Convenient Access from On Top of the World
For retirees who want a dentist near On Top of the World with real depth in implants and dentures, Pruitt Dentistry is roughly 21 minutes away by car. The practice sits in south-central Ocala, east of I-75, and much of its daily work is restoring and replacing teeth. Appointments begin at 8:00 AM, so a visit can be over before the late-morning heat sets in.
Starting on SW 80th Street in the middle of the community, drive east about two miles to SR 200 and follow it northeast for roughly four miles. Turn right onto SW 43rd Street Road, which becomes SW 42nd Street as it crosses I-75 and then SW 32nd Street. Turn left on SE 3rd Avenue (CR 475), and SW 1st Avenue and SE 29th Street take you to 2835 SE 3rd Ct, Ocala, FL 34471.
Plan on about 10.3 miles with no tolls; homes on the far west side of the community will add a few minutes. Save the office on Google Maps for the first trip. Nearby Stone Creek and Oak Run have their own pages.
A Restorative Practice Suited to On Top of the World Residents
On Top of the World is an age-restricted community in southwestern Marion County, about 11 miles southwest of Ocala. It was first counted as its own census-designated place in 2020 and stretches across roughly 17 square miles west of I-75, much of it on former cattle ranch land. The neighboring Liberty Triangle community shares the same SR 200 corridor.
The people who live in On Top of the World are, for the most part, well into retirement. The median age is in the early seventies, and roughly four in five residents are 65 or older. Most households are married couples, though a good share are older adults living on their own.
That profile shapes the dental work On Top of the World residents need. Teeth that have carried fillings and crowns for many years start to need repairs, gums recede, and some teeth reach the point where replacement makes more sense than another patch. A practice that focuses on crowns, implants, dentures and gum care fits that stage of life.
It also helps that the visits can be planned well in advance. Tuesday through Thursday the office is open from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM every week. Mondays and Fridays alternate on the same hours, and the front desk will tell you which one is open if that is the day you prefer.
Comfort counts as much as convenience. Longer restorative visits can feel tiring, so the pace in our chairs is deliberately unhurried, and you can pause at any point; just say stop, and we stop. For patients from On Top of the World who feel uneasy about dental work, nitrous oxide is available, and its relaxing effect fades soon after the mask comes off, so you can usually head home without a long wait.
What On Top of the World Residents Should Know About Teeth After 65
Older dental work does not last forever. Years of chewing pressure, temperature changes and grinding wear down fillings until there is not enough healthy tooth left for another patch. At that point a crown, which wraps the whole tooth and spreads biting forces over a sturdier surface, is often the better repair.
Gum health deserves the same attention. Receding gums expose root surfaces that are softer than enamel, and pockets around the teeth can deepen without much warning. Our doctors measure those pockets at each exam, and a periodontal cleaning can clear buildup below the gum line before it loosens a tooth.
When teeth are already missing, the choices are wider than they used to be. Implants can replace a single tooth or anchor a full denture so it does not slip, while a traditional denture remains a good option for many people. Our dental technology includes surgical guides that can help Dr. Pruitt plan an implant's position before placement day.
Plenty of daily life in On Top of the World stays close to home. Sholom Park, a 44-acre botanical garden with more than two miles of paved, accessible paths on SW 80th Avenue, and the expanded Freedom Public Library on SW 95th Street, which reopened in April 2026, are both close to home. Farther out, Ross Prairie State Forest covers more than 3,500 acres off SR 200.
Implants and Dentures from a Dentist Near On Top of the World
Dental Implants
A small titanium post fuses with the jawbone over three to six months and then carries a custom porcelain crown. Implants help protect the bone where a tooth is missing, and each case begins with a free consultation and an honest look at whether it is the right fit.
Dentures
Full dentures replace a whole upper or lower set, and partials fill gaps around healthy teeth. Implant-supported dentures add stability and need no adhesive. Certain dentures are produced with our in-office 3D printing.
Periodontal Cleanings
Receding or tender gums around older crowns call for more than a polish. Scaling and root planing works beneath the gum line, with the area numbed, and a shorter recall schedule afterward helps hold the gains.
Dental Crowns & Bridges
Crowns rebuild worn or cracked teeth and cap implants, and bridges replace missing teeth by anchoring to their neighbors. Each one is planned around your full bite, not just the single tooth.
Meet Your Ocala Dental Team
Restorative dentistry is the heart of Dr. Patrick Pruitt's work, and dentures in particular are his passion. A University of Florida College of Dentistry graduate, he places implants himself at the Ocala office he opened in 2019. Dr. Sydnie Costello, DMD, sees patients alongside him and is known for compassionate, personalized care.
Insurance & Financing
We work with a multitude of insurance providers, submit your claims and give you a detailed cost breakdown before treatment begins. Larger restorative plans can be split into monthly payments through Cherry, and checking your options does not require a hard credit check. Credit cards, cash and checks are all accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Pruitt Dentistry from On Top of the World, and how do I get there?
Expect about 10.3 miles and a 21-minute drive from SW 80th Street in the community. Take SW 80th Street east to SR 200, then SW 43rd Street Road and SW 42nd Street across I-75 to SW 32nd Street and SE 3rd Avenue. Residents choosing a dentist near On Top of the World will find the route has no tolls.
How long do dental implants last?
With proper care, implants can last many years, often a lifetime. The titanium post fuses with the jawbone over three to six months, and the porcelain crown on top takes the daily wear. Brushing, flossing and regular checkups keep the gums around an implant healthy, which matters as much as the implant itself.
Why do my dentures feel loose after a few years?
Because the mouth keeps changing. Where teeth are missing, the jawbone slowly shrinks, so a denture that fit well at first can start to slip. Relining or adjusting often restores the fit, and our dentists check it at regular checkups. If looseness keeps coming back, implant-supported dentures are another option worth discussing.
Will implant surgery hurt?
Most patients find it far more comfortable than they expected, because the area is numbed with local anesthesia before the post is placed. Dr. Pruitt's gentle approach makes a real difference. If you feel uneasy, nitrous oxide can help you relax, and the team explains each step before it happens so nothing comes as a surprise.
Will my dental insurance help pay for implants or dentures?
It depends on your plan, and we will find out for you. The office works with a multitude of insurance providers, files the claims and shows you a detailed breakdown of covered and out-of-pocket costs before treatment. If a balance remains, Cherry offers monthly payment plans without a hard credit check to see your options.
Schedule Your Visit from On Top of the World
Whether you need a single crown or a full denture, a dentist near On Top of the World is just a short drive up SR 200; call 352-389-4054 to book. Browse all our communities on the Areas We Serve page, or head to the Dentist Ocala, FL homepage to learn about the practice.