Not everyone loves going to the dentist, but Dr. Jeffrey A. Weller tries to make a trip to his office as stress-free as he
can by really getting to know his patients and their needs. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEL LERNER
When you’re looking for someone to help improve a smile or your overall mouth health, you want someone who truly cares about the work and patient outcomes. Dr. Jeffrey A. Weller of Weller Dental is one of those practitioners—someone who listens to his patients, understands their concerns and creates a roadmap for his patients to help them feel confident and happy.
“Every day I am fortunate to make people healthy and feel good about themselves through their smiles,” Dr. Weller says. “This unique opportunity to treat patients that have put their trust in me is truly my greatest reward. I have the best job—I get to be creative and utilize an engineering mindset to create beautiful, long-lasting smiles that make others feel good. Making others smile is best gift I can give anyone, and it’s my job.”
That’s the passion Dr. Weller still has after 30 years in the industry. After graduating from what was then Illinois Benedictine College in Lisle, Dr. Weller attended the University of Illinois Dental School until 1986. After practicing for 10 years, he turned his focus from general dentistry to cosmetic dentistry.
“I pride myself on continuing education and have received advance training in cosmetic, functional, and implant dentistry by the Rosenthal Institute NYU, Spears Education, and the Dawson Institute,” he says.
He also has lectured on Dental Implant Restorative and Functional cosmetic dentistry. He is truly an expert in his field. Now Dr. Weller has two offices—one in Chicago and his satellite practice here in Hinsdale that he opened in 2012. His customized approach to patient care is one of the reasons that Dr. Weller consistently gets glowing reviews from his patients. Plus, he understands that not everyone likes going to the dentist, and they have concerns.
“But we try to educate them that being more proactive, like having maintenance visits more regularly like 3 to 4 times a year, helps keep their mouth healthier,” he says. “The biggest misconception is that if it does not hurt, why should they fix it? Everything must be OK. But by the time a tooth hurts, you are in a far worse condition then you needed to be in, and are most likely spending much more money.” Dental and oral care has changed quite a bit during Dr. Weller’s 30-year career—and definitely for the better. Dentistry has become more focused on function and comfort,” he says. “This makes dental restorations last longer. Technology has enhanced proper diagnosis and accuracy. We now know more how conditions like sleep apnea, TMJ dysfunction, eating disorders, and acid reflux have a negative effect on our teeth. This knowledge helps in a more comprehensive diagnosis and a better long-term prognosis.”
Plus, the materials and preparations for cosmetic and restorative dentistry continue to improve.
“We are seeing more conservative preparations for crowns and veneers due to the advances in porcelain and elimination of most metal restorations. We are seeing advancements also in implant dentistry and are able to accomplish better-looking restorations due to advancements in planning, custom connection pieces, and prettier porcelain restorations,” he says.
One of the latest additions to Dr. Weller’s vast offerings is DuraThin veneers—the most customizable and conservative veneer in the marketplace. “They transform your smile without even drilling on patient’s natural teeth,” he says.
“It is the first time a truly non-prep veneer can be customized by me, so I can give patients the smiles they desire.”
Dr. Weller’s Chicago office has been a mainstay for many years, but he moved to Hinsdale with his wife and sons 13 years ago. Opening his second office in Hinsdale in 2012 is one of the best career decisions he has made, for a two key reasons—his boys.
“I am much closer to my boys Nicolas, 12, and Marcus, 10. My boys get to see me at work and have a better understanding of what their dad does every day, and it has opened their eyes to how hard I work. And by having an office in the Gold Coast in Chicago and in Hinsdale, my patients refer their friends and family to both offices, and it seems to work perfectly,” Dr. Weller says. “Ever since I was in the second grade I knew I wanted to be a dentist. My mother told me at that time that to own a Jeep like my Uncle Danny who was a dentist, I had to become a dentist. Although I have never owned a Jeep, it stuck with me and gave me something to aspire to.”
Learn more about Dr. Weller by visiting wellerdental.com or by calling 630-654-2900. His local practice is located at 920 N. York Road in Hinsdale.
