Reasons for Tooth Extractions

Although permanent teeth were meant to last a lifetime, there are a number of reasons why tooth extraction may be necessary. A very common reason involves a tooth that is too badly damaged, from trauma or decay, to be repaired. Before deciding if a tooth extraction is needed, Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS will first take an x-ray of the area to determine what kind of damage has been done. From there, he will formulate a plan to best remove the tooth.

Reasons for pulling teeth include: a crowded mouth, or infection. Sometimes dentists pull teeth to prepare the mouth for orthodontia. The goal of orthodontic appliances is to properly align the teeth, which may not be possible if your teeth are crowding your mouth.

If tooth decay or damage extends to the pulp – the center of the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels – bacteria in the mouth can lead to infection. Often, this can be corrected with root canal therapy, but if the infection is so severe that antibiotics or endodontic therapy do not cure it, extraction may be necessary to prevent the spread of infection.

If you are experiencing a toothache, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about tooth extractions, as well as the services provided at the practice, visit www.drkeithrudolph.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS in Fairfield, CT, call 203-254-9533.

CEREC Technology for Dental Restorations

Thanks to CEREC technology, Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS can provide patients with inlays, onlays, crowns, and veneers in only one appointment. CEREC stands for Ceramic Reconstruction and is a sophisticated system of designing and making high quality, metal-free dental restorations in one patient visit. Using this system, Dr. Keith Rudolph can restore your smile without the need for laboratory assistance, impressions or temporary restorations.

By providing patients with CEREC technology, we can provide dental restorations at a lower cost to you. Usually, crowns are a multiple visit process, but with CEREC you can have a complete crown done in less than two hours. If you have a cracked tooth, old failing restorations, or otherwise large damage on your teeth, you may be a CEREC candidate. The design and manufacturing process involves optically scanning and digitizing dies created from the master impression of the prepared teeth/cores, so that the dimensions of the margins may be duplicated precisely. The scanned 3D images of the dies are then used to design the substructure, prompted by the computer software. The CEREC machine then creates a restoration according to design specifications.

If you have questions about the CEREC process, give us a call. To learn more about CEREC as well as the services provided at the practice, visit www.drkeithrudolph.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS in Fairfield, CT, call 203-254-9533.

Benefits of Dentures

Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS offers a wide variety of restorative options for missing teeth, but here we are going to discuss the benefits of dentures. For people who have lost their teeth due to gum disease, tooth decay, or injury, dentures can restore their smile and help them with everyday tasks such as eating and speaking. There are two main types of dentures: full and partial. Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS will help you choose the type of denture that’s best for you based on how many teeth are going to be replaced.

Complete (full) dentures are used if you’re missing teeth in your upper (maxillary) or lower (mandibular) jaws. Partial dentures are used on patients who only have some teeth missing on either jaw. Complete dentures replace all of the teeth, while partial dentures fill in the spaces created by missing teeth and prevent other teeth from shifting position. Your dentures may feel awkward for a few weeks until you become accustomed to them, however, you will decrease your risk of periodontal disease as well as ease the stress of your jaw while wearing them.

If you have missing teeth, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about dentures as well as the services provided at the practice, visit www.drkeithrudolph.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS in Fairfield, CT, call 203-254-9533.

Why Do Root Canals Have a Bad Rep?

The term “root canal” is bound to send shivers down your spine, especially if you need one performed, but why? Preconceived notions that root canal treatment is filled with pain and discomfort are nothing more than outdated myths. In fact, root canal treatment doesn’t cause pain, it actually relieves it. This is because when Dr. Keith Rudolph performs a root canal he is saving your tooth in the process.

Root canal or endodontic treatment is necessary when the inside, or pulp of the tooth becomes inflamed or infected. The pulp contains the nerves and blood vessels – essentially they keep the tooth alive. It is through the pulp that temperature and pain are perceived. The inflammation or infection can have many causes but mostly are the result of deep decay or trauma. Not only can a root canal procedure protect your mouth from further damage, but it eliminates the pain you may have been experiencing because of the infection.

If you have questions about root canal therapy as well as other dental services that Dr. Keith Rudolph provides at the office, give us a call, or visit www.drkeithrudolph.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Keith Rudolph in Fairfield, CT, call 203-254-9533.