Biological dentistry. Whole-person healing.
Welcome to Sozo Dental in Waukee, IA
A personal approach to your oral health
There is something reassuring about being cared for by someone who takes the time to know you. At Sozo Dental, we begin there, with a conversation about what brought you in and what matters most to you. Sozo means “to save, to restore, to heal,” a philosophy that guides our efforts to preserve your natural teeth and care for the person behind your smile. Our biological and holistic approach considers your oral health as part of your overall well-being, helping us make thoughtful decisions together. We welcome patients of all ages from Waukee, West Des Moines, and beyond into a place where they can feel heard and understood. Our fee-for-service approach gives us the freedom to plan care around your individual needs, with time to talk through recommendations and understand your investment before moving forward.
Meet Your Dentist
Dr. Michelle Behrens
For Dr. Michelle Behrens, a good day in dentistry comes from knowing she has done her best for the person in her chair. She earned her DDS at the University of Iowa and brings 15 years of experience to the care she provides. After stepping away from dentistry to spend time at home with her children, continuing education introduced her to a biological and holistic approach that felt like a natural fit. Sozo Dental grew from that experience and her desire to create a place where she could get to know her patients and practice with their long-term well-being in mind. Today, as a dentist and mother of three, she brings that same patience to helping you feel comfortable with the decisions you make for yourself and your family.
Featured services
Biomimetic Dentistry
Your natural teeth are worth preserving. Biomimetic dentistry takes its cues from the way a healthy tooth is built, guiding us toward treatment that respects its structure and keeps as much of it intact as possible.
Clear Aligners
If you’ve been thinking about a straighter smile, let’s talk about what that could mean for you. With Airtho Clear Aligners, we take an airway-conscious approach to treatment, considering your airway health alongside the changes you’d like to see in your smile.
Restorative Dentistry with Biocompatible Materials
When a tooth needs repair, the materials we use deserve thoughtful consideration. We’ll talk through your options and choose biocompatible materials with your individual needs in mind, helping restore comfort while preserving healthy tooth structure whenever possible.
Airway Evaluations & Expansion
If you’re concerned about your child’s breathing or have questions about your own sleep, there’s a place to start. We offer pediatric and adult airway evaluations and explore whether expansion treatment could be an appropriate part of your care.
Myofunctional Therapy
The way your tongue and facial muscles work is part of your oral health, too. Through guided exercises, myofunctional therapy helps you develop habits that support how those muscles function in everyday life.
Ceramic Implants
Replacing a missing tooth is a personal decision, including choosing the material that feels right for you. Ceramic implants offer a metal-free option, and we’ll help you understand whether they’re a good fit for your smile.
Extractions with Ozone Therapy
Letting go of a tooth can feel like a big step. When an extraction is needed, we’ll explain our approach, including how ozone therapy fits into your treatment, and help you feel prepared for the care ahead.
Guided Biofilm Therapy
Your cleaning should feel like care you can settle into. Guided biofilm therapy uses targeted air polishing to remove bacterial buildup, offering a gentle approach to keeping your smile clean.
Oral Microbiome Testing
Sometimes, understanding your oral health means looking a little closer. Oral microbiome testing helps us learn about the bacteria in your mouth and consider those findings alongside your exam when discussing your care.
Salivary Diagnostics
A small saliva sample can give us another way to learn about your oral health. When appropriate, salivary testing adds information to your examination, helping us have a more informed conversation about your next steps.
Safe Mercury Removal
If you’re considering replacing an amalgam filling, you deserve to understand how it will be done. We use the Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique, with added precautions designed to reduce mercury exposure during removal.
The Sozo approach
Thoughtful care with room to breathe
The way you feel during a dental visit matters. We have shaped Sozo Dental around the belief that good care takes time, including time to explain a recommendation and hear what you think about it. Our hope is that each visit gives you a little more understanding of your health and a little more confidence in the person caring for you.
A personal investment in your health
At Sozo Dental, our fee-for-service approach gives you and Dr. Behrens the freedom to plan care around your health and goals, including treatment options your insurance may not cover. You’ll have time to understand her recommendations anddecide what feels right for you, with clear costs and payment options discussed before treatment.
Your questions belong here
You may arrive with questions you've been holding onto for a while, especially if a past dental experience left you feeling unheard. We make space for those conversations so you can understand our recommendations and have a voice in your care.
A setting designed for you
We want you to feel yourself exhale a little when you walk through the door. With natural light and the feel of a wellness space, our office is designed to help you settle in and feel at ease with the small team caring for you.
A clearer picture of your care
Understanding what's happening with your teeth can make a treatment decision feel less overwhelming. When appropriate, tools such as CBCT imaging help us look more closely and explain what we see, so you can follow the reasoning behind your care.
You don't need to have your mind made up to start a conversation about treatment. If you're considering dental implants or clear aligners, a consultation gives us time to talk about what you hope to change and whether we can help. You'll have a chance to ask the questions that matter to you before deciding on your next step.
Explore the possibilities
Peace of mind
Smile with confidence
Schedule a visit today
Come as you are. Let’s start there.
You deserve to feel at ease with the person caring for your smile. Come get to know us, share what matters to you, and see how a more personal approach to dentistry can feel.