Replacing Missing Teeth in Helena MT

Your teeth affect your whole body. When they’re healthy, you’re healthier too. A missing tooth can affect your bite, speech and eating choices. As you rely more on your remaining teeth, you increase the chance they will wear out prematurely, or be damaged or lost. You may also experience headaches and/or jaw pain.

Who would want their appearance and health to deteriorate? That’s the natural consequence of missing teeth – the jaw literally melts away. Generally, people will lose 25% of their supporting jawbone structure within the first year after tooth loss. Dental implants are more easily placed when teeth are first extracted because bone replacement becomes more complex as time passes. The great news? Implants act just like your natural teeth. They safeguard and preserve your bone structure, oral health and appearance. Your dentist and the implant surgeon will provide you with options so that you can make the most informed decision concerning tooth replacement.

Tooth Replacement Options

You can select from a number of different options to replace your missing teeth – from temporary to long-lasting solutions.

A good candidate is anyone missing one or more teeth, or who is unhappy with their dentures. Age is not a factor. However, smoking, diseases such as diabetes, and radiation therapy to the area, have been shown to lower the success rate of implant placement. X-rays of your jaw will be taken to evaluate whether they will accommodate implants. Detailed x-rays may also be required to determine if other tests or procedures are needed to place implants properly.


Are You Ashamed of Showing Your Missing Teeth?

Schedule a Consultation Today and Reclaim the Confidence to Smile!

Call us: 406-443-5526

An example of a dental fixed bridge

Fixed Bridge

A fixed bridge is a connected set of replacement teeth. For support, it is cemented into position on top of the teeth adjacent to the empty space. The protective outer layer of these teeth is usually removed or ground down prior to attaching the bridge.

A sample of a removable retainer with a plastic tooth known as a flipper

Flipper

A fragile, temporary and inexpensive solution is a removable plastic tooth with a plastic retainer, often called a “flipper”.

A depiction of a sturdy partial denture cast in metal and plastic

Metal Partial

A less fragile option is a removable partial denture cast in metal and plastic. It is held in place by wire clips. A removable partial denture can be removed and reinserted when required by the patient.

A representation of a full denture for the entire lower jaw

Denture

The most common solution, for people missing all teeth in one or both jaws are complete dentures. Some people adapt well to dentures. Others find them uncomfortable, even intolerable, because of differences in jaw size and shape.

A visual of a permanent dental implant to replace missing teeth

Dental Implants

Dental implants are the most comfortable and permanent solution. They form a strong foundation for teeth and keep the jaw healthy and strong. Implants support individual replacement teeth or secure specialized dentures in place. Unlike bridges, no healthy teeth are damaged. Unlike most bridges, implants can last a lifetime. Implant-supported replacement teeth can be attractive, stable, and comfortable for almost any patient.

Why Select Dental Implants Over More Traditional Types Of Restorations?

There are several reasons: A dental bridge can sacrifice the structure of surrounding good teeth to bridge the space of the missing tooth/teeth. In addition, removing a denture or a “partial” at night may be inconvenient, not to mention dentures that slip can be uncomfortable and rather embarrassing.

Associated Dental Care of Helena

5 out of 5 stars based on 2 Dental Implants reviews

Our Latest Review

Procedure
Dental Implants
Was This Your First Visit?
No
Did You Have Scheduled Appointment?
Yes
Will You Return For Additional Care If Needed?
Yes
Would You Recommend Us To A Friend?
Yes
Courtesy / Friendliness Shown To You By Our Staff Over The Phone:
The staff is very timely and friendly. Customer service is tough to come by anymore, happy to see this practice still values it!
Ease Of Scheduling Your Appointment With Our Office:
Very easy and friendly scheduling staff!
Waiting Time:
I have not waitied longer than 5 minutes for an appointment.
Overall Staff Rating:
Rating: 5
Friendly and welcoming staff across the board.
Overall Doctor Rating:
Rating: 5
Dr. Allen is very personable, professional, passionate about his career. I highly recommend him!

Thank you for everything that you have done for myself, family, and friends. You have quite the staff, keep up the good work!

- Casey L

5 out of 5 stars on
Procedure
Dental Implants
Was This Your First Visit?
No
Did You Have Scheduled Appointment?
Yes
Will You Return For Additional Care If Needed?
Yes
Would You Recommend Us To A Friend?
Yes
Courtesy / Friendliness Shown To You By Our Staff Over The Phone:
The staff is very timely and friendly. Customer service is tough to come by anymore, happy to see this practice still values it!
Ease Of Scheduling Your Appointment With Our Office:
Very easy and friendly scheduling staff!
Waiting Time:
I have not waitied longer than 5 minutes for an appointment.
Overall Staff Rating:
Rating: 5
Friendly and welcoming staff across the board.
Overall Doctor Rating:
Rating: 5
Dr. Allen is very personable, professional, passionate about his career. I highly recommend him!

Our Latest Review

Procedure
Dental Implants
Was This Your First Visit?
No
Did You Have Scheduled Appointment?
Yes
Will You Return For Additional Care If Needed?
Yes
Would You Recommend Us To A Friend?
Yes
Courtesy / Friendliness Shown To You By Our Staff Over The Phone:
Always Excellent!
Ease Of Scheduling Your Appointment With Our Office:
Painless 😉
Waiting Time:
Very Reasonable
Overall Staff Rating:
Rating: 5
Mary, Amy, and Sharon have been wonderful!
Overall Doctor Rating:
Rating: 5
Dr. Ingrid McLellan and Dr. Brandon Kiesling both have an AMAZINGLY great 'chair-side manner'. I've never had such engaging, competent, and patient-friendly dental care!

My experience at Associated Dental Care of Helena has been a treat. And that's saying something because, you know, it's the "Dentists Office" after all....! My wife had been seen there on several occasions, and when I moved to Helena she recommended that I see her dentist, Dr. Ingrid McLellan, when it came time to do so. Dr. McLellan was a delight to chat with, and was very thorough in explaining procedures and answering the questions I had. Her 'chairside manner' was wonderful, as well as that of her Dental Assitant, Mary. For the implant I'd chosen (to replace a broken tooth), I then saw Dr. Brandon Kiesling. If I'd thought my very positive experience with Dr. McLellan was a fluke, that thought was short-lived. Dr. Kiesling immediately demonstrated a wonderful manner as well, and was also a delight to chat with. Regarding the many technical details of the implant procedure it was reassuring to see that Dr. Kiesling, although a younger dentist, had done this many times before. In fact I would say that 'quiet competence' is what distinguishes the staff here, in my mind, from some other dental offices I've visited. As a patient, this is a great feeling to have. Then one can simply relax, let these obviously very caring professionals do their work, and see how many times you can get them to laugh at your frequently awful jokes 🙂 P.S. - Cleanings with Dental Hygienist Amy have been not only educational for me (down to who's having a sale on the best SonicCare Toothbrush!), but just as pleasant as every other office visit I've had there. Amy has a very tender manner, and touch. Likely, I think, to be quite compatible and reassuring even to those with anxiety about 'going to the dentist'. Great job, Associated Dental Care of Helena! I will recommend you all to anyone I know who is in need of kind, competent dental care 🙂

- Michael C

5 out of 5 stars on
Procedure
Dental Implants
Was This Your First Visit?
No
Did You Have Scheduled Appointment?
Yes
Will You Return For Additional Care If Needed?
Yes
Would You Recommend Us To A Friend?
Yes
Courtesy / Friendliness Shown To You By Our Staff Over The Phone:
Always Excellent!
Ease Of Scheduling Your Appointment With Our Office:
Painless 😉
Waiting Time:
Very Reasonable
Overall Staff Rating:
Rating: 5
Mary, Amy, and Sharon have been wonderful!
Overall Doctor Rating:
Rating: 5
Dr. Ingrid McLellan and Dr. Brandon Kiesling both have an AMAZINGLY great 'chair-side manner'. I've never had such engaging, competent, and patient-friendly dental care!