Rotary Endodontics for More Comfortable and Quicker Root Canals

In the past, root canals had a reputation for being painful. These days, they are known for being no more uncomfortable than a dental filling. This is because Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS uses rotary endodontics here in our Fairfield, CT dental practice.

Rotary endodontics is an updated way of performing root canal therapy. We now use an electrical handpiece with a nickel titanium alloy file instead of a manual file made of steel. The electrical handpiece allows us to perform the root canal therapy much quicker and quieter. This is great for patients who do not like spending a lot of time in the dental chair, as well as patients with dental anxiety.

The nickel titanium alloy file is much more flexible than the steel file of the past. This helps our patients’ comfort level by a great deal. The flexible file does not stretch the root canal or cause damage like the old files could sometimes do. They help us go deep into the root canal without causing discomfort. This creates less pain both during the procedure and afterwards.

If you are facing a root canal soon or are avoiding one, do not worry. New technology has allowed us to perform root canal therapy that is much more comfortable and quick. To schedule your appointment with Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS here in Fairfield, CT, call our office at (203) 254-9533 or visit our website, www.drkeithrudolph.com. 

Lumineers for a Perfect Ten Smile

A perfect smile is hard to come by, but fortunately, a perfect smile can be made! At Dr. Keith Rudolph’s Fairfield, CT dental practice, he gives our patients perfect smiles with Lumineers! Lumineers are a great way to instantly transform a smile without any major dental work.

Lumineers are very thin ceramic shells that are custom made to fit over your existing teeth. Dr. Rudolph bonds them into place for a strong and durable hold that remains in good condition for over twenty years! They are stain-resistant, as well, so your bright and white smile will be around for a long time.

Lumineers are great for improving the look of dental imperfections like misaligned teeth, gaps, cracks, chips, stains, and more. Dr. Rudolph will take impressions of your teeth and send them to a dental laboratory. This dental lab will use the impressions and photos of your smile to create completely custom Lumineers. When the Lumineers are ready, Dr. Rudolph bonds them into place. Since there is no tooth preparation needed for Lumineers, they are completely reversible if that is desired later on.

If you are looking to achieve that perfect ten smile, look no further than Lumineers. To schedule your consultation with Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS in Fairfield, CT, call our office at (203) 254-9533 or visit our website, www.drkeithrudolph.com. 

Mini Dental Implants

Along with traditional dental implants, mini implants are able to last a lifetime with good treatment. Mini implants are great for smaller openings and for retaining dentures. It is for these reasons why Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS of Fairfield, CT offers mini implants to his patients who need to replace a missing tooth or create more stable dentures.

Mini implants are half the size of traditional implants, so they can fit in more narrow spaces. In addition, they do not need to be surgically implanted like traditional implants, so the replacement tooth (the crown) is often able to be placed the same day as the implant. This is great for patients who do not have time to wait months for a full-sized implant to heal. The healing process is also a lot less complicated.

What is great about mini implants is that they are able to be used to create a much more stable base for dentures. Four to six mini implants are placed along the upper or lower jaw line and the dentures are made to clip onto the implants. The dentures are easy to clip in and out, so patients will feel comfortable doing it on their own. No more mobile dentures while you are eating, talking, or smiling.

If you think mini implants may be the answer to your missing tooth problems, schedule an appointment with us. Call our Fairfield, CT office at (203) 254-9533 or visit our website, www.drkeithrudolph.com to schedule an appointment with Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS. 

The Purpose of Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are thin, plastic coatings painted on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. The purpose they serve is to seal out cavities and avoid tooth decay that is caused by food particles and plaque left in between teeth. Sealants are easy for Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS to apply. With proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits to make sure they are not chipped or worn away, sealants can last up to 10 years.

Although thorough brushing and flossing can remove food particles and plaque from smooth surfaces of teeth, they cannot always get into all the nooks and crannies of the back teeth to remove these substances. Sealants protect these vulnerable areas from tooth decay by “sealing out” plaque and food. Because of the likelihood of developing decay in the depressions and grooves of the premolars and molars, children and teenagers are the most popular candidates for sealants. However, adults without decay or fillings in their molars can also benefit from sealants.

If you believe that you or your child may benefit from dental sealants, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visitwww.drkeithrudolph.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS in Fairfield, CT, call 203-254-9533.

Baby Tooth Care

When teeth first come in, your child may start to fuss. This is because he or she has sore or tender gums and the eruption of those little tooth buds are causing them pain. Parents often, when should I start cleaning my child’s teeth? The answer is that daily dental cleaning should start as soon as your infant’s first tooth appears. To help prevent the buildup of plaque bacteria that can lead to decay, Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS highly recommends regularly cleaning your newborn’s gums with a damp washcloth following feedings.

While most babies don’t start getting teeth until they are six months old, infant dental care is important from the very beginning. In addition to cleaning your baby’s gums with a damp cloth, you can also gently rub their gums with a clean finger, a small, cool spoon, or a wet gauze pad. You can also give the baby a clean teething ring to chew on. It’s important to care for your baby’s teeth from the start because his or her gums act as placement holders for permanent teeth.

If you have questions about your child’s tooth care, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide 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.

Protect Your Teeth from Plaque

Have you ever licked your teeth with your tongue and felt a fuzzy buildup? That fuzzy stuff is called plaque and it’s a sticky, colorless film of bacteria and sugars that are constantly forming on our teeth. Plaque is the main cause of cavities and gum disease, and can harden into tartar that only Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS and staff will be able to remove if you don’t brush and floss on a daily basis or visit our practice for regular dental checkups.

Plaque contains bacteria, which produce acids that attack your tooth enamel and can damage your gums. If not treated, the damage can become permanent and you may increase your chance of needing costly dental procedures in the future. Since plaque is constantly growing in your mouth, the best way to remove it and to prevent tartar buildup is to brush and floss your teeth every day, using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to remove plaque from the surface and protect your teeth from decay.

If you are due for a dental checkup or a teeth cleaning, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide 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.

Tooth Sensitivity Causes and Treatment

Tooth sensitivity is one of the most common complaints among dental patients. It is caused by the movement of fluid within tiny tubes located in the dentin (the layer of tissue found beneath the hard enamel that contains the inner pulp), which results in nerve irritation. When you have sensitive teeth, certain activities such as brushing, flossing, or eating and drinking, can cause sharp, temporary pain in your teeth. If you’re concerned about sensitive teeth, start by visiting Dr. Keith Rudolph, DDS. He can identify or rule out any underlying causes of your tooth pain.

Sensitive teeth are typically the result of worn tooth enamel or exposed tooth roots. Sometimes, however, tooth sensitivity is caused by other factors, such as a cavity, a cracked or chipped tooth, a recently placed filling or a side effect of other dental procedures, such as whitening or bleaching. To prevent sensitive teeth from recurring, Dr. Keith Rudolph can offer suggestions to help you maintain your oral health. Maintaining a proper oral hygiene is the key prevention to tooth sensitivity.

If you have sensitive teeth and would like to discuss your treatment options, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide 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.