Our Providers

Biography

With a passion for innovation and patient-centered care, Dr. Marissa Gentle specializes in restoring smiles through the art and science of prosthodontics at Envision Dental Implant Center.

After earning her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree, she completed her advanced specialty training in prosthodontics at the University of North Carolina, where she gained extensive experience in full-arch implant rehabilitation, congenital anomalies, and maxillofacial prosthetics.

Dr. Gentle’s journey into prosthodontics began during dental school, where a mentorship experience sparked her interest in the life-changing impact of restorative care. She was drawn to the complexity, creativity, and human connection the specialty offers, especially in helping patients who have experienced trauma, cancer, or complex limitations due to their dentition. Her approach is deeply empathetic, blending clinical expertise with artistry to create personalized solutions to restore not just teeth—but confidence, comfort, and quality of life.

Passionate about innovation, Dr. Gentle embraces cutting-edge digital technology—including 3D printing, digital design, and photogrammetry—to enhance precision and outcomes in her work. From All-on-X surgeries to complex full-mouth reconstructions, she thrives on solving clinical challenges and delivering treatments that restore function and esthetics—transforming a patient’s ability to eat, speak, and smile with ease.

Beyond the clinic, Dr. Gentle is active in mentorship and community outreach. She is a proud member of the American Association for Women Dentists and Straumann’s Women in Implantology (WIN) network, where she supports leadership development for women in dentistry. She remains dedicated to improving access to care in underserved communities and looks forward to continuing her involvement in both clinical education and outreach initiatives.

In her downtime, Marissa enjoys spending time with her husband and their dog Kilo, being active and exploring new places — whether it’s hiking or cycling new trails, trying local restaurants, or planning travel adventures.

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Education

• MS in Oral Health Science—Boston Graduate Medical School
• Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD)—Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine
• MS in Prosthodontics—University of North Carolina

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Certifications

• Academic & Professional Leadership: Chief Resident in Graduate Prosthodontics at UNC Adams School of Dentistry (2022–Present)
• American College of Prosthodontists (ACP)
• Academy of Prosthodontics
• American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics
• American Dental Education Association (ADEA)
• American Association for Women Dentists (AAWD)
• International Team for Implantology (ITI)
• Women in Implantology (WIN) – Straumann
• Straumann Educational Speaker
• American Student Dental Association (ASDA)
• American Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Association (ACPA)

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Awards & Recognition

• Academy of Prosthodontics / ACP Poster Winner – May 2024
• 1st Author: “Analyzing ISFPD Creation Methods: Clinical Report”
• ACP 2024 Resident and Dental Student Poster Competition – 2nd Place

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Articles & Publications

1. 1st Author: In Vitro Wear Resistance of Conventional, Milled, and 3D-Printed Denture Teeth (under review to Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry)

2. 1st Author: Analyzing ISFPD Creation Methods (in progress)

3. 1st Author: A case report: Trichodentoosseous syndrome (TDO) (in progress)

3. Supporting Author: Digital Applications of Maxillofacial Reconstruction – A Systematic Review (Accepted in Journal of Advanced Dentistry)