Dr. Edward Nelson, a Harvard-trained prosthodontist, has looked after Cape Cod smiles since 1984. His son, Dr. Andrew Nelson, came home to practise beside him, and today you will find them on Lewis Bay Road in Hyannis.
years of general and prosthetic dentistry on Cape Cod, now father and son.
Where our dentists trained, and what the practice is built on
Our story, since 1984
“Patients tell me all of the time that I sound just like my dad.” Dr. Andrew Nelson, in the Cape Cod Times, 2015.
How this practice works
That has always been the goal here, in the practice’s own words. These are three of the ways it shows up in the chair.
The problem: two appointments, an impression tray to bite into, and a temporary crown in between.
With CEREC, a small camera takes an optical impression of the prepared tooth. The crown is designed on screen, milled from a ceramic block that matches your shade in about 10 to 20 minutes, tried in, polished and bonded, all in the same appointment.
The problem: the drill’s whine and vibration, and stitches after gum treatment.
Electric handpieces rather than air-driven ones give a more precise fit between tooth and restoration, with less vibration and less noise. A soft-tissue laser handles gum procedures, often with no local anaesthetic, no sutures and faster healing.
The problem: the part of a dental practice nobody shows you.
The whole team follows the procedures of OSHA, the EPA and the Centers for Disease Control. Every reusable instrument, including handpieces, goes through an autoclave of steam, heat and pressure, and disposables are used wherever they can be. Ask any of us about it.
Meet the doctors
That is how the Nelsons put it to the Cape Cod Times. Both practise general dentistry, Dr. Edward is also a specialist in prosthodontics, and they see each other’s patients.
Dr. Andrew grew up in Marstons Mills. He and his wife, Dr. Amy Fugate, a pediatric dentist, live there, and spend their free time biking, kayaking and cooking.
A 1972 chemistry graduate of Williams College, then the DMD at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine in 1976 and a two-year postdoctoral certificate in prosthodontics in 1978. He taught prosthodontics at Harvard from 1978 to 1995, and has practised on Cape Cod since 1984.
Williams College · Harvard School of Dental Medicine
Born and raised in Marstons Mills. Chemistry and economics at Bowdoin, where he played hockey and lacrosse, then Tufts, magna cum laude, ninth of 160 and a member of Omicron Kappa Upsilon. He worked in private practice and in public health around Boston before coming home to practise with his father.
Bowdoin College · Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, 2010
Dr. Silva sees patients for exams and restorative care at Lewis Bay Road. In their Google reviews, patients name him for a thorough exam, for explaining everything, and for solving problems.
Dentistry in Hyannis, MA
From a routine filling to a complete set of teeth on implants, and a full range of removable dentures, under one roof on Lewis Bay Road.
A comprehensive exam that looks past the teeth to the muscles, joints and tissues around them, with an oral cancer screening at that visit and every one after it.
Tooth-coloured bonding or silver amalgam, whichever the tooth calls for, and ceramic inlays, onlays and crowns, many of them made chairside in a single appointment.
Prosthetic dentistry is Dr. Edward Nelson's specialty: crowns, bridges, implant-supported teeth and dentures, including complete dentures attached to implants for a more secure fit.
Veneers, bonding, whitening and Invisalign, planned around the smile you already have. A subtle change is often all it takes.
Thin shells of ceramic bonded to the front of the teeth, designed case by case to suit the smile they sit in. Kept clean, they resist coffee and tea stains and last well over a decade.
Tooth-coloured composite for chips, gaps and worn edges, and for fillings where silver would show.
Impressions are taken at any appointment, and your custom trays are ready to collect in a day or two, with the whitening gel to wear at home a few hours a day.
Clear aligners, each set worn for about two weeks, with a check-in here about every six. Treatment averages nine to fifteen months.
Advanced technology
The Drs. Nelson choose carefully when to take x-rays, following established guidelines. What the technology is for is finding problems early, and showing you them rather than describing them.
Smile gallery
Five cases from the practice’s own gallery, each photographed before and after treatment by one of the two Dr. Nelsons. Drag the handle to compare.
Porcelain veneers, Dr. Edward Nelson. Old bonding and veneers on the front teeth, replaced with new veneers.
New patients & visitors
Cape Cod is a holiday destination, and a trip home to your own dentist is not always possible. If you are in pain, every attempt is made to see you that day, and we will gladly coordinate with your regular dental office.
We are a fee-for-service practice. We bill your insurance company after treatment and work with you to get the most from your benefits. Most insurers respond in four to six weeks, and any remaining balance is due then.
We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. For treatment your budget is not quite ready for, CareCredit offers low monthly payment plans, arranged before treatment begins.
Please give us at least 48 hours if you need to reschedule. With many kinds of treatment in one office, an emergency can occasionally run us late. Thank you for your patience when it does.
5.0 out of 5 · 170+ Google reviews
★★★★★First visit as a new patient. Wow! Huge, beautiful office. Welcoming, professional and lovely staff. Dr Nelson was great as was my dental hygienist DeeAnn. SO thorough and their expertise is evident. Up to date technology. Apart from paying the fee (LOL) it was a great experience.Janice KInderGoogle review
★★★★★Nelson Dentistry is the absolute best! Everyone in the office from the reception to my dentist are top notch. Love my hygienist Kim, and Kim the dental assistant (there are 2 and both are wonderful) AND Dr. Silva is awesome! Really everyone I have interacted with at Nelson Dentistry is amazing! Highly recommend.Jodi HinckleyGoogle review
★★★★★Great first experience with Nelson Dentistry. The communication pre-visit is excellent, and they were able to get me in promptly for a first visit. The staff and Dr Nelson were all super friendly. And it's probably the nicest medical or dental office I've ever seen - very well decorated, spacious and relaxing.Jon LevittGoogle review
★★★★★I just had my routine cleaning and as always, the entire staff, including receptionists, dental hygienists and Dr. Andy Nelson provide the highest level of service one could ask for. The office is modern and clean and the front desk is a dory that's a tribute to Andrew Nelsons Mom. Its beautiful. I'd strongly recommend this practice to anyone that is receiving care elsewhere or looking for a new practitioner. I've already referred many new patients!Hyannis GuyGoogle review
★★★★★The staff and Dr. Silva and Kim are outstanding , Dr. Silva solves problems he has solved some doozies with me ! He is up for any challengeJim CurtissGoogle review
Common questions
We are a fee-for-service practice, and we bill your insurance company for you after treatment. Most insurers pay within four to six weeks, and any balance is due once they have. Bring your insurance details to your first appointment, or call us on (508) 428-3744 to talk your coverage through.
Yes. A dental emergency on a beach day is common here, and a trip home to your own dentist is often not possible. Call us: every attempt is made to see someone in pain that day, and we will coordinate with your regular dental office.
We recommend a comprehensive exam with the doctor before your first cleaning. It starts with your medical history, then a head, neck and intra-oral exam, an oral cancer screening, x-rays as needed and a gum check, and ends with your diagnosis and your options explained. Anyone under 18 needs a parent or guardian with them.
Often, yes. With CEREC the tooth is scanned, the crown is designed on screen and milled from a ceramic block in about 10 to 20 minutes, then bonded the same day. Not every tooth qualifies, and the doctor decides after a clinical and x-ray exam. A conventional crown or bridge takes two or three appointments.
Children's dental care is shared with Cape Cod Pediatric Dentistry, founded in 2015 by Dr. Amy Fugate, a pediatric dentist, at the Lewis Bay Condominiums on Hyannis Harbor.
The implant itself is placed in the jawbone by a periodontist or an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, and the teeth on top are designed and fitted here. When a case needs a specialist, we work with them and keep you informed at every step.
Give your bite a few days to feel normal, and call if anything still feels high. Some hot and cold sensitivity is normal, and warm salt-water rinses help sore gums. Avoid very hard or sticky foods, and if you grind at night, ask about a nightguard. We make them here.
At least 48 hours, please, and we will find you a time that suits you better.
Visit us
Hours as listed on Google. Please call to confirm.
Our scheduling coordinator will be in touch. If you are in pain, please phone instead. This form is for scheduling only: please do not send private health information through it.