Pamela Weitzel, DMD

Dental Services

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Cone-beam Computed Tomography Systems (CBCT)

Dental x-rays can be taken by a conventional dental x-ray machine (2D) or by a cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT) machine. These x-rays are 3D and can give additional information. A 2D x-ray takes dental structures that are three dimensional and makes them two dimensional. This can hide some things; similar to taking a picture of the front of a house in a way that does not show the back of the house is missing. With a 3D x-ray all sides of a dental structure are shown. The software running CBCT machines has improved in the last few years, reducing the amount of radiation to about the same or less than 2D dental x-ray machines.

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ClearCorrect Aligners (Braces)

ClearCorrect Aligners is a modern approach to straightening teeth, using a custom-made series of aligners. These aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic that you wear over your teeth. Wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place. There are no metal brackets to attach and no wires to tighten. The best part about the whole process is that most people will not even know you are straightening your teeth.

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Crowns

A crown is a type of dental restoration that completely covers a tooth or dental implant. Crowns are often needed when a large cavity threatens the ongoing health of a tooth. They are attached to the tooth using dental cement. Crowns can be made from various ceramics, metal or a combination of the two and are fabricated using indirect methods.

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Dental Bridges

A bridge, also known as a fixed partial denture, is a dental restoration used to replace a missing tooth or teeth by attaching the replacement tooth or teeth to adjacent teeth. A fixed partial denture is not taken out by the patient.

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Dental Cleanings

Dental cleaning is a procedure for the removal of calculus (tartar) and staining that may develop even with careful brushing and flossing, especially in areas that are difficult to reach. Dr. Weitzel does all dental cleanings at our office.

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Dental Fillings

A dental restoration or dental filling is the finished product after a dental restorative material has been used to restore the function, integrity and morphology of missing tooth structure. The structural loss is usually from caries (decay) or trauma. Fillings may be of amalgam, composite, porcelain or gold.

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Dental Implants

Dental implants are an alternative to other methods of replacing missing teeth. A dental implant is a titanium-based cylinder that replaces the missing tooth root. After a period of time, other parts are placed on the implant to enable the dentist to place a crown on the implant. Implants can also be used to support full or partial dentures, dramatically improving denture retention and stability.

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Dental X-Rays

Dental radiographs, commonly referred to as X-rays, are pictures of the teeth, bones, and surrounding soft tissues. They are used by the dentist to screen and help identify problems with the teeth, mouth, and jaw. X-ray pictures can show cavities, cancerous or benign masses, hidden dental structures (such as wisdom teeth), and bone loss that cannot be seen during a visual examination. Dental X-rays may also be done as follow-up after dental treatments.

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Dentures

Dentures (also known as false teeth) are prosthetic devices constructed to replace missing teeth and which are supported by surrounding soft tissues of the oral cavity. Conventional dentures replace all teeth; however there are many different denture designs, some of which rely on attaching or clasping onto teeth or dental implants.

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Extractions

A dental extraction is the removal of a tooth from the mouth. Extractions are performed for a wide variety of reasons, including tooth decay that has destroyed enough tooth structure to render the tooth non-restorable and extensive bone loss surrounding a tooth from periodontal disease.

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Partials

A removable partial denture is made for a dental patient who desires to have replacement teeth for functional or aesthetic reasons but cannot have a bridge (a fixed partial denture) for any number of reasons, such as a lack of required teeth to serve as support for a bridge or financial limitations.

This type of prosthesis is referred to as a removable partial denture because patients can remove and reinsert it when required without professional help. Conversely, a "fixed" prosthesis can and should be removed only by a dental professional.

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Root Canal Therapy

A root canal is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or becomes infected. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and blood supply (pulp) are removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. Without treatment, the tissue surrounding the tooth will become infected and an abscess may form.

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Scaling

Scaling and root planning is a thorough cleaning of the teeth under the gums. The gums encircle each tooth like a turtleneck. The top part of this turtleneck is not attached to the tooth or bone and bacteria, plaque and calculus can get under the gum ultimately damaging the bone that holds the teeth in the mouth. Removing these substances from under the gum helps stop the damage to the bone surrounding the teeth.

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Tooth Whitening

Bleaching or tooth whitening is a chemical process to lighten teeth. It generally works best on teeth that have darkened over time or are yellow, but it can be used on teeth that were stained by certain antibiotics (like tetracycline). Fillings and crowns and other dental restorations do not bleach.

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Veneers

A dental veneer is a thin layer of restorative material placed over the front of a tooth to improve the aesthetics of a tooth or to protect a damaged tooth surface. There are two main types of material used to fabricate a veneer, composite and dental ceramic. A composite veneer may be directly placed (built-up in the mouth), or indirectly fabricated by a dental technician in a dental laboratory and later bonded to the tooth, typically using a resin cement. In contrast, a ceramic veneer may only be indirectly fabricated.

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