Decatur, my wife became pregnant with our first of three kids, Alli. When Alli was born, Tracy and I eventually came to the conclusion that we both wanted to move back to the Springfield area instead of buying a dental practice in Decatur. My father-in-law was still at his private practice; however, returning to his practice was not ideal. Dr. Hurd had a good practice with a great staff, but at this time, Tracy and I wanted to embark on the adventure of starting a dental practicefrom scratch.

We opened our doors for Modern Dental October 8th, 2001. When Tracy and I look back at that moment in our lives, I think we both recall a different set of emotions. At the time we opened our doors, Tracy was always supportive and never wavering; however, she will admit today of feeling nervous, scared, and perhaps anxious about our decision (did I mention she was pregnant with our second child, Gavin?). I, on the other hand, never looked back. I loved the opportunity to hang a shingle, as they say. I did my homework; I studied and read numerous books about start-up dental practices and start-up businesses and worked hard at growing our new dental practice. I always wanted a practice that would be consumer-friendly, have the latest treatment technologies, and be busy and capable of serving many people in Springfield and central Illinois. I believe that we have established that kind of practice. I am proud of Modern Dental and everything it has to offer.

Tracy and I now have three children, Alli, Gavin, and Teagan. Their pictures can be found hanging in our reception room. Modern Dental continues to grow thanks to our loyal patients. I love practicing dentistry. I truly believe it is the greatest profession. I continue to implement better ways to operate Modern Dental. Most of all, patient interactions and providing dental care to patients is the most gratifying portion of my job. My special thanks to all of the patients of Modern Dental who have supported us over the years.

Dr. Hamel graduated from SIU School of Dental Medicine in 2015. He continued his education at SIU-SDM in the Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) program and a fellowship in dental implantology in 2016 and 2017, respectively. While finishing the implant fellowship in spring of 2017, Dr. Hamel was introduced to Dr. Morley. He came to Springfield to visit Modern Dental and learn about Dr. Morleys vibrant dental practice. The two dentists hit it off immediately; they were very similar in their treatment philosophies, and how they care for their patients. Dr. Hamel joined Modern Dental immediately after completing his implant fellowship in July of 2017, and has been happily treating the patients of the Springfield area ever since.

Dr. Hamel is committed to continuing education, both through formal courses and through self-study. In keeping with the name of the practice, Modern Dental, he hopes to stay up-to-date on the newest procedures, techniques, and materials in order to provide his patients with the best possible care. Dr. Hamel is a member of many professional organizations, including:

Family is very important to Dr. Hamel. When hes not treating the dental needs of the families of the Springfield area, he loves spending time with his own family. He and his wife, Amy, live in Chatham, IL. Most of their time is spent playing with their two children, their toddler Noah and their newest addition Micah. The Hamel family enjoys cheering on their favorite sports teams the St. Louis Cardinals, the Green Bay Packers, and the St. Louis Blues. Dr. Hamels hobbies include golfing, reading, cycling, playing video games, building and launching model rockets, and traveling.

Crystal graduated from College in 1997 and has been with Modern Dental since July of 2020. She appreciates how positive the environment is here and how attentive the doctors are to each patientthe team works extremely well together to provide the best service for you! Crystals job is to oversee office operations and she has over 25 years of experience in the dental field, she started her career in the clinical setting as a dental assistant and eventually migrated to the business office serving as the office manager. She also comes with 15 years of experience working as a certified Dentrix Trainer and Practice Management Consultant/ Specialist. She now feels very blessed to share her experience and knowledge with our team to better serve our patients as the office manager at Modern Dental.

Summer is another new addition to our team, and she took on the role of Schedule Coordinator in October 2021. Summer moved to the Springfield area shortly after joining our team, and we couldnt be happier that she came to join us! She has been an asset to the front desk with making sure that all of our patients are taken care of on check-in. When you call Modern Dental, Summer will be one of the first people you talk to and she will help you in every way she can!

Summer said that she likes Modern Dental because we have the best co-worker family ever! She has also made mention of the positive environment we have here in our office. Summer most definitely contributes greatly to the great atmosphere here!

When she isnt at Modern Dental, Summer likes to work out, shop, and go to concerts. She spends a lot of her free time with her fianc her high school sweetheart of 9 years. They just bought their first house here in Springfield!

Catherine joined the team in August 2020 after graduating from Lewis and Clark Community College with her Associate of Applied Science in dental hygiene. She helps provide preventive treatments and enjoys teaching good oral hygiene habits to patients of all ages.

Catherine grew up in a small town and, when she is not at Modern Dental, she loves spending time with her family and friends, riding ATVS, attending her nephews sporting events, and watching her nieces grow up.

Samantha joined our team in July 2020 after graduating from John A. Logan College in Carterville in 2012. She is grateful for the opportunity to learn from the best, earn the confidence of our patients, and make sure that they are treated thoroughly, gently, and fairly. She loves her coworkers and how hard they work.

Emily earned her Bachelor of Science in dental hygiene at Southern Illinois University in 2017, and she joined our team quickly after! She loves working with such a great team and doctors who look out for what is best for our patients, and she is dedicated to providing optimal dental care.

When shes not working, Emily and her husband, Jacob, are running around with their two dogs, Stella and Piper, hanging out with family, especially her niece and nephew, shopping, and working in the yard.

Beth works closely with Dr. Morley as both a dental and orthodontic assistant and, although she joined the team in July 2020, she earned her Associate of Science from Illinois Valley Community College and has been a registered dental assistant since 1989! Beth loves the feeling of working in an office where taking care of the patient is everyones #1 concern. She is happy to bring her positive attitude and orthodontic experience to the team. There is nothing more satisfying than helping boost her patients confidence in their smile!

Debby loves the patients, the doctors, the staffeverything but garbage dutyworking at Modern Dental. Though she became an official member of the team in 2005, she has been working as a dental assistant in Springfield, IL since 1989, and she loves assisting with all aspects of dentistry, especially orthodontics. Debby studied expanded duties and nitrous administering and monitoring at Alton Dental School, and she was trained in orthodontics in Chicago. These are just some of the classes she has taken in her 40 years of continuing education in the dental field.

Debby has been married to her husband, Mark, for over 44 years, and together they have a son, Travis, and three beautiful granddaughters: Arin, Madelyn, and Averie. When shes not at the office, Debby enjoys gardening, baking with her granddaughters, and traveling with her family and sister.

Dana joined Modern Dental in 2004 after serving in the Illinois Air National Guard. She loves the down-to-earth doctors here and appreciates their conservative treatment planning. The whole team is very easy to work with. When she is not doing inventory or placing orders at the office, Dana teaches dental assisting part time.

Libby is known for her excellent chairside manner, infectious laugh and calming personality. She prides herself on her ability to adapt to the constantly improving technology in the dentistry field. After earning her Associate of Arts and completing her dental assistant training at Lincoln Land Community College, Libby studied with Dana as an intern at Modern Dental and officially joined our team in January 2020. She loves the staff here and is appreciative of her family, who supported her growth and continued education in dentistry.

Taylor is one of the newest additions to our Modern Dental Family and we are so happy she is here! After externing in our office at the end of her dental assisting program near the end of 2021, Taylor made the decision in January 2022 to come on full time with us. She has earned her Associates in Arts from LLCC and completed the Dental Assisting Program through LLCC. A true asset to our office, Taylor has been picking up new skills everyday and is a very welcomed addition to our group of amazing dental assistants.

Taylor likes being here at Modern Dental because, It is a fast paced and fun environment. Her contributions to the office are wonderful, and it is so great to have another person on the team who loves what she does!

Madison joined the team July 2020 she is currently a student at JHS and will graduate in 2022. Madison is passionate about her future in the dental field. She loves being part of the team at Modern Dental. Madison is grateful to her many mentors and feels very fortunate for the opportunity to work with her Mom and sister. Madison loves to greet patients with a big smile in the hopes to brighten their day! In her free time, Madison enjoys watching The Office and baking lots of yummy treats to bring to work to share with everyone!!

The team at Modern Dental of Springfield believe in the importance of preventative care. We focus on keeping patients in good oral health so that they can live a full, healthy, and enjoyable life that is free from oral pain. This starts by educating our patients on what they can do to stay healthy at home. In our family dentist office we recommend that patients eat a healthy diet that consists of green leafy vegetables, lean protein, nuts, dairy products, and crunchy fruits and veggies. Eating these foods along with drinking water can help to keep teeth healthy and make them stronger. By simultaneously reducing sugar intake, patients can also reduce their risk of cavities.

It is also important to brush and floss throughout the day. Instead of waiting for bedtime to brush teeth, carry a small toothbrush and use it after meals and snacks. This makes it possible to remove sugar and bacteria from the teeth and gums before it has the opportunity to turn into acid that can attack the teeth. This preventative step can greatly reduce a persons' risk of getting a cavity or gum disease. We understand the importance of taking these steps at home and will spend the time necessary to educate and inform patients so that they can stay healthy overall. Education, after all, is essential for living a long and healthy life.

Understanding the importance of these regular dental exams, the team at Modern Dental of Springfield work to make each patient extremely comfortable. This includes being welcoming and kind while performing dental treatments in a way that is painless and relaxing. Patients visit our dentist office because they trust us to do just that take care of their teeth and gums, gently. The majority of our patients are local and come from the greater Springfield area, we also see patients that are looking for gentle dental care.

Seniors, on the other hand, often struggle with gum disease and oral infections. As people age, their teeth can become weaker and infected more easily. Bone loss is incredibly common with seniors and by conducting regular dental exams, the team at Modern Dental of Springfield can help seniors to have strong teeth and reduce the risk of them falling out. Since over seventy percent of U.S. adults suffer from tooth loss, preventative care is important.

A. Primary, or 'baby,' teeth are important for many reasons. Not only do they help children speak clearly and chew naturally, they also aid in forming a path that permanent teeth can follow when they are ready to come in.

A. First, rinse the irritated area with warm salt water and place a cold compress on the face if it is swollen. Give the child acetaminophen for any pain, rather than placing aspirin on the teeth or gums. Finally, see a dentist as soon as possible.

A. Sealants work by filling in the crevasses on the chewing surfaces of the teeth. This shuts out food particles that could get caught in the teeth, causing cavities. The application is fast and comfortable and can effectively protect teeth for many years.

A. Have your family dentist evaluate the fluoride level of your child's primary source of drinking water. If your child is not getting enough fluoride internally through water (especially if the fluoride level is deficient or if your child drinks bottled water without fluoride), then we may prescribe fluoride supplements.

A. Soft plastic mouthguards can be used to protect teeth, lips, cheeks and gums from sport related injuries. A custom-fitted mouthguard will protect your teeth from injuries and even provide protection from severe injuries to the head.

A. There is very little risk in dental X-rays. Family dentists are especially careful to limit the amount of radiation to which you and your family are exposed. Lead aprons and high-speed film are used to ensure safety and minimize the amount of radiation. Digital x-rays provide an even greater level of protection by using up to 90 percent less radiation.

Choosing a kid-friendly dentist is something many parents are doing nowadays, as there are different types of dental professionals that one can choose from. This type of dental professional is one who has chosen to treat kids, as well as adults, which means they have the skills and knowledge necessary to take care of kids'

An emergency dentist can provide the treatment that you need when you find yourself dealing with a loose tooth. A loose tooth is just one step away from falling out of its socket, so it requires emergency dental care.Lost adult teeth that fall out need to be quickly replaced to avoid issues that often come

Orthodontics offers cosmetic, oral health, and functional benefits for individuals of almost all ages. It is used to treat a range of teeth and jaw alignment issues, and many patients report having increased confidence in their appearance and better oral health through treatment.

Modern Dental of Springfield offers orthodontics services to individuals who are not satisfied with the appearance of their smile or have oral health issues that are caused by misalignment. We help our patients through the process, answering any questions they have along the way.

Many achieve a more beautiful, healthy smile through orthodontics, and having a general understanding is helpful when deciding if treatment is appropriate. Orthodontics is a form of dentistry that focuses primarily on improving the alignment of the jaw and teeth to provide cosmetic, oral health, and functional benefits.

As defined by MedLine Plus, Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that deals with abnormalities of the teeth and jaw. It is performed by dental professionals who have completed a four-year undergraduate degree, a dental school post-graduate program, and received the necessary training to become licensed. General dentists who offer orthodontics choose to focus on the alignment of jaw and teeth, although they may also provide other services as well.

Anyone who wants to improve the appearance and health of their smile through better jaw and teeth and jaw alignment should consider the benefits of orthodontics. Several issues orthodontics commonly fixes include:

One of the more notable benefits of orthodontics is an improved appearance while smiling, which provides many patients with increased confidence each day. Additionally, orthodontics often helps with oral health as well by making it easier to access harder to reach areas of teeth. Many also find it easier to eat and talk through improved jaw and teeth alignment.

It is essential to practice good oral hygiene during treatment to reduce the risk of oral cavities, oral infections, stained teeth, and other oral health concerns. Good oral hygiene during orthodontics starts with a high-quality and consistent daily oral care routine. Your routine should include brushing daily, using mouthwash as directed by the dentist, flossing after each meal, and keeping retainers and other dental devices clean through proper cleaning and storage. It is also essential to visit the dentist regularly to check for signs of any oral health complications that may develop and to ensure there are no setbacks during the treatment process.

Orthodontics can help in many areas of life by improving appearance, oral health, and making it easier to function, which gives many the confidence to live life more boldly and do the things they love. If you are interested in learning more about treatment, Call us at (217) 321-4552

In dentistry, a dental bridge is one of the popular options for closing the gap left by a lost or extracted tooth. Bridges are typically made up of crowns on the sides of the gap, which cover adjacent health teeth, called the abutment teeth. These teeth support the replacement teeth, which could be one or

Dental ridge preservation is a way to preserve the socket after a missing tooth develops. Dental implants require adequate bone support, and bone loss can occur after losing a tooth if the bone density is not preserved. This review offers insights into the purpose of dental ridge preservation as it relates to dental implants treatment.Ridge