Conversations with Pooja Mehta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Pooja Mehta.

Hi Pooja, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I feel like I was the late bloomer in comparison to my friends and colleagues when it came to finding my passion for dentistry. It all started at the University of Texas at Austin (Hook ‘Em Horns!), Ended up doing the usual path to get into any healthcare related graduate school. Applied everywhere and eventually got accepted into the Western University of Health Sciences in California. (Will never forget my acceptance phone call from Dr. Turchi — actually think I have the VM saved lol). Those years were definitely the most pivotal years of my life. Graduated during Covid (that was fun) and last minute ended up doing an AEGD residency in Albany, GA. Moved my while life and my dog for this program but immediately moved back to california once I graduated. That’s where I learned my strong oral surgery skill set and my passion for anything oral surgery related.

Started at an office and company I honestly thought myself growing with but then I finally took a leap of faith and left. It was terrifying but that’s how I got to be on my own(ish) and start falling back in love with dentistry

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I wouldn’t describe the road as smooth, but I would describe it as deeply intentional. In cosmetic and implant dentistry, the ‘road’ is paved with constant evolution. My biggest struggle hasn’t been the clinical work itself, but the steep learning curves required to stay at the leading edge. Transitioning to a fully digital workflow, for example, required a complete overhaul of our systems—learning new CAD/CAM softwares, mastering guided surgery protocols, and vetting new restorative materials like high-translucency zirconias or lithium disilicates.

There were moments where implementing a new system slowed us down temporarily, or a specific material didn’t handle exactly how the manufacturer promised. However, I chose to lean into those struggles because I refused to provide ‘yesterday’s dentistry.’ These hurdles forced me to become more than just a clinician; they made me a lifelong student and a systems architect. Today, those ‘struggles’ are the reason my practice can offer the precision and aesthetic predictability that our patients expect.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a cosmetic and implant-driven dentist, which means my daily work is dedicated to the total oral rehabilitation of my patients. I specialize in bridging the gap between functional health and high-end aesthetics. While many focus on one or the other, my practice is built on the philosophy that a beautiful smile is only as good as the foundation supporting it—specifically through advanced implantology and biomimetic restorative techniques.

In the professional community and among my patients, I’m known for meticulous predictability. Whether it’s a single-unit implant in the aesthetic zone (or an implant to restore function) or a full-mouth reconstruction, I am known for using a heavy digital workflow—CAD/CAM, 3D imaging, and guided surgery—to ensure that the final result looks natural and lasts for decades.

I am most proud of the ‘reveal’ moments, but more specifically, the cases where I’ve restored a patient’s dignity. I recently completed a full mouth rehabilitation case which involved full mouth extractions and implants for a patient who hadn’t smiled in years. Seeing their personality change as their oral health was restored is why I invested so heavily in the learning curves of this profession.

What truly sets me apart is my refusal to plateau. The dental field moves fast, and I’ve differentiated myself by being an early adopter of new materials and systems. While others might stick to traditional methods because they are ‘comfortable,’ I’ve spent my career mastering the newest techniques in bone grafting and porcelain artistry. I don’t just provide a service; I provide a high-tech, high-empathy experience that treats the patient, not just the tooth.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Looking back, I was a unique mix of a meticulous builder and an artist. Personality-wise: I was always very focused and observant. I was the type of kid who wouldn’t just play with a toy; I wanted to take it apart to see how the gears worked, and then put it back together perfectly. I had a lot of patience for tasks that required fine motor skills—I enjoyed the process of getting something ‘just right.’

Interest-wise: I gravitated toward two very different worlds:

The Creative: I loved anything that involved hand-eye coordination and aesthetics, whether that was drawing, painting, or detailed model building. I had an eye for symmetry and color from a young age.

The Technical: I was fascinated by science and structure. I liked understanding how things were built from the ground up to be strong and functional.

How it connects to today: I realize now that my childhood interests were essentially a ‘pre-residency’ for what I do now. In cosmetic and implant dentistry, you have to be part engineer and part artist. You need the structural understanding to place an implant correctly and the artistic eye to make a porcelain veneer look like a natural tooth. That drive to combine form and function has been part of my personality for as long as I can remember.

Does this tie into me definitely being a nerd? haha

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.poojamehtadmd.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/drpooj.mehta
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581234443362
• Other: https://linktr.ee/drpooj.mehta