Advanced Relationship-Based Dentistry in Redding, CA
Nerdy about details. Deliberate about planning. Serious about doing things well.
Chris Nelson DDS & Michael Nelson DDS
Many patients come to us because they want more than a quick fix. They want to understand what is happening, see their options clearly, and make thoughtful decisions about their long-term dental health.
At Nelson Family Dental, we combine a three-generation family legacy since 1960 by Dr. Leon Nelson with a modern, highly detailed approach to restorative, cosmetic, implant, and comprehensive dentistry.
Actual dentistry.
Actual cases.
Actual patients.
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Front Tooth Implant Gum Recession
A front tooth implant should disappear into the smile.
This one was doing the opposite. The patient came to us with severe gum recession, an uneven gumline, and a poorly fitting crown that made the implant stand out. Instead of simply replacing the crown, we rebuilt the foundation first with a custom temporary crown, gum grafting with Dr. Eric Blasingame at Team Perio, and careful tissue shaping over time. Once the gumline matured, we completed the case with a custom titanium abutment and screw-retained layered zirconia crown. The result is a healthier, more natural-looking front tooth implant that blends into the smile instead of drawing attention to itself.
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Restoring a Collapsed Bite
When teeth wear down, the bite can collapse — but that doesn’t mean the only answer is grinding every tooth down for crowns.
In this case, Dr. Chris Nelson walks through how worn teeth and a collapsed bite can be restored using careful planning, adhesive dentistry, and a deliberate increase in vertical dimension. The goal was to rebuild strength, improve function, and create a more natural-looking smile while preserving as much healthy tooth structure as possible.
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Composite Veneers Before & After
A new smile in one visit — no numbing, no drilling, and about two hours start to finish.
This same-day composite veneer case used direct bonding to improve tooth shape, color, symmetry, and overall smile balance in a conservative way. Using Tokuyama OMNICHROMA and Estelite Sigma Quick composite, we were able to reshape the front teeth by hand and create an immediate transformation without porcelain veneers or anesthetic. This is the kind of dentistry I love: careful, artistic, detail-driven, and completed with the patient’s natural teeth in mind.
Is this the right office for you?
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Your teeth are worn, broken, missing, or failing
You have old crowns, bridges, fillings, or dental work that no longer looks or feels right
You want a dentist who explains what is happening instead of rushing to treatment
You value quality, planning, and long-term relationships
You want help coordinating care with trusted local specialists when needed
You may have dental insurance, but you do not want insurance to be the only factor guiding your care
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You are looking only for the lowest possible fee
You want emergency-only patchwork dentistry
You want treatment limited strictly to what insurance covers
You are not interested in understanding the bigger picture
We look at the whole picture
Bite forces, old restorations, tooth wear, gum health, missing teeth, esthetics, habits, and previous dental work can all affect what should happen next.
Our new patient process is designed to slow down, gather the right information, and help you understand your options. That often includes photos, digital scans, X-rays, a careful exam, and a separate conversation about what we see.
A single broken tooth may be a part of a bigger story.
Comprehensive care does not mean doing everything at once.
Many of our patients have normal jobs, families, budgets, and dental insurance. A thoughtful plan does not always mean doing the most dentistry.
It means understanding the ideal direction, then deciding what makes sense now, what can wait, and what should be watched over time.
Insurance-independent dentistry
Many of our patients have dental insurance, and we are happy to submit claims on their behalf.
We are an insurance-independent office, which means we are not contracted with insurance companies to limit our recommendations to what a plan happens to cover.
Our job is to explain what we see, discuss your options, and help you make thoughtful decisions about your dental health.
Looking specifically for dentures or implant dentures?
Every day we help denture patients be happy. Dentures are such an important part of what Dr. Chris does, he created a separate website focused specifically on: immediate dentures, implant dentures, partial dentures, snap-on dentures, and advanced denture options.
Dr. Chris Nelson, Dr. Eric Blasingame, and Dr. Will Liska (Team Perio) pictured at Nelson Family Dental.
Complicated cases often require the right team.
Some dental problems require more than one provider.
When needed, we coordinate with trusted local specialists in periodontics, oral surgery, and endodontics so patients are not left trying to figure out the sequence alone.
Our role is often to help diagnose the problem, explain the options, coordinate the plan, and restore the final result.
4.9 stars on Google
“The state of the art technology utilized by Nelson Family Dental is impressive and rendered a painful procedure I have undergone too many times over the years completely painless. It saved time and minimized levels of anxiety to almost nil. Everyone is professional, informative and helpful. I recommend the dental office highly.”
“I have loved everyone in this office for over a decade now. I’ve had nothing short of exceptional service and professionalism with every encounter. Over the years, I have recommended this office to many of my colleagues and now everyone I have referred has told me how pleased they are as well. Keep up all the fabulous work and preventative care. Redding loves you!!”
“No one loves to go to the Dentist but I really have to say I don't hate going like I used too. Dr. Chris is amazing and the staff is amazing as well. I feel lucky to have a Dentist like Dr. Chris an appreciate his expertise and mannerism. He learned from the best, his father, and will continue to see them when I need too! Thank you Nelson family Dental!!!☆☆☆☆☆.”
Start with a conversation.
You are welcome to send a message, ask a question, or share your story directly and connect with Dr. Chris Nelson!