Professional Restorative Dentistry Solutions for the Flathead Valley
Living with damaged or missing teeth affects more than your smile—it impacts your ability to eat comfortably, speak clearly, and feel confident in daily life. At Alpine Family Dental in Kalispell, MT, Dr. Evan Olson provides personalized restorative dentistry solutions that address your specific needs, from CEREC same-day crowns and dental implants to fillings, bridges, and dentures.
Whether you’re experiencing tooth pain, dealing with decay, or struggling with missing teeth, our team offers advanced treatments that restore both function and confidence. Patients throughout the Flathead Valley, including Whitefish, Columbia Falls, and Bigfork, choose Alpine Family Dental for honest, compassionate care that puts their goals first. Call (406) 393-8877 today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Evan Olson and discover how restorative dentistry can transform your oral health and quality of life.
Meet Dr. Evan Olson
Dr. Evan Olson grew up in Havre, Montana, and embarked on his professional path at Montana State University with a focus in Cell Biology and Neuroscience. He earned his dental degree at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and then practiced in community health in Central Oregon before establishing his own practice. Dr. Olson remains committed to advanced training in surgical and restorative implant dentistry and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, a designation that reflects his deep knowledge of obstructive sleep apnea and snoring care. Outside the office, he lives in the Flathead Valley with his wife, Hannah, three children, and two family dogs; he enjoys hiking, boating in summer, and skiing in winter.
What is Restorative Dentistry?
Restorative dentistry is a branch of dental care focused on diagnosing, preventing, and treating oral health conditions that compromise the structure and function of your teeth. At Alpine Family Dental, Dr. Evan Olson provides restorative treatments that range from simple procedures like fillings to more complex solutions like dental implants and full-mouth reconstruction. The primary goal of restorative dentistry is to preserve as much natural tooth structure as possible while restoring proper bite function, protecting remaining healthy teeth, and preventing future dental problems. Whether you’re dealing with a single cavity or multiple missing teeth, restorative dentistry offers proven solutions that can improve your oral health, enhance your quality of life, and give you the ability to eat, speak, and smile with confidence for years to come.
CEREC Same-Day Crowns
Dr. Evan Olson has revolutionized the crown process by incorporating CEREC technology at Alpine Family Dental, allowing patients to receive custom-crafted porcelain crowns in a single visit. This advanced computer-aided design and manufacturing system uses digital imaging to eliminate messy impressions, then mills high-quality crowns from solid blocks of dental-grade porcelain right in the office in approximately two hours. The convenience of same-day crowns is ideal for busy patients in Kalispell, MT, who want to minimize time away from work and family, while the precision of computer-aided manufacturing results in an excellent fit and durability that can last 10 to 15 years or more with proper care.
Dentures
Alpine Family Dental offers both complete dentures for patients missing all teeth in an arch and partial dentures for those who have lost some teeth but retain healthy natural teeth. Dr. Evan Olson takes precise measurements and impressions to create dentures that fit comfortably and function effectively, working closely with skilled dental laboratory technicians to produce natural-looking restorations with teeth that match the size, shape, and color appropriate for each patient’s age and facial features. Modern denture materials using high-quality acrylic resins look remarkably natural and withstand daily use, while partial dentures serve double duty by replacing missing teeth and preventing the remaining natural teeth from shifting out of position.
Fillings
Dr. Evan Olson primarily uses tooth-colored composite resin fillings to treat cavities, which offer both functional and aesthetic advantages over traditional silver amalgam fillings. These fillings are made from a mixture of plastic resin and finely ground glass particles that can be precisely matched to the natural color of your teeth, making them virtually invisible when placed skillfully. Composite fillings require less removal of healthy tooth structure, bond directly to the tooth to provide strength, and don’t expand and contract with temperature changes like metal fillings do, reducing the risk of cracks developing over time.
Gum Disease Treatment
Gum disease affects millions of Americans and remains one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults, beginning when bacteria in dental plaque irritate the gum tissue and progressing from gingivitis to more severe periodontitis if left untreated. At Alpine Family Dental, Dr. Evan Olson provides comprehensive gum disease treatment ranging from professional cleanings and improved home care for mild cases to scaling and root planing for more advanced disease, where specialized instruments clean beneath the gum line to remove plaque and tartar from tooth roots. Maintenance is crucial for patients who have received gum disease treatment, with professional cleanings typically needed every three to four months rather than the routine six-month interval.
Tooth Extractions
While Dr. Evan Olson always aims to save natural teeth whenever possible, tooth extraction becomes necessary when teeth are severely damaged by decay or fracture, when advanced gum disease has destroyed the supporting bone, or when teeth are causing crowding or other problems. Simple extractions involve teeth visible above the gum line that can be removed after administering a local anesthetic, while surgical extractions are required for teeth that haven’t fully erupted or are broken below the gum line. After extraction, Dr. Evan Olson discusses tooth replacement options such as dental implants, bridges, and partial dentures to prevent problems associated with missing teeth, like shifting of adjacent teeth, bite changes, and bone loss.
Dental Bridges
Dental bridges provide a fixed solution for replacing one or more consecutive missing teeth, consisting of artificial teeth supported by dental crowns placed on the natural teeth adjacent to the gap. Dr. Evan Olson prepares the supporting teeth, takes impressions for the dental laboratory, and fits patients with temporary bridges while the permanent restoration is being created, which typically takes two to three weeks. Modern dental bridges crafted from all-porcelain or porcelain-fused-to-metal materials look remarkably natural and can last 10 to 15 years or longer with proper care, including careful brushing and flossing around the bridge using special floss threaders or interdental brushes.
Dental Implants
Dental implants represent the most advanced and longest-lasting solution for replacing missing teeth, with titanium posts surgically placed into the jawbone that fuse with the bone to create a stable foundation for crowns, bridges, or dentures. Dr. Evan Olson works with skilled oral surgeons and periodontists in Kalispell, MT, to provide comprehensive dental implant treatment, which typically unfolds over several months as the implant integrates with the bone before the final restoration is attached. Dental implants preserve jawbone by providing the stimulation that bone needs to maintain its density, don’t require special cleaning beyond regular brushing and flossing, and, with success rates exceeding 95 percent, can last a lifetime with proper care.
Frequently Asked Questions
CEREC crowns have a proven track record of durability comparable to traditional crowns, with Dr. Evan Olson having placed thousands of CEREC restorations that have performed beautifully for 10 to 15 years or more. Because CEREC crowns are milled from solid blocks of dental ceramic rather than being layered, they actually have fewer weak points where fractures might develop, and regular dental checkups at Alpine Family Dental allow for monitoring of your restoration.
Most dental insurance plans provide coverage for restorative procedures, with preventive services typically covered at 100 percent, basic restorative procedures like fillings usually receiving 70 to 80 percent coverage, and major procedures such as crowns, bridges, and dentures often receiving 50 percent coverage after the deductible is met. The team at Alpine Family Dental works with insurance companies to verify benefits and maximize coverage, and Dr. Evan Olson’s office can provide cost estimates before treatment begins.
While gum recession cannot be reversed through non-surgical treatments, scaling and root planing performed by Dr. Evan Olson can halt the progression of gum disease and prevent further bone and tissue loss, which is crucial for keeping your natural teeth. For patients concerned about the aesthetic appearance of receded gums, surgical options like gum grafting performed by a periodontist can restore gum tissue, and the success of treatment depends heavily on patient compliance with home care and regular maintenance cleanings.
Good candidates for dental implants have adequate bone density and volume, healthy gums free from active periodontal disease, and overall good health, though certain medical conditions, such as uncontrolled diabetes or heavy smoking, can interfere with healing. Dr. Evan Olson evaluates each patient individually, considering factors like jaw anatomy, bone quality, and overall health status, and patients who have been missing teeth for a long time may need bone grafting before implants can be placed.
Your Path to Complete Dental Restoration Starts in Kalispell
Your smile deserves the best care possible, and waiting to address dental problems only makes them worse and more expensive to treat. If you’ve been living with damaged, missing, or painful teeth, it’s time to discover how restorative dentistry can transform your life. Dr. Evan Olson and the compassionate team at Alpine Family Dental welcome patients from Whitefish, Columbia Falls, Bigfork, and throughout the Flathead Valley to experience dental care that prioritizes your comfort, your time, and your long-term oral health.
Don’t let another day go by feeling embarrassed about your smile or struggling to eat the foods you love. Call (406) 393-8877 now to schedule your consultation and discover how modern restorative dentistry can give you back the healthy, beautiful smile you deserve.
