Thanks to genetics, Ronald Swintek has had problems with his teeth for decades. “My teeth were very soft,” he says. “Some were cracked, and I was missing a lot of them because they had to be pulled. It’s a hereditary thing; my mom was the same way and so was my grandmother.”

For quite some time, Ronald says, he took steps to draw attention away from his smile. “I grew a mustache and a beard to hide my teeth. They were just deplorable and I really couldn’t smile very well. My wife had been wanting me to get something done for a while now.”

Though he has been seeing the same dentist for many years, Ronald admits that he would go to the office only when he had a problem. “Dr. Patel always took care of my problems swiftly, but we never got into what I was going to do someday to fix my entire mouth,” he shares. “About a year and a half ago, however, when I was having some issues with my front teeth, which were capped, he said, I’ve got to tell you, it’s time for you to either consider dentures or some other option .

“He gave me three or four possible avenues, and I decided that at this point in my life, I could do it.”

Comprehensive care

A board-certified general dentist with advanced training in implant dentistry and conscious sedation, Rajiv Patel, BDS, MDS, believes in a comprehensive approach to patient care that includes thorough examinations, detailed education, and all aspects of dental, periodontal, and surgical treatment. “Rather than working in a piecemeal fashion, we provide everything for our patients,” Dr. Patel informs. “We handle it all, from routine checkups and cleanings to fillings, crowns, root canals, periodontics, dentures, implants, sedation techniques, oral and reconstructive surgery, and soft tissue plastic surgeries.”

With their combination of advanced training and leading-edge technology, the staff at Deland Implant Dentistry works to achieve patient satisfaction at every level. “Our brand-new office offers computerized charting, digital x-rays, a three-dimensional cone beam CT scanner, and computerized bite analysis instruments and equipment,” Dr. Patel says. “Our goal is to create a comfortable environment in which patients are able to have extensive treatment done in the least amount of time. I really enjoy helping my patients work on their dental challenges and seeing their satisfaction after we are done.”

To help Ronald achieve his goals, the doctor and his staff began with a comprehensive exam followed by the creation of a treatment plan. “Ronald came to us with a desire to be cavity-free, as well as wanting a better smile,” Dr. Patel recalls. “We talked about several different options, ranging from total extraction and implant-supported dentures to saving the teeth. We wanted to restore his mouth, keeping as many of his teeth as we could and restoring the rest with dental implants.”

A synthetic metal substitute for the tooth root, to which an artificial tooth is attached, dental implants may be used to replace a single tooth or several missing teeth, as well as to provide additional support for dental appliances like partial or complete dentures, Dr. Patel explains. Though the process can take some time to complete, depending upon each patient’s needs, the results are well worth it, he notes. “Now that we are finished, Ronald is one happy guy.”

And once the treatment plan is agreed upon, the doctor adds, fees include all procedures necessary to reach the desired outcome. “In Ronald’s case, a couple of his implants failed, so we had to go back and retrieve them, do some surgical correction and bone grafting, and then, after a few months, replace the implants. There was no additional cost, however, because once we decide on a treatment option, we do anything and everything to follow the plan.”

“I don’t hide my teeth anymore”

These days, Ronald admits that he is definitely smiling more. “I’m an outgoing guy who sells cars for a living, so I talk to people all the time,” he says. “But now I don’t try to hide my teeth anymore, and I do often find myself doing things to interact with people, like going out to dinner more.”

One of the biggest fans of his new smile, Ronald reveals, is his wife. “She loves it. She thinks it’s just great. Dr. Patel transformed my mouth, and it was worth all the time and effort for these results.”

That time and effort, he stresses, was definitely minimized due to the skill and caring of his doctor. “I have never met a dentist that cares as much about his patients as Dr. Patel does. He goes out of his way to do the little things that make you happier and more comfortable.”

One such gesture, Ronald shares, is a phone call on the day following a procedure. “He’ll call and say, I’m just checking to see how you are. You have my cell phone number; call me if you need me. I’ve never had a doctor do that.”

Another rare, and wholly appreciated, gesture is the sincere respect Dr. Patel and his staff have for their patients’ time. “He never makes you sit in the office,” Ronald says. “He always takes me in right on time. When I leave work and tell the guys, I’m going to be an hour and a half, I’m back in an hour and a half . That’s important. It shows respect for what I do.”

His transformation complete, Ronald wouldn’t change a thing about his smile or his doctor. “Implants are the way to go because they make you feel like you’ve got your regular teeth back,” he asserts. “Dr. Patel did his best work, and now I’ve got a great smile. He’s a very good man, not just as a dentist but as a person. That’s kind of hard to find nowadays.”

FHCN - Brenda Klettke