Routine Recare Visit
This 6-month preventative care visit includes a dental exam and cleaning, x-rays, a fluoride treatment, and the opportunity to discuss oral cancer screening with Dr. Westerman.

Fillings, Crowns & Bridges
Whether you need a small filling or a have a bigger issue, we can help. Many cavities can be fixed with simple, popular tooth-colored fillings. Sometimes though, damage to a tooth is often too great to repair with a filling. Crowns are used to cover and recap damaged teeth, restoring them to their normal shape, while strengthening and improving their appearance. A fixed bridge is most commonly used when a patient has a missing tooth and you want to “bridge” the gap between the teeth. Crowns and bridges are constructed from a variety of materials, ranging in costs. Different materials may be chosen for you based on your particular case. Patients are also often referred to us to handle repairs and restorations to failed crowns and bridges.

Root Canals
The root canal procedure is performed to clean infected pulp out of the root canal of the tooth. This procedure allows the doctor to reshape the canal and fill it with a rubber-like substance called guttapercha to prevent recontamination of the tooth. The tooth is then permanently sealed with a crown made of porcelain or metal alloy. This process allows the patient to keep the original tooth and still guards against future infections.

Gum Disease
Bacterial plaque is recognized as the primary cause of gum disease. Without daily brushing and flossing, plaque hardens into a rough, porous substance commonly known as tartar. The hardened plaque releases toxins and bacteria, which irritates the gums and cause a breakdown of fibers that hold the gums tightly to the teeth. This creates periodontal pockets between the gums and the teeth, which fill with even more toxins and bacteria. As the disease progresses, the pockets extend deeper, and the bacteria can begin to affect the bone that anchors the tooth. Left untreated, gum disease can result in the tooth falling out, or required extraction of the tooth.

Whitening
First, it is important for Dr. Westerman to determine the type of whitening process that best suits your lifestyle, your dental history, and your budget. In-office bleaching is immediate and more costly, while the at-home version takes longer but is more economical.

ZOOM®
Zoom® is an in-office procedure that takes about 45 minutes and results in an average difference of 8 shades lighter. Zoom® provides immediate results, is long lasting, and is a safe and comfortable whitening option.

Traditional Trays
The traditional teeth whitening tray option allows Dr. Westerman to give you a teeth whitening system that is specifically designed for your mouth. Dr. Westerman will take an impression of your smile, create a tray just for you, and then send you home with a teeth whitening system that best fits your lifestyle.

Whitestrips® At-home Systems
Whitening at home is an economical and effective way to get that brighter smile we all want. With Crest Whitestrips, you'll get whiter teeth with the same enamel-safe ingredients that Dr. Westerman would use to whiten your teeth.

Veneers & Porcelain Restorations
Veneers & Porcelain restorations are extremely thin shells of ceramic or composite resin that are bonded to the front of the patient's teeth. This procedure requires little or no anesthesia, and can mask tooth damage caused by root canals, discolored fillings, and injuries. In addition, veneers allow Dr. Westerman to close gaps between front teeth and repair chipped teeth.

Extractions & Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom tooth extraction involves accessing the tooth through the soft and hard tissues, detaching the connective tissue between the tooth and the bone, and removing the tooth. This process can be performed under local anesthesia, and has a relatively short recovery time.

On a general tooth extraction, Dr. Westerman will numb the area to lessen the discomfort. After the extraction, Dr. Westerman will advise each patient on proper care of the area and what to expect through the healing process.

Invisalign®
Invisalign consists of a series of aligners that the patient switches about every two weeks. Each aligner is individually manufactured with exact calculations to gradually shift the teeth into place. Invisalign is a customized, effective, and comfortable alternative to braces.

TMJ & Bruxism
Bruxism causes the tips of the teeth to look flat, and is the result of the teeth wearing down so much that the enamel is rubbed off. This exposes the inside of the tooth, called dentin, and causes the patient's teeth to become sensitive. Bruxers may experience pain in their temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which can manifest as popping and clicking in the jaw.

Pediatric Dentistry
Ideally, parents should begin taking their child to the dentist 6 months after the child's first tooth appears. This is the perfect time for the dentist to carefully examine the development of your child's mouth, and because dental problems start early, preventative care is always the least painful and most effective.

Bonding
Bonding is a tooth-colored material used to fill in gaps or change the color of the patient's teeth. Bonding lasts for several years and requires only a single office visit. While bonding is more susceptible to staining or chipping than other forms of restoration, it is ideal for only slightly chipped or decayed teeth, and can be used to fill small cavities.

Sealants
Paired with good oral health care, sealants are 100% effective against cavities in teeth that are properly sealed and maintained. This procedure is minimally invasive, safe and effective, and is more economical than getting a cavity filled.