Dental Implants in Flint, MI
Replace missing teeth with stable, natural-looking implants that restore your bite and confidence.
What are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a titanium post placed directly into your jawbone where a tooth root once was. Once it fuses with the surrounding bone over a few months, it becomes a permanent anchor for a custom crown, bridge, or other restoration. The result looks, feels, and functions like a natural tooth, including the way it absorbs bite force and keeps the bone beneath it healthy.
At C. Patrick Gray, DDS. in Flint, MI, dental implants are one of our most commonly requested treatments. Patients choose them because they don't rely on neighboring teeth for support, they don't come out at night, and they can last decades with routine care. If you need a tooth removed before an implant, we can often plan both procedures together so you're not making extra trips.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants replace the full tooth, root and all, so the results feel natural and hold up over time.
Bite Down Without a Doubt
An implant anchors directly into your jawbone, just like a natural root. That connection handles real chewing force so you eat whatever you want without hesitation or holding back.
Your Jawbone Stays Strong
After a tooth is lost, the bone underneath starts to shrink. The titanium post acts like a root, pressing into the jaw with every bite and keeping bone density solid year after year.
A Fix That Lasts Decades
Most dental implants last decades with routine care. There is no adhesive to reapply, no framework to reline, and nothing that needs replacing as long as the surrounding bone stays healthy.
Bite Down Without a Doubt
An implant anchors directly into your jawbone, just like a natural root. That connection handles real chewing force so you eat whatever you want without hesitation or holding back.
Your Jawbone Stays Strong
After a tooth is lost, the bone underneath starts to shrink. The titanium post acts like a root, pressing into the jaw with every bite and keeping bone density solid year after year.
A Fix That Lasts Decades
Most dental implants last decades with routine care. There is no adhesive to reapply, no framework to reline, and nothing that needs replacing as long as the surrounding bone stays healthy.
Who Benefits from Dental Implants?
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If you have a gap where a tooth used to be and you want something that stays put permanently, a dental implant is likely your best option. Unlike a bridge that requires shaping the teeth on either side, an implant stands on its own without affecting neighboring teeth. Adults of any age can be candidates, and most people with good general health qualify.
Patients come to us for implants after a tooth was extracted due to decay, injury, or gum disease. Some arrive after losing a tooth years ago and finally being ready to address the gap. Even if you have been missing a tooth for a long time, an implant may still be possible, though we sometimes recommend bone grafting first to rebuild the area if bone has shrunk in the interim.
Advanced Dental Implants Technology
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Before placing any implant, we take a cone beam CT scan that builds a 3D model of your jaw. This gives us bone density readings, nerve position, and sinus clearance in dimensions a standard x-ray cannot show. From that model, we design a surgical guide that directs the implant drill to the exact angle and depth planned in software, so placement is precise and predictable.
The implants themselves are made from medical-grade titanium, which is biocompatible and bonds with bone reliably over time. The custom crown that attaches afterward is designed digitally to match your surrounding teeth in shade, shape, and bite. Digital impressions replace the old putty trays, so the process is faster and more comfortable from start to finish.
What to Expect During Your Visit
We start by numbing the area so you feel pressure but no pain. Once you're settled, we make a small opening in the gum tissue and place the titanium post precisely into the jawbone. Most placements take about an hour. A protective cover is placed over the post while it heals, and the gum tissue closes around it naturally.
Over the next three to six months, the post fuses with the surrounding bone in a process called osseointegration. Once that bond is solid, we attach an abutment and take impressions for your custom crown. Most patients tell us the implant appointment felt easier than they expected, and the end result is a tooth they forget isn't real.
Before Appointment
Eat a solid meal two hours before your implant appointment, since you won't be able to chew normally for the rest of the day.
Bring a list of every medication and supplement you take, especially blood thinners, so we can plan your implant placement safely.
Arrange a ride home ahead of time if sedation is part of your implant visit, because you won't be cleared to drive afterward.
After Appointment
Rinse gently with warm salt water starting the day after surgery, three to four times daily, to keep the implant site clean.
Hold off on crunchy or chewy foods for at least a week so the implant can begin fusing with the bone without extra pressure.
Skip brushing directly over the surgical area for the first few days. Clean the rest of your teeth normally and let the site heal.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve answered the most frequently asked questions to help you feel informed, prepared, and confident before your appointment.
How long do dental implants typically last?
+Most dental implants last 25 years or longer. The titanium post fuses permanently with your jawbone, so the foundation is built to stay. The crown on top may need replacing after 15 to 20 years due to normal wear.
Can I get dental implants if I have bone loss in my jaw?
+Often, yes. We evaluate your bone density with a 3D scan first. If the jaw has thinned, a bone graft can rebuild the area over a few months so the site is strong enough to support an implant long term.
How do dental implants compare to a bridge?
+A bridge relies on neighboring teeth for support, which means those teeth need reshaping. An implant stands on its own post and leaves surrounding teeth untouched. Implants also stimulate the jawbone, which a bridge cannot do.
Will a dental implant feel different from a natural tooth when I eat?
+Most patients say they forget which tooth is the implant after a few weeks. You can bite into apples, chew steak, and eat corn on the cob. The implant transfers force to the jawbone just like a natural root does.
Is there an age limit for getting dental implants?
+There is no upper age limit. We place implants for patients well into their 80s as long as overall health supports minor oral surgery. The main requirement is adequate bone density and healthy gum tissue, not a specific birthday.
What Our Patients Say
Hear from real patients about their experience at C. Patrick Gray, DDS.
This office genuinely cares about their patients. I came in anxious and left feeling completely at ease. Everyone from the front desk to the hygienist to Dr. Kroni was warm, professional, and thorough. The office is clean and modern and I never felt like I was being rushed or oversold on anything. Five stars without hesitation.
Crystal H.
Had my wisdom teeth removed here and honestly it was way less stressful than I expected. The team checked in on me throughout the whole procedure and made sure I was comfortable before they started. Dr. Khaddor was calm and efficient and recovery was smooth. Really glad I chose C. Patrick Gray, DDS.
Kayla S.
C. Patrick Gray, DDS. was the first dentist office I have been to that actually took the time to listen. I have always been anxious about dental work and Dr. Kroni was so patient with me every step of the way. He saved two teeth other dentists told me to pull. I walked out with my confidence back. Cannot recommend them enough.
Melissa P.
I love that I can get everything done in one place. Had a cleaning, a filling, and a whitening consultation all within a few weeks without being shuffled around. Dr. Khaddor is genuinely one of the best dentists I have ever had. The whole team is warm and the office feels really welcoming.
Simone R.
I have been coming to C. Patrick Gray, DDS. for two years now and the consistency is what keeps me coming back. Same friendly faces, same thorough exams, and they always remember details from my last visit. Dr. Kroni is professional, knowledgeable, and never makes me feel rushed. Great practice.
Joshua A.
Switched to C. Patrick Gray, DDS. after moving to the Flint area and I am so glad I did. They went over my insurance up front so there were no surprises, and Dr. Kroni took the time to actually listen to my concerns instead of rushing through. Highly recommend if you are looking for a dentist who treats you like a person.
Sarah F.
Brought my two kids in for their first cleanings and the staff was wonderful with both of them. They explained each step so the kids knew what was coming and made the whole thing feel like a fun trip rather than a dental appointment. The office is clean, easy to find on Beecher Rd, and we always get in right on time.
Hubert H.
I had been putting off a crown for months because I was nervous. Dr. Khaddor took the time to explain everything before we started and made sure I was comfortable the entire time. The result looks completely natural and I have had zero issues since. I appreciate how honest the team is about what you actually need.
Jill J.
Dr. Kroni and Dr. Khaddor make every visit feel easy. They walked me through my treatment options without any pressure and answered every question I had. The whole team is friendly and the office runs on time. My family has been coming here for years and we would not go anywhere else.
Aaron D.
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Schedule Your Appointment
Ready to take the next step? Contact C. Patrick Gray, DDS. in Flint to book your visit.
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When You Can Visit
Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
- (810) 732-0200
Speak With Our Team
- G3222 Beecher Rd, Flint, MI 48532
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