Meet The Team Behind Your Smile
About Us
At Challenger Family Dental, your oral health, comfort, and confidence are our top priorities. We are committed to providing exceptional dental care in a welcoming and compassionate environment for patients and families throughout Clayton, NC, and surrounding communities.
Our experienced dental team stays current with the latest advancements in dentistry to deliver high-quality, personalized treatment tailored to your individual needs. From routine dental exams and professional cleanings to cosmetic, restorative, and advanced dental procedures, our goal is to help you achieve and maintain a healthy, beautiful smile.
We look forward to welcoming you to Challenger Family Dental and helping you smile with confidence!
Dr. H. Russell Challenger
Dr. Challenger is originally from Sacramento, California and now resides in NC.
In 2008, he received his bachelor’s degree in Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior from the University of California Davis. In 2015, Dr. Challenger received his doctorate from Loma Linda University School of Dentistry located in Southern California, where he was a published author of research in the Journal of the California Dental Association (click here to view article).
He was also the recipient of the Alumni Award at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry. He is a member of the American Dental Association and North Carolina Dental Society. In his spare time, Dr. Challenger enjoys spending time with family, mentoring kids who are interested in STEM and being in nature and learning new things.
Office Manager
Aida
Treatment Coordinator
Mayra
Administrative Coordinator
Eliza
Scheduling Coordinator
Yasemene
Dental Hygienist
Myofunctional Therapist
Mia
Dental Hygienist
Leslie
Dental Assistant II
Kayla
Dental Assistant II
Kayla
Sterilization Technician
Krystal
Technology That Makes a Difference
Our 3D imaging shows your teeth, jaw, nerves, and airway in detail that traditional x-rays can’t. It helps us plan implants and surgery precisely, evaluate your airway, and catch problems early, all with a quick, low-dose scan.
3-D CBCT
PrimeMill and Furnace (CERAC Same-day Crowns)
Using your digital scan, our Primemill unit precisely shapes your crown, and the SpeedFire furnace finishes zirconia restorations in-house. In many cases you can get a strong, natural-looking crown without temporaries or a second appointment.
Philips Zoom whitening brightens your smile noticeably in a single visit. It’s professionally supervised, so you get dramatic, even results with sensitivity kept to a minimum.
Zoom Whitening
Our in-office 3D printer produces custom night guards, surgical guides, models, and appliances with precise fit. Making them here means faster turnaround and better control over quality.
Primeprint
The iTero scanner creates a detailed 3D image of your smile and can show you a simulation of your results with Invisalign before you begin. It’s a fast, comfortable way to see what’s possible.
Itero Intraoral Scanner
No more messy impression trays. Primescan captures a highly accurate 3D model of your teeth in minutes with a small handheld wand. It’s more comfortable for you and gives us more precise results.
PrimeScan
A small, pen-sized camera lets you see exactly what we see, with clear, magnified images of your teeth right on the screen. It helps us catch issues early and makes it easy to understand your treatment options.
Intraoral Cameras
Using photos, video, and 3D scans, we digitally map out your new smile before any treatment begins. You can preview your results and help shape the final design, so there are no surprises.
Digital Smile Design
For patients with dental anxiety or longer procedures, we offer sedation to help you feel relaxed and comfortable. We’ll talk through which option is right for you and keep you safe and monitored throughout your visit.
Sedation Options
Trusted Partners
Snoring, fatigue, and poor sleep can signal sleep apnea. We partner with medical practitioners to provide convenient home sleep studies, reviewed and diagnosed by their physicians and nurse practitioners, so you can get answers without an overnight stay at a sleep lab.
In-Home Sleep Study
We offer Invisalign clear aligners, a nearly invisible, removable way to straighten teeth. Paired with our iTero scanner, your treatment is planned digitally from start to finish.
Invisalign
As part of our sleep and airway screening, we use the SnoreLab app to help track and measure snoring at home. It gives us real data to guide your next steps.
Snorelab
Explore More at Efinity Center
Emface combines radiofrequency and muscle-stimulation energy to tone facial muscles and improve skin firmness, with no needles and no downtime. Sessions are quick and comfortable, and it’s also offered as a supportive option for patients with jaw tension and TMJ discomfort.
Emface
Exion uses radiofrequency and targeted ultrasound to stimulate your skin’s own renewal, helping smooth fine lines and improve texture and hydration. It’s a gentle, non-invasive way to refresh your skin.
Exion
Aura provides a detailed digital analysis of your facial features and skin. It helps us design treatment plans and smile makeovers that are personalized to you, and lets you see and track your progress over time.
Aura Facial Scanner
Solea Laser
The Solea laser lets us perform many procedures with little to no anesthetic, minimal bleeding, and faster healing. It’s used for soft-tissue treatments like tongue- and lip-tie releases (frenectomies), and as part of our sleep and airway care to help reduce snoring.
Learn More About Us
Office Tour
Dr. Challenger Interview