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.

Digital X-rays in the Dental Office

If eligible, you may receive two types of dental X-rays upon arriving for a treatment at Dr. Keith Rudolph’s practice: intraoral (the X-ray film inside the mouth) and extraoral (the X-ray film outside the mouth. A digital X-ray allows Dr. Rudolph to take an image of the tooth or teeth and put it into an imaging program. As a benefit to the patient, the digital X-ray also provides nearly 80% less radiation than a standard X-ray.

Here at the practice, Dr. Rudolph will review your history, examine your mouth and then decide whether or not you need X-rays. Dental X-rays are a useful diagnostic tool when helping Dr. Rudolph detect damage and disease not visible during a routine dental exam. How often X-rays should be taken depends on your present oral health, your age, your risk for disease, and any signs and symptoms of oral disease. For example, children may require X-rays more often than adults because their teeth and jaws are still developing and their teeth are more likely to be affected by tooth decay than those of adults.

To learn more about digital X-rays and the 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.

Importance of Periodontal Health

Paying attention to your dental hygiene and health – especially your gums – may pay you back with more than a gleaming, healthy smile and manageable dental bills. It may keep your heart healthy too. Dr. Keith Rudolph is here to help you maintain healthy gums with routine cleanings because healthy gums aren’t just important for your oral health, they are important to your overall health as well.

When you have healthy gums, your teeth are well supported by the tissue in your gums and your chances for long-term oral health are significantly increased. Because periodontal disease is linked to an increased susceptibility to systemic disease (bacterial pneumonia, diabetes, cardiovascular disease), it is important to prevent it as well as control it. Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly is important and helps remove the thin film of bacteria that builds up on your teeth each day and contributes to tooth decay. If you have trouble maintaining a daily oral hygiene routine, give Dr. Keith Rudolph a call today.

To learn more about the dental services that Dr. Keith Rudolph provides at the office, visit www.drkeithrudolph.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Keith Rudolph in Fairfield, CT, call 203-254-9533.

Dental Care for the Whole Family

Family dentistry, like general dentistry, provides services related to the general maintenance of oral hygiene and tooth health. Family dentists are responsible for ensuring that plaque buildup around the teeth is kept to a minimum, that tooth decay is eliminated, that cavities are filled, and that gums remain healthy. Dr. Keith Rudolph is a family dentist who accepts patients of all ages, making his family dentistry office a convenient choice if you have children in your home.

Here at the office of Dr. Keith Rudolph we offer a full range of procedures to restore and maintain your oral health, and to keep your teeth looking their best. We provide routine care, fillings and other services for adults and seniors. In addition to general dental care, we offer dental implants, orthodontic care with Invisalign, endodontic, restorative dentistry and cosmetic dentistry.

If you are searching for a family dentist, look no further. To learn more about the family services that Dr. Keith Rudolph provides at the office, visit www.drkeithrudolph.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Keith Rudolph in Fairfield, CT, call 203-254-9533.