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.