Restorative Dentistry FAQs

Q: What is restorative dentistry?

A: Restorative dentistry services replace missing teeth or repair damaged teeth. Some services include root canal treatments and fillings, which remove harmful infections and retain tooth structure. Other services such as dental implants, dentures, or bridges replace teeth after an extraction, injury, or other cause of tooth loss.

Q: What if I have multiple missing teeth?

A: For multiple missing teeth, Dr. Allen suggests replacing them with dentures, partial dentures, or a bridge. One way you can replace multiple missing teeth and retain natural tooth function is to anchor these prosthetics with a dental implant. Hybrid dentures, also called implant dentures, are traditional dentures secured by a dental implant to the jawbone.

Q: What are the benefits of implant dentures?

A: Implant dentures provide security with your prosthetic. Anchored by a biocompatible rod fused to the jawbone, hybrid dentures will not slip or shift with normal tooth function. Implant dentures require no messy pastes and they can be removable for cleaning depending on your specific needs.

Q: How are root canals helpful?

A: An important component of restorative dentistry procedures is to retain as much healthy tooth structure as possible. Root canal treatments help patients remove harmful bacteria from an internally infected tooth before it becomes abscessed and requires extraction. Usually done in one visit, root canals also save patients time and money by preventing the need for dental implants or other restorative procedures to replace the missing tooth after an extraction.

Q: Is it important to replace missing teeth?

A: Yes, it is important to replace a tooth after injury, extraction, infection, or other causes that have led to tooth loss. Here are some of the consequences for an unfilled void:

• Remaining teeth will drift out of place to fill the void or otherwise make up for its loss.
• Extensive wear on the remaining teeth creates vulnerability to bacteria and decay.
• Drifting of the surrounding teeth can cause malocclusion, also called bad bite.
• Eating, speaking, and other daily tooth functions become inconvenient or difficult.
• Without chewing stimulation from the tooth root, the jawbone will deteriorate.

An Invitation for Your Family

Dr. Jeffery Allen provides comfortable dental care to patients of all ages. Call (641) 628-1121 to schedule a checkup and cleaning, cosmetic consultation, or second-opinion visit. We are located on the west side of the historic town square in Pella, IA. Please see the map for directions.