Dental implants replace a missing tooth from the root up. A small titanium post fuses to your jawbone, holds a natural-looking crown in place, and can dramatically reduce the bone loss that follows tooth loss.

At Olympia Hills Family Dental, Dr. Jerame Hafen has placed thousands of implants and teaches other dentists advanced implant techniques. Our team offers restorative dentistry for patients in Live Oak and across Northeast San Antonio.

What Are Dental Implants and How Do They Work?

A dental implant has three parts. The post sits in your jawbone like a natural tooth root, the abutment connects the post to your new tooth, and the crown is the part you see when you smile. For several missing teeth, the same posts can hold a bridge or a denture.

Your jawbone heals around the post in a process called osseointegration, which means the bone combines with the implant. That bond makes an implant feel steady when you chew and speak. The American Dental Association notes your overall health matters more than your age when you plan for an implant.

Why Choose Dental Implants Over Bridges or Dentures?

Dr. Hafen and our dentists recommend implants first because they protect the bone and the teeth around them. These are the main benefits of choosing an implant.

• Bone protection: The post sits in your jaw and can dramatically reduce bone loss, which helps keep your face shape.
• Healthy neighbors: A bridge needs the teeth beside the gap filed down, but an implant leaves them alone.
• No staining: Implants do not stain, so your new tooth stays bright.
• Steady bite: Implants stay in place when you eat and speak, unlike removable dentures that can slip.

A bridge is still an option when an implant does not fit your health needs, but we recommend an implant first. If you are missing most or all of your teeth, Secure Smile All-on-4 replaces a full arch with four to six implants.

What Happens During the Dental Implant Process?

Every implant follows the same four steps, and Dr. Hafen walks you through each one before we start. Healing takes the longest, so plan on about three to six months from your first visit to your final crown.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

Many adults with missing teeth can get implants. You need enough healthy jawbone to hold the post and healthy gums around it.

Health conditions and habits affect healing. Chronic illnesses such as diabetes can slow healing, and so can tobacco use. Tell us about your medications too, including bone density medicine, because they can change which option is safest for you. If you have bone loss, bone grafting can rebuild the area before an implant goes in. If your gums need treatment first, we can refer you to a periodontist.

Why Choose Olympia Hills Family Dental for Dental Implants?

You can plan your implant, place it, and restore it in one office. Our dental technology includes 3D imaging, which helps us choose the best spot for each post.

We offer sedation, custom crowns, and follow-up care under one roof, so you see the same team from your first visit to your final smile.

What Questions Do Patients Ask About Dental Implants?

These answers cover the questions patients often ask before an implant.

Schedule Your Dental Implant Visit at Olympia Hills Family Dental

Our practice opened in 1971, and Dr. Hafen and our dentists now help patients across Live Oak, Schertz, Cibolo, and Northeast San Antonio replace missing teeth with implants that look and feel natural. You get careful planning, sedation options, and custom crowns from one team.

Take the first step toward a steadier, more natural smile by scheduling a visit with our team through our contact form.