Dr. Justin J. Villanueva

I grew up in a dental family in the west suburbs of Chicago. I knew as a child that I was either going to be a dentist or join the army. In my first semester of college, 9/11 happened, so I put my schooling aside and enlisted into the U.S. Army. I spent three years in the army and was honorably medically discharged due to injuries I sustained while in combat. This put my dental career on hold for a while, but I was able to work in the dental field for about eight years before I was able to go to dental school. During that time, I married my junior high school sweetheart, Jaime, and we had two beautiful daughters, Rylan and Reese.

l attended Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine in Downers Grove, Illinois, my hometown! My wife and l also had our third child, our baby boy Roman. My father unexpectedly passed away in my final years of dental school, and I inherited his private practice office. I then came to Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis to complete my residency in periodontics. I’ve had the privilege and honor to travel and work with the greatest and most world-renowned dental implant surgeons and restorative specialists from Switzerland, Australia, Japan, Brazil, and, of course, the U.S.

During my residency, we had an unplanned Hoosier blessing, our most dramatic daughter, Raegan. We never thought we would leave our hometown and Chicago family, but the Indiana community has given us such a home feel that we decided to make our lives here. Jaime was a grade school teacher prior to having children, and she often says, “This is what a community is supposed to be like.”

I don't really have “free time,” but if I did, I imagine I would spend it with family, traveling and napping on the nicest beaches on earth. I'm an avid football fan. I do like the Colts, and while I probably shouldn't admit this, I'm a die-hard Chicago Bears fan, and that will not fade with time! The 2006 Super Bowl against the Colts still hurts a little, although I am glad Peyton Manning was able to get his ring here. I look forward to this next chapter of my life and the opportunity to serve this community for many years to come!