Dental Implants in Missoula, MT
Have you lost a tooth, and aren't sure how to go about getting a replacement? Missing teeth can impact your oral health, smile aesthetics, and day-to-day confidence.
We utilize dental implants for replacing single teeth, multiple teeth, or to help secure a denture. To place an implant, we work with one of the several great specialists in town. They will complete the surgery to place the implant in the bone, which takes the place of your tooth root, then our office will work with a dental lab to provide you with a crown, bridge, or implant-supported denture to fit your needs.
If you would like to learn more about how tooth implants in Missoula, MT can restore your smile, Dr. Jonathan Nelson would love to talk with you.
Contact Nelson Dentistry at (406) 542-3305 to get started.
Why is tooth replacement necessary?
Tooth replacement is incredibly essential, as all of your teeth are needed to function and maintain positive oral health properly.
Missing teeth impact your daily life in several ways. First, missing teeth force your other, remaining teeth to work harder and do tasks they were not designed for, creating stress, an increased risk for damage, and potential oral health issues as time goes by.
A lost tooth, especially those towards the front of your smile, also impacts your daily life. If you aren’t confident in your full smile and find yourself hiding your missing teeth, it will affect your daily interactions with other people and your overall confidence level.
Finally, without a replacement tooth, your surrounding teeth will begin to move and shift. This movement causes bite misalignment and could result in fractures or damage to your teeth. Without a root to support it, your jawbone begins to deteriorate, which eliminates support for other neighboring teeth, and can even change the appearance of your face.
Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that solves the problem of replacing both your tooth and its root.
Am I a candidate for dental implants in Missoula, MT?
There are a few things we look for before proceeding with the dental implant process.
A good candidate must have enough healthy jaw bone to support the implant. A bone graft surgery may be necessary for those without sufficient bone to ensure the success of the tooth implant.
We also look at your general health, as well as your dental health. Your remaining teeth must be healthy and free of cavities before proceeding with implant dentistry.
The best way to learn if dental implants are the right treatment for you is to schedule an evaluation with Missoula implant dentist Dr. Jonathan Nelson. He will take x-rays and provide a thorough examination to determine what steps you need to take to make your dental implant a reality. He will also guide you through each step of the treatment process and work closely with a trusted specialist to plan your implant placement surgery.
What does the implant process look like?
The time to complete a dental implant varies depending on the patient and the number of teeth you need to replace, but we generally estimate the process takes four to six months from start to finish.
There are two principal phases of the implant process, completed over several appointments. The first phase is the surgical placement of the artificial titanium root. Titanium is an entirely safe, biocompatible material commonly used in joint replacements, so it will naturally fuse with your jawbone over time. The implant emulates a natural root and takes time to heal and integrate with your bone fully.
The second phase of the implant process is the cosmetic, or aesthetic, phase. Dr. Nelson creates the replacement tooth from the material that is the best fit based on the patient's needs and the number of teeth we are replacing. We create artificial teeth from ceramic porcelain tooth crowns, bridges, or acrylic dentures. Your new tooth implant provides you with the same function and aesthetics your natural tooth did.
For denture wearers, dental implants provide more security and peace of mind because you will never again have to worry about your denture slipping or falling out when you are talking or eating. If you or a loved one is living with an ill-fitting denture, Dr. Nelson would like to speak with you about your options for an implant-supported denture.
What are the advantages of choosing dental implants for tooth replacement?
Besides restoring a lost tooth and helping you reclaim your confidence, dental implants offer numerous additional benefits to our patients, such as:
- Exceptional longevity - tooth implants can potentially last for a lifetime with the right care
- A wise long-term investment - Because of their excellent longevity, a tooth implant is an ideal long-term choice to restore your smile
- Natural function and feel - Your new tooth acts just like a natural tooth
- A reliable treatment procedure - Dental implants have a 95 percent success rate
For these reasons, we consider tooth implants in Missoula to be the gold standard when it comes to tooth replacement. Dr. Nelson is happy to share the benefits of choosing dental implants with you during your evaluation.
How can I care for my dental implant?
Following the completion of your dental implants, you can treat your implant as you would the rest of your natural teeth. Be sure to brush and floss regularly, and make it a priority to
see your Missoula dentist twice each year for a professional cleaning and exam.
Infection is the enemy of tooth implants and is usually the cause of failure. Keeping your tooth clean and plaque-free reduces your chances of developing a tooth infection and ensures the longevity of your dental implant.
Are tooth implants in Missoula expensive?
The cost of your implant dentistry varies depending on your needs. For example, you might need a single tooth replacement requiring one implant, while another patient is restoring multiple teeth with a bridge that requires two implants. These factors affect the cost and timeline of your treatment. The best way to determine the exact cost of your treatment is to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Nelson.
When you consider that your dental implant in Missoula has the potential to last for a lifetime, it can become more cost-effective than an option that will need to be replaced in the future.
While dental implants are typically not covered by insurance, we are happy to work with patients who want to fit implant dentistry into their budgets with third-party financing from CareCredit, or even in-house funding for patients who qualify. Don't hesitate to contact our financial coordinator to learn more about your payment options for implant dentistry.
Get started with dental implants in Missoula
Do you think you are a candidate for dental implants? Give our Missoula restorative dental office a call today at (406) 542-3305 to book your evaluation with Dr. Nelson. You can also schedule an appointment online. Here, we will determine if you are a good immediate candidate for dental implants as well as craft your personalized restoration plan and the timeline for your procedure.
Videos explaining a dental implant:
Video explaining the difference between a dental implant and a bridge:
Frequently Asked Questions
A dental implant is a permanent prosthesis used to replace an entire missing tooth, including the roots. There are 3 parts to a tooth implant. The dental implant (or post) that replaces the tooth roots, the crown (or tooth) that replaces what you see and feel, and the abutment which connects the other two pieces together. The dental implant is a small titanium post that integrates into the jawbone replacing the missing tooth root. On top of this post the abutment can be placed allowing either a single crown, a fixed bridge, a partial denture, or a full denture to be attached. While the process from tooth removal to finished replacement takes around six months, there is no better replacement for a failed tooth than a dental implant.
There is a 95% success rate with dental implants and with proper care, a tooth implant can potentially last a lifetime. Dental implants function and feel just like a natural tooth allowing you to chew, floss, and brush-like nothing ever happened. A great benefit of dental implants is that they are made with titanium and can never get dental decay like a natural tooth.
There is a risk of infection, inflammation, and pain with any minor oral surgical procedure. Additionally, if there is no available bone to place the implant, then bone and gum grafting procedures may be necessary. If you suffer from chronic gum disease, the bone surrounding an implant is affected similarly to natural teeth. If you're unable to keep the implant clean with brushing and flossing due to limited dexterity or simply know you won't do it, then a dental implant may not be the best solution.
You have three options for replacing your missing tooth or teeth.
Dental implants are an excellent solution for missing teeth because dental implants function, feel, and look just like a natural tooth. Additionally, they have the potential of lasting a lifetime, so they are quickly becoming the solution of choice for both patients and dentists.
Bridges are the historic "go to" treatment for replacing a missing tooth. A bridge is a replacement tooth suspended between two dental crowns to the left and right of your missing tooth. Bridges can also be supported by dental implants. A bridge will blend seamlessly with your natural teeth.
Partial dentures are arches or plates with replacement teeth added to fill in the gaps in your smile. The arch or plate relies on healthy surrounding teeth to keep it in place with custom clasps that work with your oral structure. Unlike dental implants or bridges, partial dentures are completely removable.
Replacing your missing teeth will allow you to smile, eat, and speak again with confidence. Give us a call to set up an appointment to determine which of the above solutions will work best for your tooth replacement.
You can always expect the highest quality care and unmatched patient comfort at Nelson Dentistry. We strive to help our patients discover and maintain their healthiest, most attractive smiles, and dental implants help us do just that.
Dr. Jonathan Nelson is a dental implant expert who can help you achieve optimal oral health and a beautiful smile. Dr. Nelson leads our team of highly experienced and skilled professionals who focus on patient-centered care. Dental implants are not a one-size-fits-all solution, which is why we take the time to get to know each patient’s goals for dental care and overall wellness.
At Nelson Dentistry, we use state-of-the-art technology to provide personalized, realistic, and precise dental implants. Dr. Nelson collaborates with an implant placement specialist so we can ensure the process is as comfortable and streamlined as possible. Dr. Nelson also designs your new teeth to complement your appearance, paying close attention to shade, shape, and size.
About Dr. Jonathan Nelson
Dr. Nelson is a proud graduate of Capital High School and Montana State with a degree in Cell Biology and Neuroscience. Like our practice’s previous dentist Dr. Jackie Jones, Dr. Nelson graduated from Oregon Health and Science University’s School of Dentistry, and he is thrilled to be back in his beloved home of Montana.
Dr. Nelson truly loves his patients and strives to give them the best opportunity for healthy, lifelong smiles. He collaborates with his patients to develop the best treatment plans for their needs, goals, and budgets. Our Nelson Dentistry team takes great pride in striving for our best in dental care, and we are honored to be entrusted with many families’ smiles.
Looking for Dental Implants in Missoula?
If you desire a healthier, more attractive smile with dental implants, Nelson Dentistry is the place to be. The best way to determine if dental implants are right for you is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Nelson at our Missoula dental office.
Meet Our Doctor:
Dr. Jonathan Nelson
Dentist
I am no stranger to Montana. From about preschool to 3rd grade I lived in Missoula near Chief Charlo Elementary. In fact, I was part of the inaugural 3rd grade class at Chief Charlo when it first opened. Before that, I attended C.M. Russell Elementary just down the road from our current dental office! Then, due to my parent’s job relocation, we moved to Helena, MT.
I graduated from Capital High School and then went on to graduate at Montana State with the degree of Cell Biology and Neuroscience. Similarly to ...
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