At First Impression Dental, dentistry is about far more than treating teeth-it is about building trust, creating long-term health, and helping patients feel confident in their care. We recently sat down with Dr. Brett Lent to talk about what inspired him to become a dentist, how he approaches treatment planning, and the moments that continue to make dentistry meaningful after years in practice.
A Lifelong Connection to Dentistry
For Dr. Lent, dentistry has been part of life from the very beginning.
"My dad was a dentist, and I grew up around it," he shared. "I actually saw an old yearbook from fifth grade the other day where everyone wrote what they wanted to be when they grew up. In the middle of all the other answers like movie star or athlete, mine said 'I want to go to UCLA, be a dentist, and be a dad.' "
That early goal, he says came from having a father he deeply admired.
"I guess I had a really great dad that I wanted to be like."
As he got older, his father encouraged him to make sure dentistry was truly his own path. Working as a dental assistant gave him that answer.
"I started working for him and really fell in love with the process-the patient interactions, meeting people over time, and seeing generations of families he helped."
A Personalized Philosophy of Care
When it comes to treating patients, Dr. Lent believes every person arrives with a unique story, set of expectations, and long-term goals.
"Every patient is unique. Them come with their own history, their own expectations, their own needs, and their own desires."
This is why his approach centers on comprehensive care and what he calls a risk reduction model.
"I tell patients everything I see that is going on in their mouth, and then we come up with a plan tailored to them to help minimize their risks as much as possible-not just now, but what is going to help keep them with their teeth for the rest of their lives."
Why Education Matters in Everyday Oral Health
One thing Dr. Lent wishes more patients understood is that prevention only works when people know exactly how to care for their teeth at home.
"There is such an array of what people know and what they have been told over time," he explained. "Some of the advice people have received over the years is surprising."
He believes vague instructions are rarely helpful.
"I have heard so many times that patients were simply told to 'do better,' which I think is one of the most ridiculous instructions possible."
Instead, the team at First Impression Dental focuses on specific education patients can actually apply daily.
"You might see us two, three, or four times a year, but the rest of the time you have to take care of yourself. Our job is to help people really understand the best way to do that."
Balancing Function, Health, and Aesthetics
For Dr. Lent, treatment planning always comes back to the patient's priorities-but function, health, and appearance should never be separated.
"All of this goes back to the patient and what their expectations are," he said.
Successful dentistry meals all three work together.
"We do not makes something that is purely functional if it looks ugly-that is not the goal. They all truly interplay with each other, but every patient's personal goals drive where we place our emphasis."
Why Orthodontics Often Plays an Important Role in Treatment Planning
Orthodontics, Dr. Lent says, is one of the most misunderstood tools in dentistry because many people think of it as cosmetic.
"Orthodontics is not just about the smile-that is actually one of my pet peeves because it is often marketed that way."
He explains that proper alignment directly impacts longevity.
"Teeth are supposed to line up a specific way and work together with the jaw. That is how everything fucntions better longer."
That is why orthodontics is often recommended even when esthetics are not the only goal.
"I call it the longevity tool. If everything lines up right-whether it is your natural tooth, a filling, a crown, or any restoration- it is all going to last longer."
The Reward of Complex Smile Transformations
Some of the most rewarding cases for Dr. Lent are the ones that require detailed planning and patience.
"I really like complicated cases. They are like a fun puzzle-helping the patient meet their goals."
He recalled one patient born without one of her front teeth who had spent years unhappy with an old bridge and unsure what was possible.
The treatment involved orthodontics, gum grafting with the specialist, and carefully coordinated restorative work over nearly 2 years.
"When we were finished, she walked out grinning and crying happy tears because we met her goal and exceeded it."
For Dr. Lent, those outcomes represent years of continued education and treatment planning coming together in a life-changing way.
The Moments That Matter Most
Sometimes the most meaningful moments happen in the quiet emotional victories patients experience at the end of treatment.
Dr. Lent recently described a woman in her 60s who had not smiled in years because of the condition of her teeth.
"She had been told before that all of her teeth needed to come out. Yesterday was her denture day-and she smiled for the first time in probably 20 years."
Her reaction was immediate.
"She started crying and smiling right away, which is what it is all about."
What Patients Remember Most
For Dr. Lent, the most important part of care is not only the dentistry itself, but how patients feel during the experience.
"We have meetings all the time as a staff, and I always say it is how we make them feel that truly matters."
That belief continues to shape the culture at First Impression Dental every day.
"Yes, you can get your teeth cleaned anywere, but if you walk out the door feeling like you were cared for, that is the most important aspect of care in my mind."
If you have questions about your oral health, treatment options, or long-term smile goals, our team at First Impression Dental is here to help guide you every step of the way.
