Wakarusa Drive is shaping up as a corridor of dental health.

Dr. Tom Rainbolt is spending $1.7 million for a new dental clinic and other office space near the corner of Wakarusa Drive and Bob Billings Parkway, the latest project angling to fill in development cavities along the city’s western edge.

Construction of the 13,000-square-foot building is expected to be finished in July, giving Rainbolt and his colleagues — Drs. John Wulfkuhle and Brian Dufner — time to move their operations to 1425 Wakarusa Drive by Aug. 1.

The dental practice will occupy about 4,100 square feet, leaving the rest open for lease by potential health-care operators, suppliers or other professionals looking for a home at the midpoint of Wakarusa’s two-mile stretch of retirement communities, doctor’s offices and bioscience operations.

Rainbolt, Wulfkuhle and Dufner already refer patients to periodontists, endodontists and orthodontists who have offices along Wakarusa Drive, and they’re eager to move in as professional neighbors.

“This is where we wanted to be,” said Rainbolt, who will be relocating the practice from 316 Maine, its home for more than 30 years.

Rainbolt said he was drawn to the site — nestled between buildings for UMB Bank and BG Consultants — because of its convenience, high visibility and potential for growth. With Lawrence continuing to expand west, he’s counting on adding up to 450 patients to his current list of 3,000 active patients.

“That’s conservative,” he said. “We’re hoping for more.”

The practice will continue with three dentists, he said, but likely will add one or two employees to its current staff of 13 dental assistants, hygienists and administrative employees. The new dental office will have 11 treatment chairs, up from the current six.