I have had dental problems since I was 18. I have had every surgery known to dentistry including prosthetics. I now could be a dentist myself.

Dr. Benting is the most gentle, sympathetic and artistic doctor I have ever known and since I am 73 years old, you can only guess how many dentist chairs I have clenched my fingers on. He and his wonderful staff made me feel at ease and welcome. I didn't clench once.

I recommend him to everyone and anyone who is willing to listen to me sing his praises.

This is an open letter to anyone researching prosthodontics or needing quality dental rehabilitation. If you desire beautiful, precision additions to your mouth, you have found the place. Dr. Douglas and Kerry Benting have established a practice of excellence coupled with campassionate, thorough care.

After living in dental chairs for sixty years, working to save my teeth, I had to surrender to the inevitable. As anyone knows who has experienced this, it is a life changer. After a few years of adjustment with dentures, then implant surgery, I found my way to the Benting practice for new plates.

I could never have imagined the detail necessary as I kept returning for fittings. As Dr. Benting has the vast experience to design and make my plates, unheard of in my experience, I felt so cared for. Both the Bentings were so involved, observing the process for the highest results for me. To properly construct the plates for the monumentally, sophisticated act of eating and speaking took time. In this age of quick fixes, I had to reorient my thinking to see how important it was to value the time Dr. Benting was taking.

My life has been so enriched with the excellence I live with. As my other dental hygienist of thirty years said upon seeing the work, "These are the most beautifully detailed plates I have ever seen". I am grateful for my results and that this dedicated practice exists in the Benting office.

Going through life most of us, myself included, avoid going to the dentist fearing the stress and pain related with dental work. We say to ourselves, “I’ll go later, I don’t have the time right now,” when, in fact, we don’t go because we are afraid. Then when the problem we have with our teeth becomes unbearable, we force ourselves to go. Unfortunately by this time the degree of work needed has doubled or tripled by putting it off. Now there will be more pain and a much higher expense as well.

From accidents as a child, and generally weak teeth, I experienced a lifetime of poor dental health. As most do, I waited until the problem was escalated to the point of having them all pulled with full dentures. Knowing others that battled with ordinary dentures, from the poor fit and discomfort, to the ineffectiveness of them, I decided, once I knew I had to go the distance with my teeth, to look into implant surgery and modern technology dentures.

Discovering Dr. Benting was a godsend. Not only is Doc extremely meticulous in his work, he and his staff are warm and inviting. They make you feel comfortable and at ease with getting dental work, unlike the typical “clinical” atmosphere of most dentist’s offices. Doc has a calming demeanor about himself, and goes out of his way to provide not only a comfortable environment but also a superior final product.

I could not be more pleased with the quality of work Dr. Benting and his staff have provided me. My “teeth” are so comfortable and effective I often forget they are not my real teeth. The sizing and appearance are outstanding. Better than I expected. Great job!!!

I think it's been more than a week since you finished your work on my teeth. In that time I've tried just about everything, including robust steaks, and had not a bit of trouble.

My teeth are now comfortable and they look so much better than they originally did. Thank you very much for doing a truly outstanding job.

I have found Dr. Benting and his staff to display great concern for the comfort and well-being of their patients. They are very knowledgeable and meticulous in the performance of their profession. I am pleased with the procedures they have done for me and I would highly recommend them to all who are looking for a dentist who is proficient and reliable. Doctor Benting and his staff are who you want.

Thank you so much for all the hard work you did on my teeth. It was a pleasure coming to your office. You and your staff always made my husband and I feel special. Thank you for working out a treatment plan and a payment schedule that fit my budget. I felt more relaxed with you than with any other dentist I had been to see. After my first appointment, I had complete confidence in your ability to do whatever needed to be done. It was a long process, but the end results were well worth it. My new bridge and crown are real nice. The new partial fits my mouth perfect.

Thanks to you I can chew my food again. The really big thing is I can smile without being embarrassed. My new partial fits so well, I sometimes forget it's there. I would recommend you to anyone who wants a professional job done on their teeth. I feel you are a great person and very meticulous about your work.

I want to thank you for giving me back to me!!! You and your entire crew specialize in caring and I really appreciate that. You were so intent in getting it right that you took the time and patience to make sure it was right the first time and then you rushed to get them finished for a special occasion I had coming up. How perfect was that!! Absolutely Perfect!

My teeth are so great in making me look like myself again. I can laugh, talk, sing, et and I have my self confidence back. Again, thank you so much!

I was referred to Dr. Benting by my oral surgeon about two years ago to correct a problem I had been having repeatedly with my upper denture which was installed after having implant replacements. Through many trials and much perseverance on Dr. Benting's part, I am now able to wear my denture consistently without pain for the first time in many years.

Dr. Benting's is not only a caring and patient professional, he demonstrates a real pride and exceptional skill in what he does.

His entire office staff share his friendly and caring manner and, for me, has helped make my experience positive, comfortable and, above all, successful! Thank you, Dr. Benting!

When I was just 15, I got hit in the mouth with a baseball. After several crowns and root canals and various other cosmetic procedures over the last 30 years, I finally got a smile that I could live with again. (When your front 4 teeth are damaged and you are in the public eye every day, finding a Dentist/Doctor that you trust to do quality work becomes a top priority!)

I have to admit, that when I moved into the Phoenix area, the last thing I wanted to do was try and find another Dr. to help me with my teeth. Well, I’m glad I was referred to Dr. Benting. Dental technology has changed a lot in the last 30 years and when I needed to repair some of the previous work that had been done when I was younger, Dr. Benting not only explained all of my options and listened to my questions and concerns, but also, did excellent work! My smile looks better than ever!

Recently, when one of my old crowns came loose on a Friday night, Dr. Benting and his wife Kerry stayed late into the night to help me take care of it. Now that’s customer service! It’s a wonderful combination when you find a Dentist who you can trust, and who does top quality work!

Thank you Dr. Benting and the entire staff. I would highly recommend you to anyone.

A couple of years ago I had four implants put on my bottom gum so that I could have a snap-on denture. I was on a liquid diet and had no bottom teeth for two weeks.

FIRST DENTURE

I was told that the little o-rings that go in the denture to secure it to the implants would need changing about once a year or possibly every six months. That really did not work out. The denture would get loose in a matter of weeks and I would have to get the o-ring replaced. During one visit all of the o-rings were replaced. Following visits were for whichever o-ring had become loose. The denture would get loose so often that I would just not wear it out of frustration until I felt that I really had to get the o-rings replaced.

In an attempt to adjust the bite one tooth was sanded down so much that the pink part of the denture showed through the tooth. Then one of the bottom front teeth chipped due to too much pressure on the bottom front teeth. I was without any bottom teeth for a couple of days while it was sent back for repair. When the denture came back I went in so that an adjustment could be made to the denture in order to balance the bite to alleviate the pressure. While I was there I noticed that tooth color was also four shades darker than the rest of the teeth so that was addressed there as well.

About two weeks later, the other bottom front tooth chipped. It was decided then to have another denture made by another company. The same frame of the denture would be used so that left me without bottom teeth and liquid diet for another three weeks.

SECOND DENTURE

I had the same o-ring problem that I had with the first denture. During the next few months I had several adjustments made to my bit. The teeth never seemed to come together properly all the way around – I was also told that my denture had a stress fracture.

I was beginning to think that this was something I would have to resign myself to live with. I was so frustrated I went back to the doctor who installed the implants and asked him if he could refer me to another dentist that was experienced with snap-on dentures. He referred me to Dr. Douglas Benting, DDS, MS PLLC, Prosthodontist.

APPOINTMENT WITH DR. BENTING

My first visit he did an exam and took x-rays.

During my next visit I asked him if he could repair my denture or if this was something I would have to live with. He told me he could help me and he showed me on this computer what he could do to solve my problem –all of which looked so much better to me than what I currently had. There was so much that would have to be done to my old denture that after much discussion, it was decided that a new denture should be made.

With each visit my confidence in Dr. Benting and his staff continued to build. Can it be that my frustrations are coming to an end? While going through this process, Dr. Benting found an additional stress fracture to my second denture. He told me it would be just a matter of time before the denture broke.

I have an appointment for the final product the day before Thanksgiving. My hopes are sky high!

THE DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING

The day is finally here! Dr. Benting is very meticulous. The new denture he made fits perfectly – everything looks and feels balanced – unlike the old denture. I was so excited I stopped by Fry’s and bought t-bone steaks for dinner that night. What a difference – I could chew my steak thoroughly and my new denture did not come loose or slop around. No sore spots either.

DECEMBER 4, 2009

My first follow-up appointment with Dr. Benting. It has been 10 days and 2 t-bone steaks since I received my new denture. I have no complaints – Halleluiah!

There is help out there for people experiencing problems and frustration due to ill fitting dentures and other dental maladies.

If you are experiencing similar or other dental problems-I recommend you consult with Dr. Benting. I'm so glad I did.

I have suffered from Sjogren's Syndrome for many years. A result of this is a lack of saliva and an extremely dry mouth, which caused my teeth to become very fragile and fall apart. Extra attention to oral hygiene did not prevent tooth loss.

Knowing that the extremely dry mouth could make wearing dentures quite uncomfortable, I decided to have dental implants with attachments to secure the dentures in place. This concept is good, but I found that having the attachments in the denture caused weak spots that resulted in the dentures fracturing. My dentist was at a loss as to how to prevent this. When the upper denture of the third set fractured, Dr. Donald Robertson, the periodontist who had done my implants suggested I see Dr. Douglas Benting.

I cannot say enough positive things about my experience with Dr. Benting. Because the lower denture was still intact, he was willing to fit it to the new upper denture to make the expense easier on me even though replacing both at the same time would have been easier for him. He is very knowledgeable, meticulous, and a skilled craftsman. Adding metal to the denture has added strength to prevent the fracturing. After a year and a half, I have now had to replace the lower denture and I couldn't have asked for a better fit.

Dr. Benting and his staff have been wonderful to work with and have made the experience quite enjoyable. I give him and his staff my highest recommendation.

I moved to Arizona about three years ago and always thought I had received good dental in my home state. I cracked a tooth and was simply amazed by the thoroughness of the exam during my first appointment. Dr. Benting and his staff set a completely different standard for quality dental care and I could not be more impressed or pleased with my treatment. Kerry cleans my teeth better than I would have believed possible.

Every trip to their office is a comfortable, pleasant experience and you always know they sincerely care that their treatment is right for you. I absolutely recommend Dr. Benting.

I have practiced dental hygiene in Arizona for 10 years. For the past 5 years I have worked for a periodontist in Phoenix. I can say with great authority that Dr. Benting is an awesome dentist. His work is exquisite. Dr. Benting is truly a wonderful person. He is very caring and gentle. Dr. Benting is really good at figuring out complex dental problems that have elusive solutions. The whole experience with his office is as it should be. Kerry is an excellent dental hygienist. She is the one I choose to clean my teeth. If I did not clean my wife’s teeth personally I would send her to Kerry. I am aware of two other dentists whom are patients of Dr. Benting and it would not surprise me if there were more. Dr. Benting is my dentist and I feel blessed that he is.

Thank you and your staff for making what I believed was going to be a horrendous process turn out to be a very comfortable and easy experience. You and your staff have been very kind, gracious, and personable yet professional. You are wonderful people doing wonderful things for myself and many others.

Many many thanks and an abundance of appreciation,