Dental Implants in Fairfield, CT

If you’ve lost one tooth or multiple teeth due to extensive decay, gum disease or facial trauma, we can provide you with the solution you need to restore your oral health in Fairfield, CT. Since teeth can shift out of place after a tooth has been removed, and since teeth that shift are more susceptible to disease and decay, our office offers dental implants to both restore the beauty of your smile and improve your oral health. While bridges or dentures can also be used to replace missing teeth, these options either require work to healthy teeth or are not permanent fixtures in the mouth. Dental implants, on the other hand, look and feel natural.

The first step of the implant process is to implant a titanium screw in the jawbone. This screw serves as your replacement tooth root and keeps your jaw from deteriorating or changing shape. Once the screw is in place, your jaw is left to heal around the implant in a process called osseointegration—a process that can take three to six months to complete. During this healing, you will receive a temporary crown for easier speaking and eating.

When the implant has healed, Dr. Keith Rudolph will install the abutment, which acts as the foundation upon which your permanent crown is placed. An impression is then taken of the area, and the permanent crown is custom made and adhered to the abutment to give you a new smile that looks and functions like your natural teeth.

With our help, you can achieve an attractive and complete smile with dental implants. Schedule a consultation by calling 203-930-1214. For more information, please visit www.drkeithrudolph.com.

Invisalign in Fairfield, CT

Straight teeth go a long way toward creating a beautiful smile, but they are also important for overall oral health. If you have crooked, crowded or misaligned teeth, correcting them can prevent dental issues from developing in the future. There are several options available for straightening your teeth, including Invisalign, and at our office in Fairfield, CT, Dr. Keith Rudolph can help you achieve a smile you can be proud of with quality orthodontics.

If you’re in need of a mild to moderate correction, Invisalign may be a great option for you. Using a series of virtually invisible aligners, Invisalign adjusts your teeth bit by bit with a new aligner used approximately every two weeks. The aligners are made of thin, comfortable plastic, and, unlike traditional braces, they are removable. This allows for convenient cleaning and eating, which mean your teeth will not experience the same discoloration and plaque buildup that can occur with metal brackets and wire. In addition, you will not have the same diet restrictions that you would have with traditional braces. You will still be able to eat all the foods you like, including popcorn, chips, pretzels, apples, nuts and corn.

Whether you’re an adult or teen, it’s not too late to straighten your teeth. At our office, we will make sure your smile is both beautiful and healthy. Schedule an appointment by calling 203-930-1214. For more information, visit www.drkeithrudolph.com.

Dr. Keith Rudolph Restores Patients Smiles with Inlays and Onlays

Inlays and onlays are two procedures that use the tooth structure as a base for restoration. Often called partial crowns, both inlays and onlays strengthen the tooth while restoring its shape and preventing further damage or decay. At our office in Fairfield, CT, we use these procedures to repair teeth when decay is too extensive to support a filling but not extensive enough to use a crown.

When there is no damage to the cusps of a tooth, Dr. Keith Rudolph uses an inlay for restoration, bonding it right on top of the tooth structure. Made of porcelain, inlays are both strong and natural-looking, providing an attractive solution for repairing your tooth. Dr. Rudolph uses onlays when damage is a little more extensive and repairs to the cusp of the tooth are required.

Inlays and onlays can be created at a lab out of porcelain, gold or composite resin. Fabrication normally takes between two to three weeks, and during that time, you will be provided with temporary restorations while you wait. Once they are ready, they are cemented in place.

To ensure that your teeth get the best dental care available, schedule an appointment by calling 203-930-1214. For more information, visit www.drkeithrudolph.com.

A Healthy Smile is a Beautiful Smile with Dr. Keith Rudolph

Regular checkups and dental cleanings are a part of any good oral hygiene routine, and at our office in Fairfield, CT, we provide dental care services of the highest quality to ensure that our patients’ smiles stay healthy year after year.

 

A soft and sticky film of bacteria, plaque can build up on your teeth despite regular brushing and flossing. Because teeth are constantly bathed in saliva, which contains calcium and other substances to strengthen and protect teeth, tartar or calcium deposits can also build up over time. Dental cleanings work to remove both plaque and tartar from the teeth. If it is not removed and is allowed to accumulate, bacteria will be provided a perfect environment and thrive on the gums and teeth, which can cause cavities, infection and gum disease.

While good for maintaining oral health between dentist visits, at-home brushing and cleaning are not enough to make sure teeth stay clean; regular dental cleanings are required. We will clean and polish your teeth, leaving the surface clean and smooth. The smoother the teeth, the more difficult it is for bacteria to stick to them and the more effective at-home brushing will be.

We recommend checkups and dental cleanings every six months for optimum oral health. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Keith Rudolph, call 203-930-1214. For more information, visit www.drkeithrudolph.com.

Bridge the Gap in Fairfield, CT

If you’ve had one tooth or multiple teeth extracted due to damage, decay or disease, it is important to have the resulting gap filled or your remaining teeth can shift out of position and become more susceptible to further decay. One way to replace your missing tooth or teeth and prevent this shifting is with a dental bridge.

Called a bridge because a prosthetic tooth is suspended between two crowns to fill in the missing space, this natural-looking tooth structure is usually made from gold, metal, alloys or porcelain to ensure a strong and durable smile that can last more than 25 years if properly cared for.

The process of creating a bridge usually takes two visits to our office in Fairfield, CT. During the first, Dr. Keith Rudolph will create abutments out of the existing teeth on both sides of your gap. This is where the bridge’s crowns will be attached. After the abutments are in place, a mold is made of your mouth for creating the bridge, which will fit and feel as close to your natural teeth as possible. 

While you wait for the bridge to be fabricated in the lab, you will receive a temporary device for your convenience. Then, once the permanent device is completed, you will return to our office to have the crowns fixed to the abutments with an adhesive. The pontic is attached to the crowns to form the bridge and replace your missing tooth or teeth.

To schedule an appointment, call 203-930-1214. For more information, visit www.drkeithrudolph.com.  

Dental Bonding with Dr. Keith Rudolph

Of all the cosmetic and restorative procedures we offer at our office in Fairfield, CT, bonding is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to enhance your smile. Called bonding because tooth-colored resin is bonded to your teeth, the procedure is used to repair teeth that are discolored, unevenly shaped or chipped. At our office we can even use bonding to prevent further enamel erosion and as an attractive alternative to amalgam fillings.

Bonding is achieved by applying incredibly strong resin to the tooth in need of restoration. The procedure can usually be accomplished in one visit and allows you to keep most of your tooth’s enamel, which makes bonding preferable to veneers in many cosmetic cases. Once the right color resin has been chosen for your smile, Dr. Keith Rudolph will apply an adhesive gel to your tooth or teeth to help the resin adhere. The putty-like resin is then applied to your tooth and molded and smoothed until it is in the proper shape. After it is hardened with an LED light, Dr. Rudolph will trim and shape it even more and then polish it until shines like a tooth. Altogether, the procedure usually takes between 30 minutes to an hour for one tooth.

If you’re unhappy with your teeth but unwilling to go as far as veneers, bonding can be used to improve your smile quickly and effectively. To schedule an appointment with our office, call us at 203-930-1214. For more information, visit www.drkeithrudolph.com.   

Lumineers vs Veneers in Fairfield, CT

You have probably heard a lot about veneers, but do you know about Lumineers? If not, you should know that they can transform your smile in less time and more comfort than you ever imagined. Similar to veneers, Lumineers are hard, porcelain shells that can be applied seamlessly over your teeth. They are digitally designed to be ultra-thin and give you a beautiful, natural-looking smile.

Because traditional veneers tend to be thicker, they can require more aggressive removal of healthy tooth enamel in order to place them. Lumineers, on the other hand, are about as thin as a contact, so they require a less-invasive procedure than traditional veneers, and it usually only takes two visits to our office to get them. Additionally, since very little enamel has to be removed from the teeth to make room for the device, the procedure does not typically require shots or temporary veneers as you wait for your custom-made Lumineers to be crafted.

While Lumineers offer many benefits, Dr. Keith Rudolph recommends that they be used for minor cosmetic adjustments and not for a major makeover. If you want to extend the size of small teeth, fix minor chips, make teeth appear straighter or change the color of your smile, Lumineers are an exceptional option. However, if your teeth are especially dark or require more extensive cover up, veneers are the better choice.

To get a smile that you will love showing off, schedule an appointment with our office in Fairfield, CT by calling 203-930-1214. For more information about our practice, please visit www.drkeithrudolph.com.

Teeth Extractions in Fairfield, CT

If decay has reached too deeply into one of your teeth or if an infection has damaged too much of the supporting bone or tissue, you will need a tooth extraction, and in Fairfield, CT, Dr. Keith Rudolph can perform one to help you restore your oral health.

Before the procedure is performed, a local anesthetic is used to numb the area around the extraction site, and if it is a simple extraction, the tooth will be loosened with an elevator and then extracted with forceps. Dr. Rudolph may choose to smooth and contour the underlying bone afterward, and once he is finished, he will suture the gums.

After the extraction, it is critical to keep the area clean to prevent infection. A dry, sterile gauze will be placed over the gums to limit bleeding. You must make sure to keep it in place for 30 to 45 minutes while the blood clots. During the 24 hours after the procedure, you should not smoke, rinse your mouth vigorously or clean the teeth immediately adjacent to the extraction site. Strenuous activity, hot liquids and straw drinking should also be avoided. A certain amount of pain and discomfort accompanies an extraction, so a painkiller may be prescribed.

If you are suffering pain from decay, infection or impaction, the dentist can determine if a tooth extraction is required to save the rest of your smile. Schedule an appointment at our practice in Fairfield, CT by calling 203-930-1214. For more information, please visit www.drkeithrudolph.com. 

Dr. Keith Rudolph Uses Electric Handpieces

While you might not think to ask what type of tools your dentist is using during your procedures, the type and quality of dental tool matters, and at our practice, Dr. Keith Rudolph uses electric handpieces to provide high-quality dental care in Fairfield, CT.  

There are basically two types of handpieces used in dentistry: air-driven and electric. Electric tools, which are what we use, are much stronger than air-driven ones because a motor is used to spin the bur, instead of air. With a stronger force created, Dr. Rudolph can remove decay more quickly and cut down on the amount of time needed for a procedure. Often used to prepare teeth for restorative procedures, electric handpieces offer many benefits.

Whether you are getting a filling, crown, bridge or inlay/onlay, we are dedicated to providing the best dental care possible with state-of-the-art tools. By using the best equipment in all his dental procedures, the dentist ensures that his patients are comfortable and their oral health is well cared for.

While you may not know the difference between dental tools, you will be able to feel the difference that top-of-the-line tools afford Dr. Rudolph.

To schedule an appointment with our office, call 203-930-1214. For more information, visit www.keithrudolph.com.

Sealants

Although brushing and flossing are effective methods for removing food particles and plaque from the smooth surfaces of our teeth, sometimes these methods are ineffective at thoroughly cleaning the nooks and crannies in our premolars and molars. Because molars are the hardest to clean and the teeth most used in the chewing process, they are the most susceptible to cavities and decay, which is why Dr. Keith Rudolph recommends sealants soon after molars emerge when children are between the ages of 6 and 14.

Dental sealants are a thin, plastic coating applied to the chewing surfaces of the molars to prevent cavities and tooth decay. The sealant is applied by Dr. Rudolph, who first roughens the surface of the molar with acid and then paints on the sealant. The sealant bonds into the depressions and grooves of the teeth, hardening and forming a shield over the enamel to protect it for approximately 10 years.

Sealants are normally applied to children’s molars because their teeth are especially susceptible to cavities. However, sometimes they are applied on adult molars if they have hard-to-clean grooves that are causing cavities.

To schedule an appointment, call our office in Fairfield, CT at 203-930-1214. For more information, visit www.drkeithrudolph.com.

CEREC Crowns

If your teeth are decayed, cracked or chipped, they can be restored with crowns, and CEREC is an advanced dental technology that can create full crowns right in the dentist’s office. Offering a variety of benefits, including strength and quick production, CEREC restorations are the first choice for dentists who have their patients’ best interest in mind. At our office in Fairfield, CT, we use CEREC technology to restore our patients’ smiles.

CEREC restorations are made of compressed porcelain, which is stronger than the layered porcelain crowns created in a laboratory. In addition to being stronger and longer-wearing, CEREC restorations can also be created and installed in only one visit, unlike laboratory restorations, which can take weeks to complete and require a temporary crown or restoration to be placed in the meantime.

The placement procedure for a CEREC restoration is easy and doesn’t require you to bite on any goopy and uncomfortable impression material. First all the decay is removed from your teeth, and then dr. Keith Rudolph shapes the tooth in preparation for the digital 3D video impression that is taken with the digital camera, which is attached to a computer screen that displays the 3D image. This allows the dentist to design the restoration in front of you. Then the CEREC machine will create a crown or restoration in about 15 minutes for the dentist to place. The entire process, from design to installation, takes around an hour for each tooth.

In less than an hour, we can design and place a CEREC crown or restoration for a rejuvenated and renewed smile. To schedule an appointment, call 203-930-1214. For more information, visit www.drkeithrudolph.com.

Rotary Endodontics

If you’ve had root canal treatment to save an infected tooth, it probably didn’t occur to you to ask what types of tools your dentist used. But if your dentist used the old, manual file for removing the infected tissue, the procedure may have been pretty nerve wracking. Rotary endodontic tools, however, provide a much smoother, more comfortable experience during root canal procedures, which is why Dr. Keith Rudolph chooses to rely on them to treat infected teeth in Fairfield, CT.

Rotary endodontics allows the dentist to remove the infected pulp in the inner root canal more quickly, more smoothly and with less chance of complications. These electric instruments prove to be superior to the traditional, stainless steel files in a multitude of ways since they are made of nickel titanium, which is much more flexible than stainless steel. Increased flexibility allows the tool to be inserted into the curved root canal without damaging the passageway.

The tools are also much quieter and do not produce a grinding noise like the other tools. This helps to soothe patients’ nerves during the procedure. While the manual method can adequately save teeth during root canals, rotary endodontic tools are easier and preferred by both the dentist and his patients. 

To schedule an appointment at our practice, call 203-930-1214. For more information, visit www.drkeithrudolph.com.

Sedation Dentistry

Between 5 percent and 8 percent of Americans avoid going to the dentist due to dental phobia, but your oral health shouldn’t suffer because of fear. At our office, Dr. Keith Rudolph offers various sedation methods to provide a safe and comfortable environment where patients can receive the dental care they need.

Dr. Rudolph can sedate patients with Nitrous Oxide, intravenous sedation or oral conscious sedation. None of these methods will put you in an unconscious state, but they will put you in a deep state of relaxation for your treatment.

The most common sedation method we utilize is Nitrous Oxide (N2O), which works very rapidly, reaching the brain within 20 seconds. To use this method, Dr. Rudolph will place a small mask over your nose and ask you to breathe normally. Within a few short minutes you will begin to feel its effects. N2O wears off quickly and without a “hangover” effect.

IV administration is another way that the dentist can sedate you. It is administered through the veins, which allows for quicker effects and less recovery time.

Patients who have trouble with needles and gas, can receive an oral sedative, like valium. This method is utilized for patients with mild to moderate anxiety since it is not as powerful as the others. It is as simple as taking an aspirin.

To set up an appointment in Fairfield, CT, call 203-254-9533. You can also visit www.drkeithrudolph.com. 

Mini Dental Implants

Dental implants are a great solution for replacing missing teeth. However, full-sized implants cannot be used in all situations, such as in narrow spaces, and when that is the case, mini implants prove an effective alternative. Roughly half the size in diameter as conventional implants, mini implants can be used to replace smaller teeth in the mouth, as well as serve as a base for dentures.

Because mini implants are so small, often no incision is needed to place them in the gums. They can usually be inserted directly into the bone. This eliminates much of the recovery time and allows the restoration to be placed immediately or shortly after. Like regular implants, mini implants are made of titanium. However, they are one solid piece, which give them roughly the same strength as a regular implant, which is made of an implant and a separate abutment that is added after installation.

When used for dentures, four to six mini implants are placed along the gum line, and an entire set of uppers or lowers can be attached directly to the gums, which is advantageous to the patient since, unlike adhesive, implants do not shift or slip. This makes dentures more comfortable while eating, speaking and smiling.

If you want to know if implants or mini implants are the right solution for your missing teeth, schedule an appointment with Dr. Keith Rudolph in Fairfield, CT by calling 203-930-1214. For more information, visit www.drkeithrudolph.com. 

Oral Cancer Screening

Being screened for oral cancer is an important part of maintaining your oral health and should be a regular part of your oral hygiene routine. At our practice in Fairfield, CT, we take oral cancer seriously and are dedicated to keeping our patients safe with thorough screenings.

While everyone is at risk for oral cancer, certain factors can increase your risk in developing the disease. Lifestyle choices, such as heavy drinking or smoking, can greatly affect the health of tissues in the mouth, so it is especially important for you to receive regular screenings if you partake in these activities. If oral abnormalities are caught early, it will not only expand your treatment options, including less invasive and less radical treatments, but it will also increase your chances of beating the cancer.

Screening for oral cancer can be done during routine checkups by Dr. Keith Rudolph, who uses ultraviolet light to help him spot abnormal tissue in your mouth. If the dentist finds abnormal tissue, he will order a biopsy to determine if the tissue is cancerous or not.

Oral cancer is a serious issue, and at our practice, we strive to protect all our patients. To schedule an appointment, call 203-930-1214. For more information, visit www.drkeithrudolph.com.  

Night Guards

At our practice in Fairfield, CT, we see many patients who suffer from bruxism, or teeth grinding. While many do this consciously throughout the day, even more grind their teeth at night while sleeping. Bruxism can cause damage to your enamel, as well as jaw pain, headaches and gum irritation, so it is important to treat it. Night guards are usually the best way to prevent the negative effects of teeth grinding.

Similar to those worn by athletes, night guards provide a barrier between your top and bottom teeth when you sleep. By reducing wear to your teeth and making it harder for you to grind, your teeth will be healthier and you will feel better overall. We custom fit these night guards to make them as comfortable as possible. If you are a night grinder, we will take an impression of your teeth and have a mouth guard created in our dental lab. These guards are very durable and can last for up to 10 years.

If you find yourself frequently waking up with headaches or pain in your jaw, it is very possible that you grind in your sleep. Often those who do not treat their bruxism end up with TMD, and they can even change the appearance of their face. To diagnose and treat your night grinding, call 203-930-1214 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Keith Rudolph. For more information, visit www.drkeithrudolph.com.

Digital X-rays

As dental technology has improved over the years, every aspect of the dental field has been enhanced. From diagnosis to treatment, new technology has increased both the effectiveness of dental procedures and the comfort of the patient. Technological advancement have even improved the way dentists view patients’ teeth, with digital x-rays becoming the go-to technology for most practitioners, including Dr. Keith Rudolph. At our practice, Dr. Rudolph makes every attempt to provide patients with the high-quality service they need by using the most up-to-date technology, and that includes digital radiography.

Digital X-rays are taken in a similar manner to traditional X-rays, but rather than placing film in the patient’s mouth, we use a digital sensor. The sensor is connected to an imaging program on a computer that projects the image for easy viewing, allowing Dr. Rudolph to view your teeth more closely and with better accuracy than traditional dental X-rays. Better images mean that there is a greater chance that the dentist will spot potential problems and be able to fix them before they become more serious or possibly more painful. In addition to better accuracy, digital radiography can produce up to 80 percent less radiation than regular film X-rays, granting peace of mind to those who take X-rays frequently.

Whichever treatment you’re receiving at our practice, from a regular check-up to dental implants, we will work to provide you with the best service available. To schedule an appointment with in Fairfield, CT, call 203-930-1214. For more information on our practice, visit www.drkeithrudolph.com.  

Dental Veneers

If you’re unhappy with the way your teeth look, veneers are an effective method for reshaping and redesigning your smile. Whether your teeth have gaps, stain, cracks, chips or other issues, these thin, ceramic shells can cover the existing tooth structure in your mouth to give you a smile you will be proud to show off.

 

Having veneers placed usually only takes two to three visits to our office in Fairfield, CT. During the first visit, you will discuss the shape and look of the smile you want to accomplish with Dr. Keith Rudolph, and then your teeth will be prepared for your upcoming veneers. The dentist will do this by removing a small amount of enamel to ensure a secure and natural-feeling bond.

 

Once the enamel has been removed, an impression is taken of your mouth so that the veneers can be fabricated to fit your existing teeth. After the veneers have been created, they are bonded to your existing teeth to create an attractive smile that looks and feels natural. With proper home care and the help of Dr. Rudolph, you can enjoy your new smile for 5 to 10 years the veneers should be replaced.  

 

To schedule an appointment at our office, call 203-930-1214. For more information, visit www.drkeithrudolph.com. 

Wisdom Teeth Extractions

Your third and final molars to emerge are your wisdom teeth, which usually come in when you are between 17 and 25 years old. While many people do not experience problems with these new teeth, many others find that theirs must be removed. If your mouth does not have enough room for these molars to come in, a wisdom tooth extraction is necessary, and at our office in Fairfield, CT, Dr. Keith Rudolph can determine whether a wisdom tooth extraction is the best course of action for you.

Wisdom teeth are usually removed because they become impacted, which means that the tooth does not have enough room to come in straight through the gums and instead emerges at an angle. This can cause pain, damage to the jaw and a more crooked smile. Additionally, the site of impaction can become a bacterial hotspot since impacted wisdom teeth are hard to clean.

Wisdom teeth extractions can range from removing a single tooth to removing all four teeth at once. Dr. Rudolph will let you know what he thinks is best for you. For the procedure, she will use either a local anesthetic to numb the area or a general anesthetic to sedate you while the teeth are extracted. The tooth will then be accessed through an incision in the gums and wiggled until it is loose enough to be lifted out. If the tooth is too deeply embedded to be removed this way, it will be broken up into pieces before being removed.

Whether you are already feeling pain due to impacted wisdom teeth or have not yet felt them come in, we can determine if your wisdom teeth will cause problems for you. To schedule an appointment, call 203-930-1214. For more information, visit www.drkeithrudolph.com

Gum Disease

Caring for your teeth is an essential part of maintaining good oral health, but your gums also play an important role, and proper care is crucial. Gum disease can be a serious detriment to both your oral health and overall wellness, and Dr. Keith Rudolph provides the type of regular periodontal care and checkups you need to maintain peak health and prevent gum disease.

With periodontal disease responsible for 75 percent of all adult tooth loss cases in the United States, it is critical to check for and treat periodontal issues when they first arise. Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums that starts when a build-up of plaque on your teeth hardens, providing the ideal environment for bacteria to collect and attack the surrounding gums. In its early stages, this gum disease is gingivitis, but if it is left untreated, it becomes periodontis, which can destroy your gum tissue and lead to tooth loss. Periodontis can even result in a loss of bone mass in your jawbone, and heart disease, diabetes and stroke have also been linked to poor periodontal health.

The state of your gums affects the health of your entire body, so come to our office in Fairfield, CT to receive periodontal cleanings and treatment. It is easier to prevent gum disease or treat it early on than to reverse the effects of periodontis. Call 203-930-1214 to schedule an appointment at our practice. For more information, visit www.drkeithrudolph.com.

Dentures

Many of our patients in Fairfield, CT choose dentures to replace their missing teeth. Cost effective and removable, dentures are available as both full and partial devices.  

 

Full dentures can be used in two ways: conventionally or immediately. Conventional full dentures are used after all of a patient’s teeth are removed, but only once the gum tissue has healed for a few months. During that healing time, the patient would have no teeth in place. Immediate full dentures are more popular since patients do not have to be toothless for any period of time. For this type, Dr. Keith Rudolph takes measurements of your mouth prior to removing the teeth. Then when the teeth are removed at the next appointment, the dentures are immediately placed in your mouth. With this method, a follow-up visit is required so that the dentures can be refitted and tightened since the jawbone changes shape slightly as it heals with no teeth.

 

Partial dentures are an option for those who do not need all their teeth removed. This type is very similar to bridges, except they are removable instead of permanent.

 

Whichever dentures our patients choose, the device takes some time getting used to, but as you practice, eating and speaking will get easier. Even though they are not real teeth, dentures should still be cared for as if they were. To ensure your dentures last, be sure to brush them before removal and place them in room temperature water or cleaning solution overnight.

 

To find out if dentures are the right choice for you, schedule an appointment with our office by calling 203-930-1214. For more information, visit

Why Do You Need Root Canal Therapy?

While the thought of having a root canal procedure usually fills patients with dread, the procedure is a necessary one for those whose teeth become infected in the nerves. Besides causing pain, infections, if left untreated, can become abscesses, which are much more serious and result in a loss of bone mass in the jawbone. Dr. Keith Rudolph can relieve your pain with a root canal procedure in Fairfield, CT.

Although root canals may not sound pleasant to you, they are well worth it to stop your pain and improve your oral health. While there is soreness after the procedure, it is only temporary and usually nothing that over-the-counter painkillers cannot take care of.

During a root canal, Dr. Rudolph removes the infection by applying a local anesthetic to the area and drilling into the tooth to create an opening in the canal. Then she is able to remove the infected tissue and clean the area. Once the infection has been removed, your tooth will be filled with a sealant and then fitted with a crown to protect it from infection in the future. The crown also helps improve the appearance and strength of the tooth. Once the procedure is complete and soreness subsides, you will be able to eat without experiencing pain and sensitivity to heat, cold and pressure.

If you’re in pain, you don’t need to suffer. Schedule an appointment with us by calling 203-930-1214. For more information, visitwww.drkeithrudolph.com

Whiten Your Teeth and Brighten Your Smile

Even with regular brushing, flossing and cleanings, keeping your teeth white can be harder than you think. Constant exposure to food and drinks can cause your teeth to become dull and stained even with proper oral care. Teeth whitening can help restore your teeth’s color and gleam, and at our office in Fairfield, CT, Dr. Keith Rudolph of Fairfield, CT can help you achieve a smile you can be proud of.

To help his patients get their whitest smiles, the dentist employs a tray whitening system. This system is completed in two steps. For the first step, the patient has an impression of their teeth taken. With this impression, whitening trays will be crafted to fit the patient’s teeth. These trays can be used over and over to maintain a white and healthy-looking smile. The second step of the whitening process involves placing whitening gel on the front portion of the tray on the section that will be in contact with the front of the patient’s teeth. It is important to not put too much gel in the tray since this could cause the gel to contact and irritate the patient’s gums. The trays can be used for short durations (between 30 minutes and an hour, depending on sensitivity) over the course of a few days. This process will lighten the teeth from four to 8 shades! 

If you are looking to rejuvenate your smile, Dr. Keith Rudolph can help you achieve a megawatt smile with teeth whitening. To make up an appointment and see if this process is right for you, call 203-930-1214. For more information, visit www.drkeithrudolph.com.

Dental Implants

If you have teeth missing or are in need of an extraction due to decay, disease or injury, dental implants provide an attractive and long-lasting solution for filling the gaps in your smile. While bridges and dentures can also solve the problem of missing teeth, these alternatives either require alteration to the teeth adjacent to the gap or are not permanent fixtures in the mouth. At our office in Fairfield, CT, Dr. Keith Rudolph uses dental implant restorations to help patients achieve a complete smile that they can be proud of.

The implant process can take between three to six months to complete, and the first step is to implant a titanium screw in the jawbone through an incision in the gums. This screw serves as your replacement tooth root and keeps your jaw from deteriorating or changing shape. Once the screw is in place, the gums are sutured and the bone is left to heal around the implant. The healing process is called osseointegration, and while it takes place over the next several months, you may receive a temporary crown for easier speaking and eating.

Once the jaw has healed, an abutment will be placed on top of the implant to serve as the foundation on which your permanent crown will be fixed. The tooth restoration is then custom made for your mouth and is either screwed or cemented in place so that you may enjoy a complete smile that both looks and feels natural.

To schedule an appointment, call 203-930-1214. For more information, visitwww.drkeithrudolph.com.

Why Consider Invisalign?

At our office in Fairfield, CT, we offer Invisalign aligners so that you can straighten your teeth without committing to a mouth full of metal. Using a series of clear plastic aligners Dr. Keith Rudolph will guide your teeth into a smile you will be proud of.

While regular braces are still best for more serious cases of teeth straightening, Invisalign is great for cases of mild to moderate spacing or crowding. For these cases, Invisalign provides teeth correction that bypasses the discomfort, soreness and restrictive diet that those who have traditional braces must face.

With a computer program that generates a series of aligners with small changes in each, Invisalign will allow you to straighten your teeth without anyone even knowing. Virtually invisible, the aligners are made of thin, comfortable plastic, and unlike traditional braces, they are removable. Therefore, your teeth will not experience the same discoloration and plaque buildup that can normally occur with metal brackets and wire. In addition, you will be able to eat all the foods you like, such as popcorn, chips, pretzels, nuts, apples, carrots and corn.

If you think Invisalign might be the best option for you to achieve the smile you’ve been dreaming of, call us at 203-930-1214 to schedule an appointment. For more information, visit www.drkeithrudolph.com.