You might forget you’ve walked into a dental suite when you notice the velvet chairs and brass accents of Dr. Carlos Mendigutia’s decor.
Mendigutia has an eye for design, and that includes using the latest high-tech tools which help him to be as precise as possible when designing implants for patients.
“I have to have the best of everything, because I love what I do,” Mendigutia, 46, said in early November from his new office at 6602 Main St.
An implant is a surgical installation of an artificial tooth root that looks like a screw.
Mendigutia is passionate about implant dentistry because it “provides a reliable, long lasting solution for tooth replacement.
“Tooth loss can influence how you look and feel, and more importantly it has a big impact on what foods you can eat and your general health and well-being,” he said.
In practice since 2005, Mendigutia graduated from Florida International University with a bachelor’s degree in science.
He studied dentistry in East Central University in the Dominican Republic and obtained a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Chicago, where he also did his residency, he said.
In 2013, Mendigutia became a fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.
Mendigutia began his career at the Hialeah dental office of his uncle, Dr. Jose Mendigutia.
While seeing patients in Hialeah, Mendigutia set another goal for himself.
“This has always been a dream of mine, to be able to open my own practice,’ Mendigutia said.
He chose the new 6600 Main development because he’s always lived in the area and loves Miami Lakes.
“It’s a fantastic neighborhood,” he said.
Aside from regular cleanings, root canals and extractions, Mendigutia specializes in creating implants and said he has dedicated the past eight years to learning the techniques.
Mendigutia uses a three-dimensional CT scanner, which reveals a patient’s bone structure and the location of their nerves.
“Once you’ve captured the image you can view the skull on a large screen and virtually install an implant,” Mendigutia said.
The scan helps to ensure a proper fit and comfort for his patients, who are able to see how an implant will fit inside their mouths.
“I will always continue learning,” he said.