Crystal Lake Dental Associates is helping restock local food pantries
Call
815 459 2202
Dr. Neal answers all of your questions about dental care at Crystal Lake Dental Associates.
Your comments are welcome
Friday, October 19, 2012
Monday, October 1, 2012
National Dental Hygiene Month-Crystal Lake Dentist
October is National Dental Hygiene Month
If you are due or overdue for your checkup, this is a good time to make an appointment. The back to school rush is over and the kids are now in a routine. You have a schedule now that you know so you can check your calendar and give your dentist a call.
If you do not have a dentist, and you live in or near Crystal Lake, we are taking new patients. Our Motto is "Pampered Patients...State of the Art Dental Care".
What to expect
Dental insurance
We are on several dental plans, so your insurance should work fine with our office... a quick call will help find out if we are a good office for your plan.We are very knowledgeable about dental insurance, and can help you determine any out of pocket costs. In addition we have many ways and plans to help you pay your portion.
What we do
We do take great interest in your entire well being and will take a medical/dental history as well as encourage to tell us about your wants, needs and fears.
The dental hygienist will greet you and review your information. We recommend a current set of radiographs and can assist you if current films are at another office. We will do a thorough examination of your mouth including oral cancer screening. Your gums and teeth will be evaluated along with your bite and TMJ. Dr. Neal will review your findings and concerns. If all is great, the hygienist will clean your teeth and we will schedule in our recare system to keep your mouth healthy and clean, If there is any dental care needed, we will go over the appointments and any fees.
To learn more about our office, please visit our website at http://DrNeal.com
Call today for an appointment! 815 459 2202
Dr. Neal answers all of your questions about dental care at Crystal Lake Dental Associates.
Your comments are welcome
drneal.comdrneal.com
Monday, September 24, 2012
Teeth in an Hour, Teeth in a Day, All on 4, All on 6, Zygoma Implants- Crystal Lake Dental Associates
Teeth in an Hour- what is it?
Teeth in a day, Teeth in an Hour, All on 4, All on 6, Zygoma implants
These phrases all refer to a basic stabilizing effect of locking
4 or more angled implants together at the time of placement in the jaw in a temporary
fixed bridge or modified denture.
Am I a candidate for Teeth in an Hour?
If you have few or no teeth, an existing denture you wish to
get rid of, you are probably a candidate. In the past, bone grafting and long
healing periods were needed to provide enough bone for implant supported fixed
bridges. With 3D CT scans, and new techniques, we are often able to locate enough usable bone for implant
placement.
When adequate bone is identified in certain areas, a surgeon-dentist-lab
technician team can simultaneously place implants, and secure them with special
parts to a pre-made or existing bridge or denture. In this way a patient can
walk in with no teeth (or a removable denture) and walk out the same day with a
fixed set of teeth.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Teeth in an Hour
The advantages of this technique are:
- Ease
of the procedure
- Ability
to avoid painful bone grafting procedures
- Potential
of immediate loading at the surgical appointment
- Decreased
cost to the patient
- Drastically
improved aesthetics
- Can be
performed on the partially or fully edentulous patient
- Ease
of maintenance
- Can be done as a flapless procedure when using NobelGuide™ guided surgery protocol
The
main disadvantage is
- Cost verses a conventional denture (or implant/ mini implant retained lower denture).
Does everyone get the same set of teeth in “Teeth in an Hour”?
Your fixed bridge is customized just for you. There are
several different configurations and combinations of implants and fixed bridges
that will work. Much of the decision on which combination will work best is
dependant on the location and amount of available bone as well as the patient’s
esthetic and speech requirements.
Getting started
In order to get started, you can schedule a free
consultation with Dr. Neal to discuss your particular needs and he can give you
an estimated fee range fro your situation. After this Dr. Neal can schedule the
appropriate records needed to begin. You will meet with Dr. Neal and the
surgeon to plan your transformation day.
After the placement of the implants and fixed bridge, you
will have a few follow up appointments to observe proper healing and fit of the
bridge.
Final fixed Bridge
At about 6 months,
the implants will be evaluated for integration and placement of the final fixed
bridge.
Do I need to go to one of the large clinics for this procedure?
Many local dental offices offer this great service. These
offices work closely with the local oral surgeon and dental lab to provide the
same level of care as the larger centrally located implant clinic. In addition
you have the advantage of a neighborhood dentist to maintain your new implant
supported fixed bridge as well as all of your, and your family’s regular dental
care.
Dr Neal has been restoring implants for decades. In addition
he has been placing and maintaining his own implants for the past 10 years.
Call today for an appointment! 815 459 2202
Dr. Neal answers all of your questions about, Teeth in a Day, Teeth in an Hour, All on 4, All on 6, Dental Implants, Bridges, Dentures, and Implant Supported Dentures, and Fixed Bridges Crystal Lake Dental Associates.
Phillip C. Neal DDS
Crystal Lake Dental Associates
280 B Memorial Court
Crystal Lake, Illinois 60014
drneal.com
Call today for an appointment! 815 459 2202
Dr. Neal answers all of your questions about, Teeth in a Day, Teeth in an Hour, All on 4, All on 6, Dental Implants, Bridges, Dentures, and Implant Supported Dentures, and Fixed Bridges Crystal Lake Dental Associates.
Your comments are welcome
Phillip C. Neal DDS
Crystal Lake Dental Associates
280 B Memorial Court
Crystal Lake, Illinois 60014
drneal.com
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Dental Humor-Crystal Lake Dentist
A little dental humor to brighten your day.
Have a great day and keep smiling
Phillip C. Neal DDS
Crystal Lake Dental Associates
280 B Memorial Court
Crystal Lake, Illinois 60014
815 459 2202 drneal.com
Monday, September 10, 2012
Sealants, Invisalign, braces,and Crowns in September-Crystal Lake Dentist
Exciting things going on since it's my birthday including these offers:
1 half (1/2) off all sealants during September
2 Invisalign special extended all month ($1,000 off all Invisalign and regular ortho cases)
3 crown day Sept 26th ($200 off all crowns that day).
Call today for an appointment! 815 459 2202
Dr. Neal answers all of your questions about Sealants, Invisalign, and Crowns at Crystal Lake Dental Associates.
Phillip C. Neal DDS
Crystal Lake Dental Associates
280 B Memorial Court
Crystal Lake, Illinois 60014
drneal.com
Friday, September 7, 2012
Dentures, Implants,Overdentures-Crystal Lake Dentist
New hope for denture wearers
Denture wearers now have options to improve retention with
snap attachments to dental implants and mini dental implants.
Some of the more popular methods to convert an ill fitting
lower dentures are:
- A bar connecting 2 or more implants called a hader bar or a bar with individual snaps
- Independent regular implants snaps to retain a denture
- Mini implants that can snap over an o-rings in a metal housing held in the denture.
Details
I have worked with all three of these snap-on systems and
each has its particular advantages and disadvantages. I will cover them in more
detail below.
The hader bar
The hader bar consists of 2
or more implants and a custom cast metal bar connecting the implants. The
denture houses one or more metal retainers and plastic clips.
The advantages of
this system are:
1. The
implants do not have to be placed parallel (which is challenging to do and not
always possible).
2. The
retention is good and depending on the configuration, one or several retentive
clips can be placed increasing retention.
3. If
the bar has implants placed in both the back and front areas of the jaws, there
is almost no movement of the denture during use.
4. Can
be used for upper and lower dentures.
5. Implants
can be loaded immediately if planned and a computer generated surgical guide
system with CT scan is utilized. The implants are splinted with the computer milled titanium bar
.
The disadvantages are:
- Full sized implants must be placed.
- The cast bar increases the cost.
- The casting steps to the process
- Due to the height needed some patients may not have enough vertical space available for this type if retention system unless the bite is opened or the bone is surgically lowered.
- The cost is highest due to the type of implants needed, the lab procedures for the cast bar, and additional appointments.
Cast bar with ERA or Locator attachments
This type of system utilizes a
cast bar and has 2 to several retentive clips soldered onto it. The 2 most
common brands of clips are Locator and ERA.
The
advantages of this system are:
1. The
implants do not have to be parallel (which is challenging to do and not always possible).
2. The
retention can be increased with multiple clips.
3. If
the bar has implants placed in both the back and front areas of the jaws, there
is almost no movement of the denture during use.
4. Can
be used for upper and lower dentures.
The disadvantages are:
1. Full
sized implants must be placed.
- The cast bar increases the .
- The casting adds steps to the process.
- Due to the height needed some patients may not have enough vertical space without modification.
- The cost is highest due to the type of implants needed, the lab procedures for the cast bar, and additional appointments.
Locator clip or ERA clip
The Locator/ERA type clip can be
directly attached to 2 or more regular sized implants and provide good
retention.
The advantages of these systems are:
1. Lower
cost than the bar system.
2. Less
time involved in fabricating as it is done chairside.
3. Less
vertical clearance is needed verses a bar system.
4. Can
be used for upper and lower dentures.
Mini Implant system
The Mini implant system consists
of 4 or more implants placed in the across the front of the lower jaw and
housings placed in the lowe3r denture with o-rings for retention.
The advantages are:
1. Immediate
loading of the implants (the entire process from implant placement to denture
housing and loading of the housings can be done in about 1 hour
2. Lowest
cost of all. Lower cost of the mini implants (about ½ the cost of conventional
implants each).
3. Less
bone is required for placement in atrophic jaws
4. Fast
healing as no tissue flaps are needed in most cases to view the site
5. Less
discomfort due to the smaller size and simple placement technique
6. Do
not have to be perfectly parallel with each other
Disadvantages are:
1. Can
only be placed in lower jaw due to lower density of the bone in the upper jaw.
2. May
not be able eliminate some slight denture movement in the back when chewing
(usually not a problem)
3. Cannot
be mixed with regular implants very easily.
Dr. Neal answers all of your questions about implants, dentures, and overdentures at Crystal Lake Dental Associates.
Phillip C. Neal DDS
Crystal Lake Dental Associates
280 B Memorial Court
Crystal Lake, Illinois 60014
Phillip C. Neal DDS
Crystal Lake Dental Associates
280 B Memorial Court
Crystal Lake, Illinois 60014
www.DrNeal.com
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Back to School-Crystal Lake Dentist
Back to school, back to the dentist.
 |
| Back to school planning |
Tooth decay is one of the biggest health issues
among children, accounting for over 51 million hours of school time lost
every year. What’s more, poor dental
health in youth can lead to chronic problems like discomfort, difficulty
chewing and the need for painful and expensive procedures down the road.
 |
| Child dental exams an important of back-to-school plans |
Regular
dental exams do more than catch tooth decay. They also let us see if teeth are growing in properly, monitor
the results of their brushing and flossing techniques (and give lessons,
if necessary), and apply fluoride
treatments or protective sealants
that can prevent decay before it
happens. If your kids play sports or engage in other activities that might
cause oral injuries, we can fit them for protective
mouth guards.
 |
| Mouthguards are important in protecting your teeth during sports |
So
while you’re making back-to-school
plans, plan on bringing your kids in
for a visit. And for extra credit, try these fun tips for sending them to
school with a smile:
 |
| Pick up dental supplies during back-to-school shopping |
1.
Buy new toothbrushes: While they’re getting new notebooks,
pens and other supplies, why not let them pick out a new toothbrush? While you’re at it, pick up two — one for home and one
to bring to school.
2.
Make
a dental care kit for school: To encourage them to brush after lunch and snacks, buy a
zippered plastic-lined bag and include a
toothbrush, toothpaste and floss.
3.
Pack
dental-friendly lunches and snacks: Fruit, nuts, string cheese and
bottled water are all good choices. Avoid sticky foods like raisins or fruit
leather, as they can cause cavities.
4.
Start
a reward system: Encourage good dental
exams like you encourage good grades — with a prize like a night at the
movies, a new video game or other coveted item.
 |
| Add a reward system to your routine for better dental checkups |
Need to make an appointment for your
kids, or even yourself?
Simply call 815 459 2202 today.
Phillip C. Neal DDSCrystal Lake Dental Associates280 B Memorial CourtCrystal Lake, Illinois 60014 815 459 2202
www.DrNeal.com
Your comments are welcome
Monday, June 18, 2012
HPV Oral Cancer in the News Crystal Lake Dentist
HPV (Human Papilloma
Virus) Incidence Rising.
 |
| A virus lives inside a cell |
What is HPV?
HPV is a group viruses.
These like all viruses live inside cells. When they enter a cell, they take
over and use the cell's reproductive capacity to reproduce themselves and thus
spread. Most viruses have a short life outside the body and are usually species specific
(you cannot catch a virus from your dog and vice versa).
The HPV virus causes a
type of wart (papilloma).
 |
| HPV papilloma on the skin |
What is the History of
HPV?
It was first discovered
in the 1950's. In 1972 the association with skin cancer and HPV5 was made. A
few years later it was learned that there was a link between HPV 16, HPV18 and
cervical cancers. More recently a link between these same HPV strains (16 and
18) and certain oral cancers has been established.
How is HPV passed?
 |
| HPV can be passed by kissing |
HPV is commonly considered a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD). Skin to skin contact is usually necessary
to pass the virus. A sexual act is not necessary to pass it. Deep Kissing and
Oral Sex can cause HPV infections of the mouth. It has been postulated that
drinking from the same glass has passed the virus from an infected individual to
another in rare instances.
What are the chances of getting HPV?
 |
| chances are high thay all of you will get HPV at some time |
Almost everyone will be infected with a strain
of HPV at some time in their life. There many strains of HPV. The
majority of these are usually self limiting and of no consequence.
Are some HPV infections
dangerous?
Some are dangerous but
most are not. Most of the time, HPV is self limiting. The virus can be dormant
for years and appear/reappear at any time. The body's natural immune system
normally will get rid of the virus.
Why is HPV on the rise?
Changes in sexual
activity are the driver in the increase of HIV, HPV, and other STD's. People
are experimenting with sex at very early ages. Oral sex has become very popular
as one way to prevent pregnancy. This is leading to a drastic rise in oral HPV
infections.
Why are we concerned
about oral HPV?
The 2 strains of HPV
that lead to cancer are causing a rapid increase in oral cancer among the younger
adult population. This group was low risk for oral cancer in the past and now
is the fastest growing group. Oral cancer has a low survival rate when detected
late.
What can be done HPV?
Parents, this means your
children are at risk as well as you. Since deep kissing is all that is needed
to pass this virus, children who are not sexually active can still develop oral
HPV and oral cancer.
- Changing social behavior though not easy is the best method of eliminating this epidemic.
- Consider getting vaccinated against the most common and deadly forms of HPV at an early age.
- Get yourself and your children tested for HPV.
- Make sure your gynecologist and dentist are doing regular cancer screenings.
What does the dentist
do?
 |
| a visual and digital oral cancer screening is a good start |
 |
| Vizilite for advanced oral cancer screening |
 |
| oral CDX swabbing a suspected area |
 |
| Velscope advanced oral cancer detection |
There are 4 ways that a
dentist can screen for oral cancer.
- A visual and digital exam (look and feel)
- A Vizilite exam using a dye and special light
- Oral CDX swab for cancer cells of a suspicious area
- Velscope exam ( a special light and filter)
Is something is unusual, the dentist
may want to check it again in 2 weeks to see if it has cleared up and or refer
for a biopsy.
What We Recommend.
If your dentist's office
is not doing at least a visual/ digital screening for oral cancer at every
checkup, find a new dentist. We use the Velscope
VX and strongly recommend an advanced oral tissue scan on everyone age 14 and
up every 6 months.
References for HPV vaccine.
Dr. Neal answers all of your questions about HPV and advanced oral cancer detection at Crystal Lake Dental Associates.drneal.com
Phillip C. Neal DDS
Crystal Lake Dental Associates
280 B Memorial Court
Crystal Lake, Illinois 60014
www.DrNeal.com
Your comments are welcome
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About Me
- Phillip C.Neal DDS
- Born in the Midwest. Married with 6 children and 3 grandchildren. Attended Maine West High School, Harper Jr College, Northern Illinois University, the University of Illinois College of Dentistry. Practice in Crystal Lake, Illinois.