Dentist in Charlotte, NC

Calm, unhurried dentistry in Charlotte.

Cleanings, cosmetic work, implants and same day emergencies at two offices, South End and Ballantyne. Most PPO plans accepted, and a membership plan if you don't have insurance.

  • New patients seen within a week
  • Written cost before any treatment
  • Open 7:30 AM weekdays and Saturday mornings
A bright treatment room with a sage dental chair, white oak cabinets and a wall of soft green tile
Today at TesselSouth EndMon to Thu 7:30 AM to 5 PM, Fri 7:30 AM to 2 PMBallantyneMon to Thu 8 AM to 6 PM, Sat 8 AM to 1 PM

In network with most PPO plans

  • Delta Dental PPO
  • Cigna DPPO
  • MetLife PDP
  • Aetna Dental PPO
  • Guardian
  • Blue Cross NC Dental Blue
  • United Concordia
  • Ameritas
Your first visit

Four steps, no surprises.

New patients usually get in within a week. Emergencies are seen the same day.

  1. Book online or text us

    Pick an office and a time. We confirm by text within one business hour.

  2. Fill out forms securely

    A private link lets you finish your health history at home in about ten minutes.

  3. Meet your dentist

    X-rays, a full exam and a cleaning, with time to ask whatever you want.

  4. Leave with a plan

    If anything needs work, you get a written plan with your cost before you decide.

What people tell us

The worries we hear, answered.

If any of these sound like you, mention it when you book. It changes how we plan your visit.

“It's been years, and I'm embarrassed.”

Most new patients tell us something like this. We start where you are, skip the lecture, and fix the most important thing first.

“I'm worried about a surprise bill.”

You get a written estimate with your insurance share and your share before any treatment. The bill matches the estimate.

“Needles and drills make me tense.”

Raise a hand and we stop. We numb the gum before the injection, play what you like in the room, and offer nitrous oxide for longer visits.

“I can't take a morning off work.”

South End opens at 7:30 AM on weekdays and Ballantyne is open Saturday mornings. A checkup takes under an hour.

Dr. Leena Sethuraman, smiling in the office
Founder, general dentist, South End

Dr. Leena Sethuraman

Leena opened Tessel in South End in 2016 after nine years in practices where the schedule ran the visit. She wanted the opposite: longer appointments, fewer patients a day, and enough time to explain an x-ray instead of pointing at it.

She grew up in Raleigh, trained at the UNC Adams School of Dentistry, and finished a general practice residency before moving to Charlotte. Outside the office she's usually on the Rail Trail with her dog or at a Charlotte FC match.

  • DDSUNC Adams School of Dentistry
  • ResidencyGeneral practice, one year
  • Practicing since2007
  • FocusAnxious patients, cosmetic work
Two Charlotte offices

South End and Ballantyne.

Your records are shared, so you can book at whichever office is easier that week.

The Tessel South End office, a red brick building beside the Rail Trail

South End

Mon to Thu 7:30 AM to 5 PM, Fri 7:30 AM to 2 PM
Where
On the Rail Trail in South End, a short walk from the East/West Blvd light rail station
Parking
Garage behind the building, two hours validated
Dentist
Dr. Leena Sethuraman
Close to
South End, Dilworth, Wilmore, Myers Park, Sedgefield
The Tessel Ballantyne office, a stone and wood building among trees

Ballantyne

Mon to Thu 8 AM to 6 PM, Sat 8 AM to 1 PM
Where
Off Ballantyne Commons Parkway, a few minutes from the I-485 exit at Johnston Road
Parking
Free lot at the front door
Dentist
Dr. Theo Marchbanks
Close to
Ballantyne, Blakeney, Piper Glen, Marvin, Fort Mill
Patient stories

What patients say.

Sample reviews written for this demo. A live site would pull real ones from Google.

I hadn't been to a dentist in six years and told them so at the desk. Nobody lectured me. Dr. Sethuraman walked me through the x-rays and we made a plan I could afford.
Jordan M., South EndSample review
Cracked a molar on a Friday morning and was in the chair by noon. They told me the price before they started and it matched the bill.
Alicia R., DilworthSample review
My daughter asks when she gets to go back. That alone tells you how they treat kids here.
Sam K., BallantyneSample review

No insurance? The membership plan covers the basics.

Two cleanings and exams, all routine x-rays and one emergency exam a year for $32 a month, plus 15% off everything else.

Questions people ask

Before you book.

Quick answers to what new patients ask most.

Are you taking new patients?

Yes, at both offices. Most new patients are seen within a week, and emergency visits are same day.

Do you take my insurance?

We're in network with most PPO plans, including Delta Dental, Cigna, MetLife, Aetna, Guardian, Blue Cross NC Dental Blue, United Concordia and Ameritas. Send us your plan details when you book and we'll check your benefits before you come in.

What if I don't have dental insurance?

Our membership plan covers two cleanings and exams, all routine x-rays and one emergency exam a year for $32 a month, plus 15% off other treatment. Self pay prices are listed on our insurance page.

I'm nervous about the dentist. Can you help?

Tell us when you book. We'll give you extra time, explain each step before we do it, and stop whenever you raise a hand. Nitrous oxide is available for longer visits.

Which office should I choose?

South End is easiest by light rail and from Dilworth, Myers Park and uptown. Ballantyne is easiest from south Charlotte, Marvin and Fort Mill, with free parking at the door. Your records are shared, so you can visit either.

Book online

Pick a time that works for you.

Tell us what you need and which office is easier. We call or text within one business hour to confirm a time.

(704) 555-0137

South End: Mon to Thu 7:30 AM to 5 PM, Fri 7:30 AM to 2 PM.
Ballantyne: Mon to Thu 8 AM to 6 PM, Sat 8 AM to 1 PM.

In pain right now? Call. Same day emergency slots open at both offices every weekday morning.

1. What's the visit for

2. How to reach you

Please leave health details out of this form. Once your visit is set, we send a secure link for your health history.

This is a demo site, so nothing was sent. On a live Tessel site, this request lands in the front desk queue and you get a text within one business hour to confirm a time.
CallBook online