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.