Uncomfortable dentures are a thing of the past. See the difference our modern dentures can make!

Patients smiling after visit to the dentist in Missoula

Restore Your Smile to Beauty with Nelson Dentistry

Modern Dentures in Missoula, MT

If you have missing teeth, it can change the way you speak, the foods you’re able to eat, and even lead to further tooth loss. Missing teeth can also have a detrimental impact on your self- Patient with partial dentures at dentist in Missoula MT esteem, which holds you back from enjoying life and mixing with friends and family.

Dr. Jonathan Nelson provides dentures and partial dentures in Missoula, MT to help his patients love life again with a smile. He uses the highest quality materials and latest advances to ensure a natural-looking denture or partial and a comfortable fit.

If you’re ready to take charge and restore your smile, contact Nelson Dentistry today at (406) 542-3305 to schedule an exam with Dr. Jonathan Nelson. He can assess your teeth and gums to make sure dentures or partials are right for you, or he can recommend other solutions to treat your tooth loss.

Meanwhile, check out some of our most frequently asked questions below. These are the questions we hear the most! If you have a different question, or if you would like further information, get in touch with us today.

What are dentures?
What are partials?
Are dentures or partials right for me?
What is the denture process?
Will my dentures look natural?
Will my dentures feel comfortable?
What are implant-supported dentures?
What is the difference between a partial denture and a dental bridge?
Can I schedule an appointment today?

What are dentures?

Dentures are arches or plates of replacement teeth for people who have complete tooth loss. Traditional dentures or removable dentures can be taken out during sleep or for cleaning.

Dentures at Nelson Dentistry are affordable and give you a natural-looking smile because our Missoula, MT dentist uses only the latest technologies and quality materials to create new smiles for his patients.

You can opt for a top arch, lower arch, or complete removable dentures depending on your situation.

What are partials?

Partial dentures are arches or plates with replacement teeth added to fill in the gaps in your smile. Partial dentures are for people who are missing some but not all of their teeth.

The arch or plate relies on healthy surrounding teeth to keep it in place with custom clasps that work with your oral structure.

Are dentures or partials right for me?

Dr. Jonathan Nelson will give you a thorough oral exam to determine whether dentures are the best option for you. In some cases, he may recommend an implant-supported denture or other option depending on exam findings.

What is the denture process?

Our top Missoula, MT dentist takes a mold of your mouth, and this mold is used to create dentures especially for you. If you opt for a partial denture, teeth will be shaded and shaped to match your smile.

How do dentures stay in place?

Complete dentures rely mainly on suction for the top plate and gravity in conjunction with mouth muscles for the bottom. Many patients can train themselves with practice to use these traditional complete dentures, but when they have a complaint, it's usually that the bottom denture moves too much.

When teeth are missing, your jaw shrinks, and this means dentures eventually loosen or don’t fit your gums as well as they did when you first got them. Some patients rely on over-the-counter adhesives to correct this. It is also possible to realign your dentures at home or in our dental office.

One of the significant new advances in technology means using individual dental implants that the lower denture can now "snap" onto, making them much more secure.

A dental implant is a thin but sturdy post that bonds with your jawbone and acts as a root for a replacement tooth or other restoration type. Implant-supported dentures help reduce bone loss in the jaw because the posts stimulate the bone to remain as it is. Dental implant-supported dentures also mean no pastes, slippage, or realigns.

Will my dentures look natural?

Dr. Jonathan Nelson oversees the creation of your denture, and he is in touch with the artist who completes the work. At Nelson Dentistry, we are detail oriented and take pride in our work and the work we represent to our patients.

The good news is that our patients love their dentures and partials from Nelson Dentistry. We want you to love your new natural-looking smile, too.

Will my dentures feel comfortable?

Like with anything new, it may take a few days to get used to your dentures, but our dentures in Missoula, MT are designed with your comfort in mind!

Dr. Jonathan Nelson takes accurate molds of your mouth to ensure the best denture or partial fit well.

What are implant-supported dentures?

Implant-supported dentures are a more permanent solution to tooth loss because your denture is secured to your jaw.

The benefits of implant-supported dentures in Missoula, MT include:

No pastes or adhesives
No store-bought or in-office realign kits as gums shrink and dentures loosen
Less jawbone shrinkage because implant posts stimulate the jawbone—loss of jawbone makes dentures fit loosely and brings an aged or sunken appearance to your face
A stronger bite
No slippage while speaking or eating

What is the difference between a partial denture and a dental bridge?

A partial denture is a plate that fits inside your mouth—around existing teeth—to complete your smile. A partial denture stands in for teeth that are missing by holding restorations that will fill in the gaps. These teeth are shaded to match your existing teeth. Also, a dental bridge is removable for sleeping and during brushing and flossing.

A dental bridge is similar to a partial, but it is secured and not removable, relying on dental crowns connected to adjacent teeth to hold a restoration tooth in the right position to complete your smile–or a dental implant for stability. Like a partial denture, bridge restoration teeth are colored to blend in with your smile.

How should I take care of my denture or partial?

The best way to take care of your denture or partial is to keep it clean. Dr. Jonathan Nelson will instruct you on the right products and toothbrush type to use. Note that we don’t recommend toothpaste for dentures because it is too abrasive.

You also want to make sure to keep your gums clean to prevent gum disease or gum infections, which can lead to you being unable to wear your dentures or partials successfully.

In the case of partial dentures, you want to make sure your remaining teeth stay healthy to support your appliance.

It’s important to remember that restorations and dental appliances will not prevent periodontal disease, which is a potentially serious infection of the gums that can spread.

We recommend the following guidelines put forward by the American Dental Association:

Visit your dentist twice yearly
Schedule and keep twice yearly cleanings
Allow safe x-rays periodically so your dentist can spot small issues before they become big problems.

At Nelson Dentistry, our Missoula, MT dentist wants you to enjoy your new smile and get the most out of your dentures and investment.

Schedule an Appointment in Missoula, MT

You can schedule an appointment with our dental office by phone or online. If you have questions, we also encourage you to contact us. We love hearing from new patients and our regulars, and we look forward to inviting you to join our dental family in Missoula, MT.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do dentures last?

At Nelson Dentistry, we know how missing teeth can impact how you eat, speak, smile, and even feel about yourself. Dr. Jonathan Nelson offers custom-made and hand-crafted dentures as a reliable tooth restoration option.

We provide multiple options for dentures: partials are great for patients who have some teeth that need to be replaced. They allow patients to chew, speak, and look great. They also fill out the cheeks where the missing tooth had created a sunken appearance to prevent facial sag or your remaining teeth from shifting. Complete dentures are perfect for patients who are missing all their teeth on the upper or lower arch, or both.

Proper Maintenance Is Critical

Dentures can last for many years, especially if they are well taken care of. Patients are encouraged to visit their denture dentist in Missoula so that we can make any necessary adjustments. Even if all the teeth have been restored, patients will still need to come in annually for a dental check-up.

According to the American Dental Association, patients should replace their dentures every 5-7 years to account for changes in the fit and to restore their appearance. Typically dentures have an average life of 7-10 years.

Dentures can have regular wear-and-tear that comes with usage; they can stain and wear down faster than natural teeth. The jawbone and tissues can shrink over time, which will change the way dentures fit the gumline.

Call Nelson Dentistry for Your Denture Check-Up

With proper care, your dentures can last for many years; patients will need to replace them to keep up with any changes to the bone or gums.

Should I get partial or full dentures?

Are you missing one or multiple teeth? If so, there is more to worry about other than how it affects your appearance. Every tooth plays a vital role and function in the structure of our faces, so even one missing tooth can cause your face to sag and appear older. Missing a tooth can also have a negative impact on how you speak or chew.

Without a tooth root, nearby teeth can start to shift towards the gap left in your smile. This can alter the alignment of your bite, make it more difficult to chew, and create multiple difficulties. For these reasons, we recommend dentures at Nelson Dentistry.

Partial and Full Dentures

We custom fabricate dentures from impressions that we take of your mouth. Patients who have existing natural teeth are more suited to partial dentures, which work around their teeth and allow them to retain as much of their original smile as possible.

Full dentures are ideal for patients who are missing most or all of their teeth on the upper or lower arch.

The denture base for full dentures is gum-colored and rests along the gum line; it is fabricated to fit along your gums perfectly.

Partial dentures use one or more teeth to hold the dentures in place. If the existing teeth are not a good option for this, the prosthetic tooth can be attached directly to the jaw using dental implants.

Dentures go a long way to functioning and looking like real teeth, and they allow patients the freedom to eat what they want and speak clearly.

Your Dentist Can Help You Determine Which Dentures Are Ideal

Your dentist at Nelson Dentistry, Dr. Jonathan Nelson, can help you determine which option fits your needs, lifestyle, and budget best. We will also go over how to maintain them and how long they can last for you.

We look forward to making your life easier and making your investment in your oral health an excellent one. Call our Missoula, MT dental office a call today.

How can I replace my missing teeth?

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.

Should I wear my dentures all the time?

It may be tempting to wear your dentures all the time after you get used to them. However, your dentist in Missoula, MT, suggests it's a good idea to take a break from wearing your dentures to give your soft tissues a break and soak the denture to keep it from cracking.

A good rule of thumb is to take your denture out while sleeping. This gives you a chance to clean it. You can brush your denture with a soft-bristle toothbrush to remove any remaining food particles and then soak your denture in warm water or a denture solution during the night.

Taking your denture out at night also reduces the bacteria on your denture and in your mouth. When you clean your denture daily, you'll eliminate plaque and bacteria buildup. This can also reduce the bacteria in your mouth that causes bad breath.

Your soft tissues can sometimes get sore or irritated from constant denture wear. Taking your denture out at night allows your soft tissues time to rest, heal, and rejuvenate.

Do you have questions about dentures in Missoula, MT? Contact Nelson Dentistry at (406) 542-3305 if you have questions or concerns about your dentures. We're here to help!

What does it feel like to wear a denture?

As with anything else, dentures have a learning curve as you first get used to wearing them. They may feel bulky at first, and it will take some time to navigate chewing with them. You may also produce extra saliva at first, but that should normalize after the first couple of days of wearing your denture.

However, most patients enjoy the fact that they can smile with confidence again with their new teeth.

You'll remove your denture at night for cleaning, and you can soak it in water or a denture solution while you sleep.

If you're looking for a more permanent solution for your smile, implant-supported dentures in Missoula, MT, might be an option. Four carefully placed dental implants can support your denture as it "snaps" into it, keeping it secure and stable.

There is no movement or slippage to get used to with implant-supported dentures, which is why many patients choose them or switch their current dentures to them.

Dentures in Missoula, MT, may be ideal if you're looking for solutions for multiple missing teeth. Dr. Jonathan Nelson, your trusted dentist in Missoula, MT, would love to discuss your options. Contact Nelson Dentistry today at (406) 542-3305 to learn more about dentures.

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 ...