About us
About Allenwood Dental
Our office is led by Dr. G. Ghannam, who earned his DDS from the University of Michigan in 1985 and has spent his career caring for families in the Downriver area. Over the years, the practice grew into a multi-doctor family practice with five doctors general dentists and a board-certified orthodontist so that most of what a household needs can be handled under one roof, by people who already know the family’s history.
Our mission is simple to say and takes real work to deliver: to improve our patients’ lives through first-class dental care. In practice, that means we see patients of all ages, from a child’s first visit around age one through teens, adults, and seniors. It means a hygienist on staff for cleanings and periodontal maintenance, general dentists for fillings, crowns, bridges, and root canals, oral surgery for extractions and wisdom teeth, and orthodontics for both kids and adults. And it means being honest about what a tooth needs today versus what can reasonably be watched.
Comfort isn’t an afterthought in our office; it’s a stated priority, and we’ve made it something you can actually choose from. Our comfort menu includes blankets, warm towels, neck pillows, headphones, Netflix, and refreshments. If you’d rather watch a show than listen to the work happening, that option is right there. For patients who need more support, we offer nitrous oxide sedation and IV sedation dentistry, and we’re glad to talk through which is appropriate before you commit to anything.
New patients often ask what a first visit looks like. Here’s what you can generally expect:
- A conversation first — what’s bothering you, what you’ve been told before, and what you’d like your smile to do for you
- A dental exam with X-rays, plus an oral cancer screening as part of routine care
- A cleaning and, when appropriate, fluoride treatment or sealants
- A clear explanation of findings, with options rather than pressure
- A complimentary check of your insurance benefits so cost isn’t a surprise
We also offer a complimentary consultation, which many patients use before deciding on implants, dentures, braces, or Invisalign. There’s no obligation attached to it.
The In-House Lab Difference
Most dental offices mail impressions to an outside laboratory and ask patients to wait weeks between appointments. We keep a dental lab on site. Crowns, dentures, night guards, and other appliances are made and adjusted right here, which makes same-day dentures and same-day crowns possible, along with relines and repairs that would otherwise mean days without a working denture.
The benefit goes beyond speed. When a denture rubs a sore spot or a bite feels slightly high, the person who can fix it is down the hall. Adjustments happen while you’re still in the chair instead of at a return visit a week later. For patients who wear dentures full time, or who are moving toward implant-supported dentures or mini implants, that responsiveness changes the whole experience.
A Team for Every Stage of Life
Our doctors bring different strengths to the same building. Dr. Ghannam owns the practice and leads our general dentistry. Dr. Derek A. Pflum (DDS, PhD) and Dr. Maria Kana (DDS) also practice general dentistry. Dr. Sophia Elmuradi is a general dentist and a board-certified oral and maxillofacial pathologist. Dr. Ila Sayed is our board-certified orthodontist, treating children and adults with traditional metal braces and clear aligners, accepting orthodontic transfer patients, and making retainers for patients who were treated elsewhere.
We see children from age one through the teen years and treat children with special healthcare needs. We accept oral surgery patients without a referral. And we offer oral appliances for sleep apnea, along with night guards for grinding and sports guards for athletes. Se habla español.
Serving Woodhaven and Our Neighbors
Families come to us from Woodhaven, Trenton, Riverview, and Flat Rock, and many have been with us across generations. Being a neighborhood practice means we hear about the same school sports seasons and the same work schedules, and we plan care around real life, including same-day emergency appointments when something can’t wait.
Affordability is part of being a community practice. We accept all major PPO insurance plans and self-pay patients, offer CareCredit financing, and run new patient specials. For patients without insurance, our in-house membership plan is $199 a year for ages 18 and up and $99 a year for ages 17 and under. It covers exams, X-rays, two cleanings, and two fluoride treatments a year at 100%, with 20% to 50% off other treatments, no annual maximum, no deductibles, no waiting period, and no pre-authorizations. We accept cash, checks, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express, and we’ll check your benefits for you at no charge.
Let’s Get Your Smile Scheduled
Call our Woodhaven office on Allen Road to book your visit. We see all ages, offer same-day emergency appointments, accept most PPO plans, CareCredit, and self-pay, and we’ll gladly check your benefits for free.