Straighten Your Teeth the Invisalign Way

Perhaps you had braces as a child and never maintained the follow-up care, or you might just be an adult with a crooked smile who never had braces before. Whatever the case may be, there is an option to straighten your teeth invisibly. Invisalign is a revolutionary technology that promotes teeth straightening without the need for conventional metal braces and Dr. Keith Rudolph can provide you with them after a few visits to the office.

During the consultation, you and Dr. Keith Rudolph will discuss your case in detail to determine if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign. He will then take x-rays, pictures and impressions of your teeth, which the Invisalign lab will use to create a digital 3D image of them. From these images, Dr. Keith Rudolph will map out a precise treatment plan, including the exact movements of your teeth, and tell you the approximate length of treatment. Once you begin treatment you will begin wearing a new set of aligners, advancing you to the next stage of your treatment. For best results and a timely outcome, you should wear your comfortable, smooth, plastic aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day, throughout your entire treatment.

If you want to straighten your teeth the Invisalign way, give us a call! To learn more about Invisalign visit www.drkeithrudolph.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Keith Rudolph in Fairfield, CT, call 203-254-9533. 

What to Expect After a Dental Crown is Applied

When you will be getting a dental crown placed on your tooth, it is nice to know what to expect afterwards. Dental crowns are custom created “caps” that go on a tooth to restore damage. Dr. Keith Rudolph offers dental crowns at our Fairfield, CT dental practice. As with any dental procedure, there will be a healing time where special directions should be followed.

In our dental practice, we have CEREC technology, so this means that there is no waiting for a dental crown to be created by a laboratory. A crown can be created within your appointment for immediate placement. However, for cases where temporary crowns will need to be worn before the permanent crown, one must be careful. The temporary crown is not as stable as a permanent one, so avoid hard and sticky foods. Brush and floss carefully so the crown is not dislodged or pulled up.

After the permanent crown is placed, there may be some sensitivity. When the soft tissue heals, any sensitivity or irritation will go away. A warm salt water rinse or some ibuprofen will help in the meantime.  As you adjust to your new tooth, it should start to feel like one of your normal teeth. Any problems should be reported to your dentist.

Dental crowns restore the health of a tooth and improve the look of a smile. For more instructions or information about dental crowns, contact Dr. Keith Rudolph at our Fairfield, CT dental practice. Call us at (203) 254-9533 or visit our website, www.drkeithrudolph.com.

Electric Toothbrush vs Manual Toothbrush

Electric toothbrushes and manual toothbrushes have long been debated about which is better. When choosing a new toothbrush, it is nice to know which one will get you the best cleaning. Dr. Keith Rudolph in Fairfield, CT wants his patients and all dental patients to know the difference between electric and manual toothbrushes so they can make an informed purchase.

According to recent studies, manual toothbrushes do just as good of a job brushing teeth as electric ones. The only difference is that the more expensive sonic toothbrush happened to show less cases of gingivitis. However, this could be because people who spend more on healthcare supplies often stick to their healthcare routines better.

The studies showed that the toothbrush really didn’t matter much when determining how to get a good brushing. What mattered most was the person brushing. Having the right technique is key to good oral care, no matter what type of toothbrush you choose. However, for those with trouble using their hands, like those with arthritis, an electric toothbrush may help them get a better cleaning as they do most of the work. Electric toothbrushes require less maneuvering around the mouth.

When it comes to better quality, electric toothbrushes and manual toothbrushes are on the same page for the most part. Again, it depends on the person using the toothbrush. For more tips on oral care, contact Dr. Keith Rudolph here in Fairfield, CT by calling (203) 254-9533 or by visiting our website, www.drkeithrudolph.com. 

Full and Partial Dentures in Fairfield, CT

When missing most or all of your teeth, you can appear older than you are. The missing teeth cause a loss in jaw and facial structure, making your facial muscles sag. Dr. Keith Rudolph is restoring smiles and confidence by offering full and partial dentures to his patients.

Dentures are a removable tooth replacement option for all of the teeth. They are replacements for top and bottom teeth that are strong, durable, and good-looking. They are made to look natural and healthy. We have available full dentures for replacement of all the teeth and also partial dentures for replacement of just some of the teeth.

Full dentures can be placed conventionally and immediately, depending on your lifestyle. Immediate dentures are great for those who do not want to spend any time without teeth; however they may have to be re-fitted in the future. When teeth are extracted for denture placement, the healing process takes some time. When the gums heal they can shrink, causing the dentures to be misplaced in the future.  Conventional dentures are placed a few months after the extractions.

Partial dentures are similar to dental bridges but they are not permanent fixtures; they are removable. They work by being attached to stable teeth adjacent to the open space.

Replacing missing teeth will restore your confidence and allow you to eat the things you’ve been missing. To find out if dentures are right for you, schedule an appointment with Dr. Keith Rudolph in our Fairfield, CT dental practice. Call us at (203) 254-9533 or visit our website, www.drkeithrudolph.com. 

What Causes Tooth Sensitivity?

Sensitive teeth can stop you from eating some of your favorite things. It can also make brushing your teeth uncomfortable. Stopping teeth sensitivity may be a very simple fix; however it may also be an indicator of a more serious problem. Dr. Keith Rudolph of Fairfield, CT wants his patients to be aware of what can cause teeth sensitivity and what it means for their oral health.

Teeth can become sensitive for a variety of reasons. The wear down of enamel is a big reason. Brushing with stiff bristles, brushing too hard, eating a lot of acidic foods, and letting plaque build up are common ways to wear down enamel. Grinding your teeth will also wear down enamel. Exposed tooth roots which are the result of gum disease can also be causing sensitivity.  Cracks or chips can cause sensitivity plus even more pain. They can also lead to an infection, so if your tooth is cracked, you should visit your dentist as soon as you can.

Sensitive teeth may be an indicator that you are eating too much acidic food or brushing too hard, and those are simple fixes. But it could also be an indicator that there is an infection, a fracture, or gum disease. If you are experiencing sensitive teeth, it is important to get an evaluation by your dentist to find out what is the cause.

Tooth sensitivity can be a real downer, but it does not have to last forever. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Keith Rudolph in our Fairfield, CT dental practice, call us at (203) 254-9533 or visit our website,www.drkeithrudolph.com. 

What Causes Tooth Sensitivity?

Sensitive teeth can stop you from eating some of your favorite things. It can also make brushing your teeth uncomfortable. Stopping teeth sensitivity may be a very simple fix; however it may also be an indicator of a more serious problem. Dr. Keith Rudolph of Fairfield, CT wants his patients to be aware of what can cause teeth sensitivity and what it means for their oral health.

Teeth can become sensitive for a variety of reasons. The wear down of enamel is a big reason. Brushing with stiff bristles, brushing too hard, eating a lot of acidic foods, and letting plaque build up are common ways to wear down enamel. Grinding your teeth will also wear down enamel. Exposed tooth roots which are the result of gum disease can also be causing sensitivity.  Cracks or chips can cause sensitivity plus even more pain. They can also lead to an infection, so if your tooth is cracked, you should visit your dentist as soon as you can.

Sensitive teeth may be an indicator that you are eating too much acidic food or brushing too hard, and those are simple fixes. But it could also be an indicator that there is an infection, a fracture, or gum disease. If you are experiencing sensitive teeth, it is important to get an evaluation by your dentist to find out what is the cause.

Tooth sensitivity can be a real downer, but it does not have to last forever. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Keith Rudolph in our Fairfield, CT dental practice, call us at (203) 254-9533 or visit our website, www.drkeithrudolph.com. 

Why It is Important to Replace Missing Teeth

Missing a tooth not only diminishes the look of your smile, but it diminishes your oral health, too. Replacing a missing tooth is vital for the health of your jaw, your other teeth, and your gums. Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS wants our patients of the Fairfield, CT area to understand the importance of preserving the site of a missing tooth.

When a tooth falls out or is extracted, the jawbone loses bone and begins to deteriorate. With multiple missing teeth, this can change the shape of your jawbone, which in turn, chances the shape of your facial structure! Even when only a single tooth is missing, the deteriorated jawbone allows the other teeth in the area to shift towards that open space. This creates spaces within the teeth and introduces hard-to-reach areas where bacteria can collect.

A collection of bacteria is no doubt bad for the teeth and the gums. It can cause decay and disease. However, this is not the only way a missing tooth can harm the gums. For teeth that are at the last space in your mouth, often there will be a corresponding tooth on the opposite set of teeth. When one of the teeth is missing, there is nothing for the other tooth to clack up against, which can irritate and damage the gums.

Replacing a missing tooth is about more than just aesthetics. For information about the replacement options Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS offers in our Fairfield, CT dental practice, call our office at (203) 930-1214 or visit our website, www.drkeithrudolph.com.