La Crosse
3143 State Road Suite 100, La Crosse, WI 54601
If you are missing a tooth, or have one that needs to come out, you are probably wondering what comes next and whether the gap really matters. At Rivertown Dental, we help patients across Wisconsin's Coulee Region answer that question at our offices in La Crosse, Holmen, Arcadia and Viroqua. We also have a dedicated Implant Clinic in our Holmen building. Because we place and restore dental implants in-house, most patients can plan, treat and follow up on tooth replacement close to home, without a referral out of the area.
Tooth replacement fills the space left by a missing tooth with a restoration designed to look and work like a natural tooth. Sometimes a tooth was lost years ago. Sometimes a cracked molar has to be removed this month. Other patients have several failing teeth and want to rethink their whole smile. Each of these calls for a different plan, so we start by listening and examining before recommending anything.
The right option depends on how many teeth are missing, the health of the neighboring teeth and gums, and your goals. Here are the treatments we offer for replacing teeth:
- Dental implants, which replace a single tooth from the root up and support a crown
- Bridges, which use neighboring teeth to hold a replacement tooth in the gap
- Fixed implant-supported bridges, which span several missing teeth without relying on natural teeth for support
- Full arch dental implants, which replace an entire upper or lower set of teeth through our Implant Clinic
Most adults with missing or failing teeth can be considered for some form of replacement. Your specific option depends on what we find during your exam and X-rays. We use digital X-rays to look at the bone and roots. We also check your gums, because healthy gums matter for any restoration. If we find gum disease, we can treat it first with scaling and root planing and then continue with periodontal maintenance.
Implants depend on having enough healthy bone to support them, so that is something we evaluate early. If a tooth still needs to come out, we handle extractions and oral surgery in our own offices. Many patients feel anxious about this step. For adults, IV sedation and nitrous oxide sedation are available, and we will talk through which one suits you. We will never judge you for how long it has been since your last visit.
How does Rivertown Dental make treatment more comfortable?
We pair careful clinical planning with genuine comfort through what we call The Ascent Experience: advanced care, genuine comfort, and a better experience from start to finish. During longer appointments, that can mean a warm towelette, a blanket, a support pillow, headphones and essential oils.
Our on-site dental lab helps us coordinate the restorations we make. For larger cases, such as full arch treatment, our Implant Clinic in Holmen brings that work under one roof. Dr. Joseph Uker, one of our Full Arch Providers, focuses on this kind of care. Throughout the process, we explain each step plainly so you know what is happening and why.
How do I care for my replacement teeth afterward?
You care for replacement teeth much like natural ones: brush, clean between teeth, and keep your regular checkups. Implants and bridges still sit next to living gum tissue, and that tissue needs attention to stay healthy. Bridges call for extra cleaning under the replacement tooth. Our hygienists will show you how to do this at home.
We also provide implant maintenance as part of your ongoing visits. During those visits we check the gums around each implant and look for anything that needs early attention. If you grind your teeth at night, we may suggest a night mouth guard to help protect your restorations. How long any replacement lasts depends on home care, regular visits and your overall health, so we treat follow-up as part of the plan.
How can I pay for tooth replacement?
We work with many dental insurance plans, so please call your office to confirm your coverage before treatment. We also welcome self-pay patients. For larger plans, we can walk you through each phase so the costs are clear before you begin.
Third-party financing is available through Cherry, CareCredit and Proceed Finance for patients who qualify. Approval depends on each lender's review. If you do not have insurance, our Rivertown Membership Plans, also called the VIP Program, include Classic, Deluxe and Kids options. These plans cover cleanings, exams, X-rays and fluoride, plus a discount on treatment. Membership plans cannot be combined with insurance, and our team can help you decide which approach fits your situation.
How do I get started?
Getting started takes one call to the Rivertown Dental office closest to you in La Crosse, Holmen, Arcadia or Viroqua. We will schedule an exam and talk through your options. You will leave with a clear picture of what makes sense for your mouth and your goals.
Families across the region trust us for everything from children's checkups to implants. Across our four offices, we have more than 1,600 Google reviews as of November 2026. When you are ready to fill that gap, we would be glad to help. Dentistry, Done Differently.
Questions
Tooth Replacement FAQs
How much does tooth replacement cost, and will my insurance help?
The cost depends on which option fits your mouth best, whether that is a dental implant, a bridge or a full mouth plan, so we give you a personal treatment estimate after your exam at our La Crosse, Holmen, Arcadia or Viroqua office. We work with many dental insurance plans, so please call the office to confirm your coverage, and patients without insurance can ask about our Rivertown Membership Plans. We also offer third-party financing through Cherry, CareCredit and Proceed Finance for patients who qualify, though approval is not guaranteed.
Does getting a missing tooth replaced hurt?
Most patients tell us the process is more comfortable than they expected, because we numb the area well and offer sedation options for adults, including nitrous oxide and IV sedation. Our Ascent Experience adds small comforts like a warm towelette, blanket, support pillow, headphones and essential oils. We explain each step before we start, so you always know what to expect.
How long does tooth replacement take?
The timeline depends on the option you choose, and a bridge typically takes fewer visits than a dental implant, which needs time to heal before the final tooth is placed. Because we place and restore implants in-house and have an on-site dental lab, much of your care can stay close to home in the Coulee Region. We will map out your visits at your consultation so you can plan ahead.
How long will my replacement tooth last?
How long a replacement tooth lasts depends on the type of restoration, your oral health and how well you care for it at home. Regular cleanings, exams and implant maintenance visits with our team help us spot small issues early. We cannot promise a specific lifespan, but we will show you how to protect your new tooth for as long as possible.
Am I a good candidate for tooth replacement, and what are my options?
Most adults who are missing one or more teeth can benefit from some form of tooth replacement, and the right choice depends on your gum health, bone and overall goals. Options we offer include dental implants, bridges, crowns and full mouth dental implants, and if gum disease is present we can treat it first. Our general dentists will review your exam and X-rays with you and talk through the pros and cons of each option, with no judgment about how long it has been.