2005 Leonard Street NW  Grand Rapids, MI 49504 

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Dr. Allyson Mulder and her team are dedicated to providing gentle, personalized care for all of your dental needs. Dr. Mulder offers a full array of comprehensive dental services for patients of all ages. Whether it’s your first time to the dentist’s office, or you’re a seasoned pro, Dr. Mulder is extremely qualified to handle all of your dental needs. To help you understand your options, we’ve included descriptions of some of our leading services on this page.

Exam & Radiographs
Welcome to WestSide Dental ! New patients and new faces are always welcome at our Grand Rapids office, we invite you to call and schedule an appointment with us today! We want you to feel comfortable in our office, and as with any new relationship, the first step is getting to know one another. By really understanding our patients' needs and concerns, we can better provide the quality and specialized treatment that's just right for you. Therefore the goal of this initial appointment is getting to know you, your health and how we can help you achieve or maintain your dental & oral health.

The Preventive Program
A combination of factors will be evaluated at the exam to help determine the next step of treatment. These factors include, but are not limited to: when the patient's last dental visit was, oral hygiene level and periodontal status. Whatever the following treatment recommended may be, the goal is to take the necessary steps to either maintain or return your gums, mouth and teeth to a healthy state.

Both natural teeth and teeth with restorations survive best in an oral environment that is clean and where the intake of harmful foods is controlled. Our program is designed to help prevent new cavities, preserve teeth that have been restored and manage periodontal disease. At the initial visit oral hygiene instructions are reviewed and are reinforced at subsequent recall visits. The following are helpful recommendations:

  • Brush your teeth twice a day in a circular motion with a soft bristled toothbrush aimed at the gum.
  • Floss every night in an up-and-down motion while keeping the floss in a U-shape and against the tooth surface.
  • Avoid smoking.
  • Avoid sticky sugary foods.
  • Eat a balanced diet.
  • Use antiseptic and fluoride rinses as directed.
  • Have sealants placed on young permanent teeth.

Dental Emergencies
Our goal is to help you to minimize the risk of emergency treatment. This is why we commit a generous amont of time designing a Lifetime Treatment Plan that will help you to offset the possibility of unforseen pain or tooth breakage. Read More...

Scaling & Root Planing
Some cases of acute periodontal (gum) disease that do not respond to more conventional treatment and self-care such as flossing may require a special kind of cleaning called scaling and root planing. The procedure begins with administration of a local anesthetic to reduce any discomfort. Then, a small instrument called a "scaler," or an ultrasonic cleaner, is used to clean beneath your gum line to remove plaque and tartar. The root surfaces on the tooth are then planed and smoothed. If effective, scaling and root planing helps the gums reattach themselves to the tooth structure.  Additional measures may be needed if the periodontal pockets persist after scaling and root planing.

Fillings
A composite (tooth colored) filling is used to repair a tooth that is affected by decay, cracks, fractures, etc.  The decayed or affected portion of the tooth will be removed and then filled with a composite filling.There are many types of filling materials available, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.  You and your dentist can discuss the best options for restoring your teeth. Composite fillings, along with silver amalgam fillings, are the most widely used today.  Because composite fillings are tooth colored, they can be closely matched to the color of existing teeth, and are more aesthetically suited for use in front teeth or the more visible areas of the teeth.As with most dental restorations, composite fillings are not permanent and may someday have to be replaced.  They are very durable, and will last many years, giving you a long lasting, beautiful smile.

Crowns and Bridges
Crowns are synthetic caps, usually made of a material like porcelain, placed on the top of a tooth. Crowns are typically used to restore a tooth's function and appearance following a restorative procedure such as a root canal. When decay in a tooth has become so advanced that large portions of the tooth must be removed, crowns are often used to restore the tooth. Read More...

Implants
Implants are synthetic structures that are placed in the area of the tooth normally occupied by the root. Implants are anchored to the jawbone or metal framework on the bone and act as a foundation for an artificial tooth or permanent bridge. In some cases, implants can be used to attach dentures. Read More...

Veneers
Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain or plastic cemented over the front of your teeth to change their color or shape. Veneers are used on teeth with uneven surfaces or are chipped, discolored, oddly shaped, unevenly spaced or crooked. Read More...

Teeth Whitening
Whitening procedures have effectively restored the smile of people with stained, dull, or discolored teeth.The darker tissue of your teeth, the dentin, can become exposed as the outer layer of enamel is worn away by the effects of aging or things like caffeine and tobacco. Read More...

Dentures
Dentures are removable replacements for missing teeth. They help keep the gum tissue and bone structure healthy. A full denture is crafted to replace an entire upper or lower set of teeth, while a partial denture replaces a few missing teeth by using stable remaining natural teeth as anchors.

Root Canal Therapy
Root canals are tiny passageways that branch off from beneath the top of the tooth, coursing their way vertically downward, until they reach the tip of the root. Read More...

Specialized Treatment for Sleep Apnea/Snoring
Sleep apnea, if left untreated, is extremely dangerous and can be life threatening. Additional, it has been linked to multiple other health issues and systemic disorders such as:

  • Congestive Heart failure
  • Hypertension (High blood pressure)
  • Heart attacks
  • Strokes
  • Diabetes
  • Cancer
  • Several recent studies found that not only were sleep apnea patients more likely to develop cancer (68% more likely), but they were also more likely to die from cancer (increased morbidity by 4.8x!)

The gold standard of care for sleep apnea is and has been, the CPAP. However, it is estimated that nearly 60-70% of patient’s abandon their CPAPs, and then are left with no treatment against this life threatening condition. For those patients that have tried, but found they are CPAP intolerant, dental oral sleep appliances (OSAs) are a wonderful alternative. OSAs for sleep apnea are worn at night, and work by bringing the jaw forward which brings the tongue forward as well, allowing space for the airway to stay open. Some of the advantages of the OSA are comfort, portability and esthetics resulting in much higher compliance rates than with the CPAP.

Specialized Treatment for TMD
Delivering Proven Solutions for head and neck pain caused by TMJ...  Do you have recurring headaches or unexplained pain in your face, jaw, or teeth? Do you have pain in your neck or back, tingling in your fingers, or ringing in your ears? Have you been to your doctor (or multiple doctors) many times, but can't seem to get relief? If so, then you may be one of the millions of Americans suffering from TMJ, temporomandibular joint disorder. The good news is that we can help.

Jaw Disorders
TMJ & Headache Pain Relief. People who grind their teeth can sometimes develop a serious problem with their jaw, which left untreated, can adversely affect the teeth, gums and bone structures of the mouth. One of the most common jaw disorders is related to a problem with the temporomandibular joint, the joint that connects your lower jaw to your skull, and allows your upper and lower jaw to open and close and facilitates chewing and speaking.

Questions or Comments? We encourage you to contact us whenever you have an interest about our services.