With over 100 years of combined experience in the field of oral care, Dr. Eric K. Taylor, DDS of Rochester Hills and his staff believe that oral health is the gateway to overall body wellness. In other words, if one wants a healthy body, they believe that he or she needs to start with a healthy mouth.
“Teeth are really like a circuit board in that each organ is connected to a tooth,” Dr. Taylor’s wife and office manager Donna Taylor said.
Whether a patient has missing teeth or teeth that are not functioning well or are deficient, his advanced training gives him the ability to create optimal oral health for them not only in terms of function but also appearance.
Dr. Taylor obtained his bachelor’s degree and DDS from the University of Detroit Mercy. After having the opportunity to practice general dentistry for 11 years, he attended the University of Florida and became a board certified periodontist and diplomate of The American Board of Periodontology. He now has more than 30 years of experience in surgically placing dental implants, specifically metal-free zirconia ones, allowing patients to have properly functioning teeth for a higher quality of life.
“We’re the only office in Michigan that is trained and qualified to place these Z-Systems zirconia implants,” Dr. Taylor said. “We use solid, one-piece implants that are much stronger than titanium. And the tissue loves them. Plaque doesn’t adhere much to them at all.”
Education continues to be extremely important to Dr. Taylor, who not only stays current on the latest technology like the aforementioned ceramic metal-free implants, laser advancements, grafting refinements, computer updates and more but also requires that his staff is also up to date on the latest in dental techniques and innovations, as well.
“We have regular training,” Donna Taylor explained. “And sometimes we do out of state training. We’re always learning. We can hardly keep up with Dr. Taylor’s training and his energy.”
Dr. Taylor said his office has always been on the cutting edge as far as technology goes. In fact, they offer i-Cat 3D Cone Beam Imaging, which has very little radiation and allows the staff to diagnose more thoroughly and confidently as it shows much more than a 2D radiograph, as well as four, high-quality lasers that not only can be effective in treating disease or inflammation of the gum and bone around an implant but are more precise, reducing healing time after surgical procedures.
“We believe they are the most advanced lasers in existence today,” Dr. Taylor said. “We don’t have any incisions, there’s no sutures, the healing is wonderful and the lasers kill the bacteria much more effectively than any other means out there.”
Dr. Taylor and his staff want their patients to have very relaxed, pain-free and comfortable procedures, so not only do they provide IV conscious sedation, but acupuncture is also available to help patients relax. To ensure patients’ safety, however, Dr. Taylor’s office does have a registered nurse on staff (Donna Taylor). Both the nurse and the doctor have been certified by the American Heart Association in advanced cardiac life support for the past 20 years. Vitamin therapy is also offered in the office.
“We’re really proud of our staff,” Donna Taylor said. “Everyone is very caring. Every patient coming through that door is welcome as a person and not a number and not a procedure. We want them to feel comfortable, safe and educated in a very non-traumatic environment.”
Dr. Taylor cannot emphasize enough just how important oral care is at home, too. In fact, if a patient has periodontal disease, he recommends visiting a hygienist every three months versus every six.
“And while they’re there, they need to be learning as much as they can from the hygienist,” he added. “If they don’t learn how to remove it themselves, they’ll be in the same boat, if not worse.”
Dr. Taylor and his staff recommend using an ultrasonic toothbrush since it can reduce plaque and periodontitis; reading toothpaste labels and avoiding ones that contain fluoride, sodium lauryl sulfate, triclosan and sodium hydroxide; purchasing flosses made of biodegradable silk or bamboo; and making a warm salt water mixture to avoid the possibility of getting throat cancer from the use of alcohol-filled mouthwashes.
Dr. Taylor’s office is located in the Rochester Medical Village at 455 South Livernois in Rochester Hills and is open Tuesdays through Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (248)-652-7300.