For over 30 years, Wrightsville Dental has helped patients improve their oral health and achieve beautiful smiles. We offer a full range of dental services to meet your needs, including Invisalign clear aligners, dental implants and same-day dental crowns, and we will work one-on-one with you to help you achieve your smile goals and enjoy all the benefits of excellent oral health.

Dr. James A. Gainer is a general dentist with years of training and experience in a vast array of dental procedures. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland Dental School, one of the best schools in the country. Since graduating with his DDS degree in 1984, he has performed general dentistry while continuing his education with several postgraduate courses in different fields of dentistry. Dr. Gainer provided caring and precise dental care at his former practice in Lexington Park, Maryland, from 1992 until selling his practice to relocate to North Carolina in 2011. Since February 14, 2011, Dr. Gainer has been providing the residents of Wilmington, North Carolina, with the same great dental care.

Dr. Gainer emphasizes the comfort of each individual and is thorough in explaining his procedures to further ease his patients. His approach to your treatment begins with patiently listening to your concerns. After a complete examination, he reviews and discusses the diagnosis and treatment options with you. He realizes the importance of staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in dentistry and continues his education accordingly. This continued development enables him to provide his patients with the best quality of care in the field. Dr. Gainer has a wide range of experience in several different areas of dentistry, from cosmetic and restorative dentistry to root canals and implant crowns. He is considered a preferred Invisalign dentist and is able to straighten the whole familys teeth without the discomfort or bulky appearance of braces.

Dr. Yulia Paterson joined Wrightsville Dental in September 2016. Dentistry has always been her passion allowing her to have a positive impact on other people. Dr. Paterson prides herself on being gentle and kind with her patients while being a perfectionist in her field.

Dr. Paterson was born in Ukraine then relocated to the United States in 1996 and settled in New York City. She attended St. Johns University and received a Bachelor of Science in biology in 2002. Upon completion of her undergraduate studies, she went on to pursue her dental education at New York University College of Dentistry, graduating in 2006 as a Doctor of Dental Surgery. She then completed a one-year General Practice Residency program at Jamaica Hospital. Immediately after residency, Dr. Paterson joined a private practice in Manhattan as an associate dentist, where she remained until her move to Wilmington, North Carolina, in December 2011.

Dr. Paterson is a certified preferred provider for Invisalign clear aligners since 2007. She received a postdoctoral one-year training in cosmetic dentistry at the NYU College of Dentistry Aesthetic Institute in 2011. Dr. Paterson is a member of the American Dental Association, the Port City Study Club and the Tri-County Dental Society. She is an active member of the local community and is fluent in Ukrainian, Russian and Polish. Dr. Paterson believes in staying current with the latest advancements in all aspects of general dentistry. Outside her passion for dentistry, Dr. Paterson enjoys traveling, volunteering, sports and reading. She and her husband, Bret Paterson (a native of Wilmington), love spending time with their two children and are proud to call Wilmington their home.

Dr. James Overton is a native of Salisbury, North Carolina. He is a graduate of Davidson College with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and chemistry. After graduation, he served in the U.S. Navy for six years as a deck officer aboard a ship in the West Pacific. After the Navy, he graduated from UNC School of Dentistry with a DDS degree. He and his wife, Becky, moved to Wilmington after graduation in 1974 and opened a general dentistry practice. Jim is a member of the American Dental Association and the North Carolina Dental Society, past president of the Wilmington Tri-County Dental Society, and president of the Eastern Prosthetic Study Club. He and Becky are members of First Presbyterian Church, where he has served as a member of the Board of Deacons and the Chancel Choir. His hobbies include woodworking and sailing.

His practice has seen the transition to digital dentistry, which has involved constant continuing education and training for him and his team. Dr. Overton has merged his practice with the gifted Dr. Gainer and his amazing team and is pleased to see the addition of Dr. Yulia Paterson to the team. This combination of doctors and team will allow a wider range of services and hours for patients, with the same gentle care and state-of-the-art dentistry in Wilmington.

Dr. Adrian LePendu entered the dental field at the age of 17 as a dental assistant in the Army Reserve. This commenced his love of dentistry, and he continued to the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry on a Navy scholarship program. Upon graduation in 2004, he was elected to the Tau Kappa Omega Honor Society and then served in the Navy for three years. During his Naval career, he completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency and became the solo dentist on the forward-deployed USS Harpers Ferry out of Sasebo, Japan. His favorite part of the Navy was providing the troops with the care they deserved and the opportunity to provide dental care to impoverished areas of the Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia.

Dr. LePendu is married to Christine, and they have two boys, Andre and Lucas. He and his family have enjoyed the last eight years in the beautiful outdoors of Colorado with skiing and snowboarding, biking, hiking and climbing. He also enjoys volleyball, home improvement, motorcycles and working on his 68 VW. Dr. LePendu and his family have always dreamed of living by the ocean and feel Wilmington will be a perfect fit for them.

Teresas dental career began in 1981 after earning a degree in dental assisting at UNC School of Dentistry. After 13 years as a dental assistant, she was promoted to dental office manager. Her passion is to help patients save their teeth and to achieve beautiful smiles. Her expertise is working with Insurance and financing to help make dentistry affordable for patients. Teresa and her husband, Pat, have two beautiful daughters, Melody and Crystal, and they love playing golf together in her spare time.

A native of Brunswick County, Diane is an insurance coordinator at our front desk, bringing over 30 years of experience to our office. Her previous experience as an assistant has been very beneficial in dealing with insurance companies and helping our patients maximize their insurance benefits so they can achieve and maintain a beautiful smile! Diane has two daughters and is a proud nana of four wonderful grandchildren.

Kacie is a North Carolina native and has lived in Wilmington for the past six years. Kacie earned her degree in medical office administration coding and billing from Cape Fear Community College. She joined our practice in May 2019 and has sincerely loved getting to know our patients and helping them achieve their best smile. When Kacie is not at work, she enjoys boating and traveling with her boyfriend, Hunter, and their Labrador Retriever, Rue.

Annes dental career began in 2003. After earning a certificate in dental assisting, She proceeded to earn a Bachelor of Science in dental hygiene. Her goal since joining Wrightsville Dental in 2011 has been to provide quality dental care to all her patients. When she is not seeing her patients, Anne enjoys spending time with her husband, cooking, photography and learning new languages.

Charlene is a dental hygienist at the best dental clinic in Wilmington and has been with Dr. Gainer since he began his practice in Wilmington. With more than 30 years of experience, she would say, If you love what you do, then you will never work a day. Listening to patients discuss their wants and needs and helping them make decisions to achieve healthy and attractive smiles is always rewarding. During her free time, Charlene enjoys boating and travel with her husband and two children.

Gena is a North Carolina native. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from UNCW, she attended CFCC to become a dental hygienist. She has more than 15 years of experience practicing dental hygiene. Gena appreciates that dentistry is based upon scientific knowledge and clinical studies. She does her best to stay informed about the latest findings and apply them as she helps clients to obtain optimal oral health. Her clients find her to be highly competent, conscientious and gentle.

Jehnel was born and raised in Middle, Tennessee. After high school, she served four years in the Army and then five years in the Army Reserve. She then received her dental hygiene degree from Erie Community College in Buffalo, New York. Jehnel is married with two children. She moved to Wilmington in 1997 seeking sunshine and blue skies.

Jehnel joined Wrightsville Dental in May of 2020 and has stated, I am very happy and thankful to be a member of such a wonderful dental practice. Her favorite activities consist of treasure hunting at thrift stores, spending time with family and friends, visiting Disney World, and going to the beach.

Chelsea is a Wilmington native who received her associate degree in dental assisting from Miller-Motte College in 2015. She joined our team after spending a year as an oral surgery dental assistant. She enjoys spending time outdoors camping, fishing and going to the beach with her daughter.

Ginger is a seasoned dental assistant who has enjoyed assisting for over 20 years. She is a very caring assistant with a bubbly personality who loves entertaining her patients and working with families.

Grace was raised in Wilmington. Her passion for dentistry began at a very young age from having crooked teeth. After having braces and seeing the happiness a new smile brings to a patient, she pursued dental assisting as her career. She graduated from the CFCC dental assisting program in 2018 and started working at Wrightsville Dental upon graduating. Outside of work, Grace enjoys spending time with her pets, going to the beach and traveling to London every year for her long-distance relationship.

Rachel joined Wrightsville Dental during clinical rotations and graduated from the dental assisting program at CFCC in August 2018. Rachel chose to be a dental assistant from the years of kindness she received through dental visits and wants to give the same kind of care to her patients. Rachel enjoys exploring new places and spending time with her fur babies.

Marilyn is originally from Lake George, New York. She moved to Wilmington with her husband, a retired dentist, who owned his dental practice for 35 years. Marilyn was employed as the office manager in his dental office for 25 years. She and her husband have two daughters and two grandchildren. They currently reside in Brunswick Forest in Leland with their Labrador Retriever, Clifford.

Rhonda is a native Texan and recently moved to the Wilmington area. She has over 20 years of experience, starting as a dental assistant and moving up to office management. She loves getting to know patients and making them feel welcome with her smile. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her fianc and her dog.