Patients from New Braunfels and the surrounding Comal County communities — Gruene, Canyon Lake, and Seguin included — regularly make the 25 to 30 minute drive down IH-35 South for implant care that isn’t available closer to home. That trip is worth understanding before you commit to it, so here’s what dental implant treatment actually looks like at Olympia Hills Family Dental.
Dr. Hafen has been an AAID Certified Implant Dentist since 2010, which means every stage of your treatment — consultation, surgical placement, and the final restoration — happens with the same provider instead of being split across multiple referrals.
How Dental Implants Compare to Bridges and Dentures
Traditional bridges require grinding down the healthy teeth on either side of the gap to anchor a replacement, and removable dentures rest on the gum line without addressing the bone loss that follows tooth loss. Implants take a different approach: a titanium post replaces the root itself, which is what allows an implant to preserve jawbone density in a way bridges and dentures cannot.
For New Braunfels patients weighing their options, this is often the deciding factor — implants tend to protect the surrounding teeth and facial structure over the long run, rather than just filling a visible gap.
The Timeline: From Placement to Final Crown
Implant treatment happens in stages, not in a single visit. After the titanium post is surgically placed, it needs several months to fuse with the jawbone through a process called osseointegration — this is what gives an implant its stability. Once that healing is confirmed, an abutment is attached and your permanent zirconia crown is placed and color-matched to your surrounding teeth.
Patients missing multiple teeth or an entire arch may instead be candidates for our Secure Smiles All-on-4 program, which can shorten the overall timeline by anchoring a full arch of teeth on just four implants.
Who We Treat for Implants From the New Braunfels Area
We see implant patients ranging from adults missing a single tooth after an injury to seniors dealing with years of accumulated tooth loss. Many arrive after being told by a general dentist that their case needs a specialist — because Dr. Hafen handles placement and restoration in-house, New Braunfels patients typically avoid being bounced between an oral surgeon and a separate restorative dentist.
Protecting Your Investment: Long-Term Implant Care
An implant crown itself can’t decay, but the gum and bone supporting it still need attention. Brushing, flossing around the implant, and keeping up with regular cleanings at Olympia Hills lets us monitor that foundation over time. With proper care, implants routinely last 25 years or longer — often outlasting other restorative work entirely.
Schedule an Implant Consultation From New Braunfels
Call (210) 658-3131 or complete our new patient forms online to get started. Our 24/7 live answering service means you can reach a real person to schedule your implant consultation any time, and Dr. Hafen will walk you through a treatment plan built around your specific case.