Missing teeth can make you self-conscious about your smile and affect your speech and chewing efficiency. No other tooth replacement option looks, functions, or feels better than a dental implant. In San Antonio, Dr. Gilberto Tostado and Dr. Karina Acuña have received advanced training that offers you the convenience of high-quality dental implant placement and restoration in one location. You’ll have a healthy, functional, beautiful smile that looks natural.
What Is a Dental Implant?
Dental implant
A dental implant is a screw-shaped substitute tooth root used to replace a missing tooth. Implant components include the root form, a connector (abutment), and a ceramic crown. The root form fuses with your jawbone to support a dental crown. Therefore, a dental implant looks, feels, and functions almost like a natural tooth.
Dr. Tostado and Dr. Acuña use Straumann® dental implants for predictable, high-quality tooth replacement. Read our Straumann dental implants page for details.
What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?
The benefits of dental implants include improved function, oral health, and facial appearance.
Stimulate jawbone
Dental implants stimulate the jawbone like natural tooth roots and maintain your smile’s height and shape. When teeth and their roots are gone, the bone begins to dissolve, and your body uses the bone’s minerals elsewhere. Dental implants stop jawbone resorption.
Prevent facial collapse
Facial collapse is a caved-in or sunken look as your jawbone resorbs from a lack of teeth. Dental implants stop facial collapse because the artificial tooth roots stimulate the bone and prevent premature facial sagging.
Improve function and your smile
Dental implants fill the gaps from missing teeth, improving your ability to speak clearly, chew well, and digest food properly. You will be able to smile with confidence.
What Is The Dental Implant Process?
The dental implant process begins with a consultation. You will meet with Dr. Tostado or Dr. Acuña to find out if you are a candidate for dental implants. They will answer your questions and explain what you can expect during your procedure. Dr. Acuña performs the implant surgery, saving you a trip to an oral surgeon, and Dr. Tostado crafts custom restorations in our on-site lab. Dr. Acuña will also explain your options for sedation to relieve anxiety during the procedure.
Dr. Acuña’s process for dental implant placement includes the following:
- Use a 3-D cone beam CT scan for accurate, thorough diagnosis
- Use computer-guided technology to produce a custom surgical guide for precise implant placement and angle
- Surgically place the implant(s) in your jawbone
- Stitch the gum tissue over the implant and let it heal (osseointegration)
- After osseointegration is complete, expose the surgical site and attach an abutment, or connector, and allow your gums to heal around it
Dr. Tostado will then take impressions of your mouth to create a model on which he can craft your replacement tooth or teeth. He will then attach your implant crown, bridge, or denture to the implants.
Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants?
You will likely qualify for dental implants if you have good oral and overall health. If you have chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, under control, you can still qualify for dental implants. Implants are suitable for anyone regardless of age, except children whose jaws are still developing. You can determine whether implants are right for you by scheduling a comprehensive dental examination and evaluation.
Request a Dental Implants Consultation
Dr. Acuña received post-graduate training in oral surgery, including dental implant placement. As a prosthodontist, Dr. Tostado is an implant restoration specialist. You will receive high-quality implants from Dr. Acuña and custom-made restorations by Dr. Tostado, including crowns, bridges, or Teeth-in-a-Day, that he crafts in our on-site, full-service dental lab.
Call us or complete our Request an Appointment form to schedule a consultation with Dr. Tostado or Dr. Acuña.