As a board-certified periodontist and dental implant surgeon in Venice, Florida, Dr. Lisa Turner has spent her career restoring far more than teeth. Through a blend of surgical precision, artistic intuition, and deeply human care, she helps patients reclaim confidence, function, and a renewed sense of self. At Venice Periodontics & Implant Dentistry, her work spans everything from saving natural teeth to delivering transformative full-arch implant solutions.
In this Ailm Atelier™ interview, Dr. Turner reflects on her personal journey into dentistry, the philosophy that guides her approach to treatment, and the profound ripple effects she has witnessed when patients finally feel comfortable smiling again.
Interviewer:
What inspired you to pursue periodontics and implant dentistry, and what continues to motivate you about helping patients restore their oral health and confidence?
Dr. Turner:
My path into dentistry is very personal. Like many people in healthcare, my motivation came from my own early experiences. As a child, I had significant crowding and a severe bite issue. When my teeth erupted around age ten or eleven, it was incredibly embarrassing for me. That is a time in life when confidence starts to matter, and I felt very self-conscious.
My parents did the best they could financially, but orthodontic care was not easily accessible for us. I ended up receiving treatment in a university setting, starting treatment at twelve and finishing at sixteen. The orthodontic treatment completely changed my life and gave me the confidence I never would have had otherwise.
I was also a very artistic child. I was accepted to art school at one point, and while my educational path ultimately shifted toward dentistry, that artistic foundation never left me. Dentistry, especially surgery, is incredibly artistic. It requires fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and an eye for detail, which are skills I had already developed through art, music, and photography.
Interviewer:
Periodontal and implant care go far beyond technical skill. How do you approach treatment planning in a way that considers both the physical and emotional aspects of each patient’s experience?
Dr. Turner:
The most important thing I do is listen. If you allow patients the space to talk, they will tell you exactly what their goals are and what matters most to them.
In periodontics, we restore health and function, but we are also addressing confidence, self-esteem, and quality of life. I see this most clearly in full-arch implant cases. These are patients whose dentition has failed, and they are standing at a fork in the road. When we restore their smile and their ability to chew, it is truly life-changing dentistry.
I have had multiple patients, especially women, return six months later having lost significant weight or undergone other aesthetic procedures. Once their smile is restored, their confidence returns, and they suddenly feel empowered to address other aspects of their lives.
That realization sparked my interest in expanding into regenerative and aesthetic care. I want patients to have access to treatments that support their well-being in a comprehensive way, using advanced technology that is minimally invasive but effective.
Interviewer:
If you could summarize your treatment philosophy into a few guiding principles, what would they be?
Dr. Turner:
Establishing realistic expectations is critical. Whether I am treating periodontal disease, placing implants, or addressing facial aesthetics, patients need to understand what is achievable. I am very transparent about outcomes. Research shows that some treatments result in partial improvement, not perfection, and patients deserve to know that upfront.
Education is just as important. When patients understand the science behind what we are doing and why, they feel empowered. That philosophy carries into every aspect of my work.
I am also deeply committed to using leading, scientifically based technology. In my periodontal practice, we have used regenerative therapies like platelet-rich fibrin for years, and that same regenerative mindset guides what we are building now. Whether it is dentistry or aesthetics, the foundation has to be evidence-based, ethical, and designed to support the body’s natural healing processes.
Interviewer:
Is there a patient story that stands out to you and reminds you why you chose this profession?
Dr. Turner:
One patient comes to mind immediately. She was undergoing full-arch implant treatment, and during that process, she gave me a children’s book she had written and published. In the book, she was the main character, a grandmother named Mimi, but she never showed her teeth in any of the illustrations.
Six to eight months later, after completing her hybrid dental treatment, she brought me a copy of her second book. This time, her character was smiling widely on every page.
That moment said everything. The transformation was not just clinical. It was deeply personal. She later chose to have a facelift as well, but it all began with restoring her smile. Seeing how profoundly that impacted her confidence and self-expression is something I will never forget. It is a reminder of how dentistry can change the trajectory of someone’s life in ways we do not always anticipate.
Interviewer:
Many people are unaware of how life-changing periodontal treatment and dental implants can be. What do you hope readers take away from your story and your approach to care?
Dr. Turner:
I hope readers understand that growth, both personal and professional, never stops. I am at a point in my career where I am excited to keep learning, to expand into new areas of healthcare, and to continue caring for people in a meaningful way.
Whether I am restoring natural teeth, rebuilding a smile with full-arch implants, or exploring regenerative and aesthetic therapies, the goal remains the same. I want to help people feel better, function better, and live more confidently.
Healthcare is ultimately about human beings. When you combine science, education, and genuine care, the impact can extend far beyond the treatment chair. That is what continues to inspire me, and what I hope readers take away from my story.
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