Dental implants have health benefits

By Patricia Nugent

The ancient Mayans experimented with tooth replacement by using carved stones, seashells or bone fragments. 

Thankfully, the technology has come a long way since then.

Dr. Nathaniel Taylor, founder of North Royalton Family Dental, has been offering this service since 2010, after completing implantology training in Chicago. We caught up with him to find out more.

Q: Who is a candidate for dental implants and what does the procedure entail?
A: Most patients are candidates for implants. However, there are some relative contraindications. Some of these situations include patients who have undergone radiation treatment to the head or neck, patients with active periodontal disease present or patients who have not finished growing. 

There are also times when there is insufficient healthy jawbone and an augmentation procedure must be completed prior to implant placement. 

In most situations, three treatment visits are required. During the first visit, any remaining tooth is removed and the implant is placed. The site is left to heal for four to five months, during which time the patient wears a temporary tooth replacement. At the second visit, a mold is taken to allow for creation of the tooth that will attach to the implant. Then, at the final visit, the tooth is attached to the implant.  

This service can benefit a large number of my patients. Not only can dental implants restore missing natural teeth, but they can be used to help support and retain dentures. This provides a greatly-improved denture experience, allowing most people to chew their food more comfortably and efficiently. 

If you would like to know more about implant technology or whether you are a candidate for dental implants, please contact Dr. Taylor for a consultation. North Royalton Family Dental is located at 6391 Royalton Road in North Royalton. Call 440-457-1221 or visit NorthRoyaltonFamilyDental.com.