Acela Martinez Luna, DMD

Media Releases

Get to know Periodontist Dr. Acela Martinez Luna, who serves patients in Greenville, North Carolina.

A board-certified periodontist, Dr. Martinez serves as the Division Director of Clinical Implantology and Clinical Assistant Professor at the Eastern Carolina University School of Dental Medicine. Her clinical interests include implant dentistry, digital dentistry, 3D printing, periodontal plastic surgery, and periodontal and guided bone regeneration.

The ECU School of Dental Medicine educates North Carolinians to be tomorrow’s solution to the oral healthcare shortfall in the state. They prepare students who are inclined to serve rural and underserved populations, and they teach them using a national model that includes the most modern technology, intensive classroom instruction and hands-on experience at their statewide community service learning centers.

A native of Mexico, Dr. Martinez earned her Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry with honors from the Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí in 2009, and received her Certificate in Restorative Dentistry from the Centro de Estudios Odontologicos de Queretaro in 2011. 

After a year of private practice in her home country, she pursued specialty training and completed the advanced education program in Periodontology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry (Periodontology certificate and MS degree) in 2015. Finally, she completed her fellowship in advanced implant dentistry at the same educational venue in 2016.

Distinguished as a Fellow of the International Team for Implantology (ITI), Dr. Martinez is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, and is board-certified by the Mexican Board of Periodontology. She has also received certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Basic Life Support from the American Heart Association.

On a professional level, Dr. Martinez is an active member of the American Academy of Periodontology, the American Dental Association, the East Central Dental Society, the Hispanic Dental Association, the North Carolina Dental Society, Women Implantology Network, and the International Team for Implantology.

Periodontics is the dental specialty focusing exclusively on the inflammatory disease that destroys the gums and other supporting structures around the teeth. A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease, and in the placement of dental implants.

Among her various accolades, Dr. Martinez has been the recipient of the Outstanding Faculty Recognition ECU Division of Research, Economic Development, and Engagement (REDE) and School of Dental Medicine (2022), Educator Award for Excellence in Teaching and Mentoring in Periodontics at ECU from the American Academy of Periodontology (2021), Straumann New Periodontist Award (2017), Straumann SUPER Grant (2015), the North Carolina AADR Section Derek T. Turner Student Research Award (2015), and the UNC-CH Elsie and Baxter Sapp Fellowship Award (2014).

Recommended Articles

• What Is a Cavity?

  A cavity is a result of tooth decay, which is a damage that occurs due to poor oral health and dental plaque on the tooth’s surface. Cavities usually start really small and when they are left untreated, they gradually become bigger. Anyone who has teeth, including babies, can develop cavities. For...

• Frequent Smoking and Lack of Sleep Can Lead to Gum Disease

  Studies show that smoking and lack of sleep are two factors that affect the progression of gum disease. “The study shows that other than brushing and flossing, there are lifestyle factors that may affect the dental health of a person”, says Preston D. Miller Jr., DDS, president of the American...

• Wine May Prevent Cavities

  Researchers from Italy's University of Pavia have revealed that red wine and white wine may fight against the bacteria that causes cavities. But the study was done invitro; it will be some time before this will be recommended as a method to prevent cavities.For this study, researchers used two types...

• What Could Jaw Pain Mean?

  Introduction Jaw pain is described as an uncomfortable, painful, and debilitating condition that can have a sudden or gradual onset. The exact symptoms also depend on the underlying cause of jaw pain. When a person has jaw pain, it can significantly affect his or her ability to speak and consume...

• Are Dental Crowns Useful?

  What is Dental Crowns?A dental crown, or a tooth crown, is a tooth-shaped sleeve, or cap, made of porcelain or metal, that is placed over the tooth. Crowns are utilized to restore the shape and size of a tooth. When implanted properly, the porcelain caps cover the crown of the tooth that is visible...

• Gum Disease is Common in Pot Smokers

  A new study published in, The Journal of American Medical Association, reports that pot use is associated with gum disease. This disease, considered to be a disease due to aging, was very common among people who smoke marijuana. The result remained the same even after accounting for all other...