Collaborative in Care. Committed to Changing Lives.
Dr. Allan Acton is the founder of Cary Family Dental and a passionate advocate for dentistry that transforms more than just smiles. Since opening the practice in 2003, he has remained focused on delivering exceptional dental care grounded in compassion, precision, and connection. Known for his calm, collaborative approach, Dr. Acton sees his role as both a guide and coach—helping patients define their goals, understand the path to long-term oral health, and feel fully supported along the way.
While trained across all areas of general dentistry, Dr. Acton is especially passionate about smile makeovers. These cases allow him to combine technical excellence with creative vision—listening closely to a patient’s concerns, designing a new smile that aligns with their goals, and watching their confidence grow as treatment unfolds. He believes a great smile can change not only a face, but a life—and takes deep pride in being a part of that transformation.
Originally from Raleigh, Dr. Acton earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry and completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) residency at the University of the Pacific in San Francisco. He is a graduate of the Kois Center, the Hornbrook Group, and the Triangle Dental Institute, and holds a Fellowship from the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI). He is also certified in guided implant surgery, DuraTHIN veneers, and advanced bone and tissue grafting.
Dr. Acton’s treatment philosophy is centered on collaboration. He believes patients deserve to feel heard, empowered, and never pressured. His goal is to exceed expectations—whether through clinical results, pain relief, or simply creating the best dental experience a patient has ever had.
Outside the office, Dr. Acton enjoys traveling with his wife, Maria, and spending time with their two children, Molly and Jack. A Raleigh native through and through, he, his father, and grandmother all graduated from the same high school (Broughton). He earned his pilot’s license while in dental school but no longer flies, and before entering dentistry, worked in business as an analyst at Capital One when it was just a start up. His guiding principle—passed down from his mother—still holds true today: “You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.”
Recent Blog Posts:
“That’ll Never Work”: How Pete Went from Skeptic to Invisalign Success Story in 7 Months
She Thought Veneers Were Her Only Option. What We Did Instead Changed Everything.
Before and After presentation: Full Mouth Smile Makeover
Before and After presentation: Conservative smile makeover – 4 teeth
A Complete Smile Transformation – Where Health Meets Confidence
The Five Key Areas We Evaluate During Your Dental Visits
Smile Transformation Success – Closing the Gap with Composite Bonding
How Do I Keep From Losing My Teeth? Protecting the Foundation of Your Smile
Transforming Smiles with a Focus on the Front Teeth – Less is More
Transforming Smiles with KöR Whitening – A Patient’s Success Story
Dry Mouth – The Silent Threat to Your Oral Health
Why Do Children Have Crowded or Crooked Teeth?
From Emergency to Excellence – Restoring a Broken Front Tooth with Enhanced Esthetics
Closing the Gap – How One Patient Transformed Her Smile in Just One Hour
Dr. Allan Acton Accreditations
- American Dental Association
- Academy of General Dentistry
- Virginia Commonwealth Dental School
- University of Pacific Dental School Residency
- Hornbrook Continuum
- Kois Continuum
- International Congress of Oral Implantologists
- Crown Council Lifetime Member
- Triangle Dental Institute
- Adjunct Professor UNC Dental School
- Seattle Study Club
- Invisalign Premier Provider
- American Academy Cosmetic Dentistry
- Advanced Cerec Training
