How CCOFS & Envision Dental Implant Center Helped David and Marlene Move Forward
For David and Marlene, dental health has been a shared journey over time. Years of ongoing dental issues, anxiety, and temporary solutions affected how they experienced everyday life together. What began with David seeking a lasting solution would ultimately lead both of them to care at Envision Dental Implant Center and Carolinas Center for Oral & Facial Surgery in Charlotte, NC.
When Temporary Fixes Stop Working
David took good care of his teeth, but age and repeated dental work began to take their toll. His routine dental visits led to difficult conversations about failing restorations and limited options.
Over the years, David experienced a familiar cycle: new decay around existing dental work, recurring sensitivity, and yet another recommendation for a crown or bridge. Each visit felt like another patch rather than real progress.
“Every time I went to the dentist, it was either a root canal or a cap,” David says. “And even then, you still end up with decay.”
Eventually, his general dentist recognized that David’s needs had surpassed what routine dentistry could provide and referred him for a more comprehensive dental implant consultation.
A Restorative Dental Implant Plan with Dr. Hunter Dawson
David was referred to Dr. Hunter Dawson, a prosthodontist at Envision Dental Implant Center in Charlotte, NC. After a thorough evaluation and advanced imaging, it became clear that his upper teeth and existing bridgework were failing.
“David had years of dental treatment that had reached the end of its lifespan,” Dr. Dawson explains. “At that point, continuing to patch failing bridges only leads to more problems. What he needed was a comprehensive solution that addressed function, comfort, and longevity.”
Rather than recommending another series of isolated fixes, Dr. Dawson proposed a full-arch implant solution designed to restore David’s smile in a predictable and efficient way.
“We were able to remove the remaining teeth, place dental implants, and deliver a fixed prosthetic in a single day with our full arch restoration,” Dr. Dawson says. “Patients are able to be asleep throughout the process, go home to rest, and recover without prolonged gaps in function.”
David noticed the difference immediately, including a better fit and fewer day-to-day frustrations that used to come with failing bridgework.
Why Envision Was the Right Fit
What stood out to David was the coordination of care. In his experience, complex treatments often meant bouncing between multiple offices and providers. At Envision, his care was planned and delivered by Dr. Dawson and oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Peter Franco, working together in one location in Charlotte.
“We are a multi-specialty practice,” Dr. Dawson explains. “Prosthodontists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and anesthesiology support all work together in one location, which allows us to treat complex conditions in a coordinated, thoughtful way.”
The outcome, he notes, is not just a new set of teeth. It is a long-term shift away from chronic dental problems and the constant mental and financial load that comes with them.
One Success Becomes a Shared Decision
David’s outcome was noticed at home. As he regained stability and confidence with his restoration, Marlene began to see a path forward for herself.
Marlene had been living with advanced periodontal disease and significant dental anxiety. Sensitivity and gum issues affected her comfort and limited what she felt she could eat. Just as importantly, her anxiety made routine dental care feel overwhelming.
“Patients like Marlene often avoid care because of anxiety, and that avoidance can exacerbate the oral health issues they’re dealing with,” Dr. Dawson explains. “Our job is to create a comfortable environment, build trust, and then deliver a plan that is truly tailored to what the patient needs clinically and emotionally.”
Her treatment required careful planning and Dr. Dawson again partnered with oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Peter Franco. Because of bone loss from gum disease, her case also involved additional bone grafting to create a stable foundation for the dental implants.
A New Chapter for Marlene
With the support of both Envision and CCOFS teams, Marlene was able to move forward with treatment in a way that felt manageable. The process was structured, clearly explained, and designed around comfort.
“I trusted Dr. Dawson completely,” Marlene says. “And I had no issues at all.”
Over time, her experience in the office changed, too. What once felt intimidating became familiar and supportive, and the outcome gave her the ability to enjoy foods and everyday moments without constant sensitivity or worry.
A Life Changed for Both of Them
Today, David and Marlene share something they did not have before: peace of mind. For David, that meant stepping out of the cycle of recurring repairs and discomfort. For Marlene, it meant moving past years of anxiety and gum-related problems toward a healthier, more stable foundation.
“She smiles now,” David says. “That’s something I hadn’t seen in years.”
For their family, those changes show up in simple ways: meals that feel easy again, photos that feel natural, and fewer days shaped by dental concerns.
About Envision Dental Implant Center
Envision Dental Implant Center in Charlotte, NC, specializes in advanced dental implant and full arch restoration for patients with complex needs. With a multi-specialty team that includes prosthodontists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and anesthesiology support, Envision provides personalized care designed to restore function, confidence, and quality of life.
If you are living with chronic dental problems, Carolinas Center for Oral & Facial Surgery and Envision Dental Implant Center are here to help you take the next step forward.