Welcome to Christmastown Dentistry!  Let us show you how we are different!  Our goal is simple- we want to exceed your expectations and provide you with the absolute best care in a comfortable yet state of the art environment.

Dr. Travis Nixon (middle) is a lifelong resident of Gaston County and is a 1993 graduate of South Point High School.   He received his bachelor of science degree in biology with a minor in chemistry from UNC Chapel Hill in 1997.  He then continued his training at UNC and received his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree in 2002.  He has trained at the Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education and Spear Education…..both of which are considered to be the highest level of dental training that a dentist can pursue. He is an active member of the American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, North Carolina Dental Society, Gaston County Dental Society, Southern Articulators Spear Study Club,  and the Occlusal Concepts Study Club. Dr. Nixon also loves to educate the next generation of dentists and has mentored over 40 aspiring dental professionals over the past 22 years.   Recently, in 2023, he founded an additional study club at UNC School of Dentistry (his alma mater) to provide dental students with resources to help them as they begin their careers in dentistry.  Dr. Nixon’s practice philosophy is simple–he wants to be more than your dentist.  He wants to cultivate a life long relationship with you built on mutual trust and understanding.  

Dr. Nixon is married to Dr. Stephanie Nixon, a pharmacist.  He enjoys spending time with his family, playing tennis and pickleball, working in his yard and teaching at UNC Dental School.  The Nixons are actively involved at their church home…Parkwood Baptist Church in Gastonia .  They reside in Cramerton with their three children, Lexi, Beckett and Luke.

 

Dr. Shanda Fangman (right) received her Bachelor of Science degree as well as her Doctorate of Dental Surgery from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2000.  She is a native of Monroe, NC and has been practicing dentistry in North Carolina since 2000.  She is a member of several dental organizations, including the American Dental Association, the NC Dental Society and the Academy of General Dentistry.  Dr. Fangman is married to Dr. Bill Fangman, a dermatologist practicing in Mcadenville, NC.  They reside in Belmont with their two children, Jack and Katie.

Dr. Tarah Coleman (left) is a transplant to NC who grew up in the mountains of Virginia. She graduated from Virginia Tech in 2010 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry and then continued on to receive her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2014.  Following graduation, she completed a one year General Practice Residency at the VA Hospital in Washington, DC where she had the opportunity to expand her knowledge while caring for some of the nation’s finest.  Dr. Coleman is an active member of a Spear Study Club where she stays up to date with the latest dental techniques. She is also an active member of the ADA, NC Dental Society, and the Academy of General Dentistry. Dr. Coleman and her husband Ryan have one daughter, Hadley.  In her free time, Dr. Coleman enjoys spending time with family, hiking, playing kickball, and working with the youth group at her church.