Meet Dr. Marisol Lopez, DMD
“The best care starts with trust and open communication.”
That’s the philosophy that guides Dr. Marisol Lopez every day.
She believes exceptional dentistry isn’t about telling patients what they should do. It’s about listening first, understanding their goals, answering their questions, and helping them make informed decisions about their oral health. Every patient deserves to feel heard, respected, and confident in the care they receive.
For Dr. Lopez, trust always comes first.
Her passion for dentistry began long before dental school.
Growing up in North Carolina, Dr. Lopez often accompanied her mother to dental appointments, serving as her Spanish translator. Watching someone she loved struggle to communicate during healthcare visits left a lasting impression. She saw firsthand how important it was for patients to understand their treatment, ask questions, and feel comfortable expressing their concerns.
That experience inspired her to become the kind of dentist she wished her own mother had during those appointments, someone who listened carefully, communicated clearly, and made every patient feel understood.
Today, as a fluent Spanish-speaking dentist, Dr. Lopez enjoys helping patients communicate in the language they’re most comfortable speaking. She believes clear communication builds trust, reduces anxiety, and allows patients to make informed decisions with confidence.
Dr. Lopez earned both her Bachelor of Science in Biology and her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from East Carolina University, proudly becoming a double Pirate. During her education, she also participated in the Summer Medical and Dental Education Program at the University of Virginia, further strengthening her commitment to serving others through dentistry.
What Dr. Lopez loves most about dentistry is that every patient is different.
Every smile tells a different story.
Every treatment plan should reflect that.
She believes there is rarely just one “right” answer. Instead, she works alongside each patient to create personalized treatment plans based on their oral health, goals, priorities, and comfort level. She wants every patient to feel like an active partner in their care, never pressured into making a decision before they’re ready.
Dr. Lopez has advanced experience in restorative dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, root canal therapy, dental implants, tooth extractions, wisdom teeth removal, and pre-prosthetic surgery. She especially enjoys procedures that relieve pain, restore function, and give patients immediate improvements in both comfort and confidence.
Although she enjoys the technical side of dentistry, it’s the relationships she builds with patients that make her career meaningful.
She understands that many people feel anxious about going to the dentist, especially if it’s been years since their last appointment. That’s why she takes time to answer questions, explain treatment options, and create a comfortable, judgment-free environment where patients feel supported from beginning to end.
Patients often describe Dr. Lopez as patient, a good listener, and easy to talk to. Those are compliments she values deeply because they reflect exactly the kind of dentist she hopes to be.
One of the things Dr. Lopez loves most about Dental Oasis of Clayton is the people she works alongside every day.
She believes patients can tell when a team genuinely enjoys working together. The positive relationships shared among the doctors and team members naturally create an environment where patients feel welcomed, cared for, and comfortable from the moment they walk through the door.
Outside the office, Dr. Lopez enjoys traveling with her husband, discovering new restaurants, cheering for the Colombian National Soccer Team, spending time in the mountains, and relaxing with her two dogs, Luna and Merlin, named after beloved Harry Potter characters. She proudly embraces her Colombian and Puerto Rican heritage and enjoys connecting with patients from many different backgrounds. One item still sitting at the top of her bucket list is traveling to Antarctica to see penguins in their natural habitat.
If she hadn’t become a dentist, Dr. Lopez says she probably would have become a veterinarian, another profession centered around caring for others.
At the end of every appointment, Dr. Lopez hopes her patients leave with more than just healthier teeth.
She hopes they leave feeling informed.
Confident.
Respected.
And knowing they always have a partner in their dental care.
Because for Dr. Lopez, the best dentistry has never been about simply treating teeth.
It’s about helping people feel heard.