This blog is dedicated to dental health and how it relates to a person's overall health. I will post articles and subjects relevant to today's most forward thinking on dental health, beauty, and comfort. Your participation and comemnts are welcomed in order to enrich the experience. Dr. Neal
Monday, June 29, 2009
Summer is the time we all look forward to travel, vacations, festivals, cookouts, and just plain getting out for any good reason.
Many people like to work on their summer tan as it gives them a glow. Another way to enhance your looks is teeth whitening. The effect of more color in your face and whiter teeth is quite dramatic.
It has been said that people with a great smile look more intelligent and fun to be with.
We at Crystal Lake Dental Associates can help you have that dazzling smile very inexpensively. We have a new program called " White teeth for Life" that can help you keep that bright smile year round. We also offer a Wednesday ZOOM in office teeth whitening special. Click here for details on affordable teeth whitening.
Summer is also the time to plan all of the little things parents need to accomplish before school starts up again. Yes it is time to plan the trips for clothes, books, and those checkups at the doctor and dentist. It is important to schedule early as the days fill up quickly for those appointments.
We know that Back-To-School costs can mount so we have our own new patient "Economic Stimulus Package" Click here to see our new patient Summer special offer.
Meanwhile have a terrific summer and enjoy yourself.
Phillip C.Neal DDS
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
I recently started a husband and wife on Invisalign for minor correction of their teeth. I had originally mentioned our Rapid Clear Braces for him but, as a teacher, he felt Invisalign was a better option. I could see his point.
Invisalign is a great option for many adults and teens who do not want the stigma that accompanies traditional braces. Invisalign is a comfortable, user friendly way to correct an imperfect smile. Also it can prepare the way for other smile enhancements and restorative dentistry.
I have not had any patient who has been disappointed with the process or the result. None has wished to change over to traditional braces in the process. Visits are quick and easy. Discomfort is minimal. There are no poking wires or brackets to contend with.
With the coming of the summer months, we have decided to make Invisalign more available to people by adjusting our fee. The average treatment time for Invisalign is only about 11 months. For anyone desiring to start Invisalign before September 30, the fee range for treatment is $3500 or less. There is no charge for a workup and consultation.
I also offer Rapid Clear Braces for patients who want to complete treatment in just a few months.
Perhaps now is the time to consider a tune-up for yor smile with Invisalign.
Call our office at 815 459 2202 for a free consultation or
click here to contact us
Dr. Neal
Friday, June 5, 2009
The majority of my patients with serious periodontal disease are tobacco users. Interestingly enough, the use of tobacco also causes difficulty in treating these people as they will not heal as well following any procedure involving the tissues. In fact they also have a harder time getting numb, and have more post treatment sensitivity. This has something to do with the way the chemicals in tobacco affect the microcirculation, and the nervous system. Tobacco users will have more dry sockets after an extraction, slower healing and more post operative pain.
The stain caused by tobacco on teeth is extremely difficult to remove and usually requires extensive scraping with hand instruments as well as ultrasonic cleaning, and a prophyjet. We have to allow extra time to clean a smoker's teeth. It also takes longer to chart the mouth as they will have more gum pockets, and the areas are more sensitive to the periodontal measuring. Often topical anesthetic is needed to take the periodontal readings.
We all know the bad breath generated by tobacco use. A good dental cleaning will not remove this odor as it is imbedded in the tongue and other tissues.
In addition, Tobacco users have a much higher incidence of oral cancer as well as heart disease and lung disease.
Just my 2 cents worth
Phillip C. Neal DDS
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Welcome to My Dental blog page
Welcome to my blog page.
I will be posting the latest content in dentistry and dental health. Dental health is a major component of a totally healthy body. Today's topic is Mercury fillings.
I no longer place Mercury fillings for the reasons listen below.
Mercury is released into the patient on placement , any time the filling is rubbed during eating, gum chewing, bruxism (nervous grinding of your teeth), and upon removal from your tooth.
Mercury is poisoning our waste water system. The placement and removal of mercury fillings is causing huge amounts of mercury to be dumped into our waste water system form the dental office.
Mercury fillings have been banned in several European countries already and I believe will be banned in the United States.
The FDA now states that mercury fillings should not be placed in pregnant women and young children.
Mercury damages nerve tissue among other organs in the body and has been blamed for possible links to many other diseases in the past few years.
Mercury fillings leak constantly at the edge between the filling and the tooth, and as such there is small amounts of decay found under these fillings routinely. Mercury fillings are not bonded to the tooth with any adhesive . They oxidize over time and this "rust" is supposed to seal the tooth underneath from bacteria. 90% of the time decay can be found under normal looking fillings according to some studies.
Mercury fillings crack teeth. They expand and contract with temperature changes from the foods you eat and can split a tooth in half in time. These cracked teeth need a new restoration as soon as possible. If not treated quickly the tooth could need a crown, root canal, or removal.
Mercury fillings are just plain ugly. I constantly have patients asking me to remove the black fillings that are corroding and causing their teeth to turn grey, black, and blue.
On my web page http://www.drneal.com/pages/library/mercuryfillings.htm Mercury Fillings, are they safe? I cite references and images to better understand my position.
Dr. Neal
www.drneal.com
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.