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.