New Year New You... Snap-on-Smile

If you have been hiding your smile due to crooked, broken , discolored, or missing teeth, give us a call and see how easy it is to change your smile and your life.

People working in the public or looking for a new job know how important a great smile is.

People who never smiled before are smiling all of the time now.

If you were not blessed a great smile and could not afford a dental cosmetic makeover, you have another option. The Snap-on-Smile.

Since becoming a Snap-on-Smile provider, I have been overwhelmed by the positive response by patients who have literally had their lives changed.

One of my favorite parts of the dental profession is helping people improve their looks and thus their outlook on life. The introduction of this new technique to dentistry has made having a beautiful smile affordable to all.

Watch this video to see testimonials

check out our website for more details www.drneal.com

Phillip C. Neal DDS

Cash for Candy Recap

We colected over 850 pounds of candy this year for the troops.The Warriors Watch Veterans showed up in force and applauded each person who exchanged candy for cash. Star 105 radio came out and interviewed the veterans, children and myself about the program.

Thanks to all who participated in this great program. If you wish to participate, you can write cards of support, donate cash, or personal hygiene items to Operation Gratitude for inclusion. The cost of delivering a box to each member of the service overseas has risen to $11.00 each. Follow the link below if you wish to donate.

http://www.opgratitude.com/

Phillip C. Neal DDS

Happy Holidays

Here is a little video that may lighten up your spirits.

Phillip C. Neal DDS

Halloween Candy Buy Back Program

Halloween Tradition

Each year, we send our children out in costumes to collect mountains of candy. Much of the treasure is consumed immediately. However, much of it is eaten over the course of days or weeks. Now no one really thinks that all of that sugar is really good for kids, yet we don't know what to do with the candy. You have heard of "Cash for Clunkers", how about "Cash for Candy"

Cash for Candy

Well we have a great program to dump that candy and let the kids convert it to cash. We will provide $1.00 for each pound of wrapped candy the children bring in. This candy is then distributed to our troops overseas for the holidays. Last year we collected over 1300 pounds of candy for the troops along with a giant card signed by all of the children. There will be refreshments, and light up toothbrushes for the kids. Adults can sign up for a chance to win an IPod.

When and Where

Sunday November 1 from12:00PM to 4:00PM

Crystal Lake Dental Associates

280 B Memorial Court

Crystal Lake Illinois 60014

phone 815 459 2202

Go to our home page and click on the pumpkin to see some photos from last year's event.

www.drneal.com

Have a safe and fun Halloween

Phillip C. Neal DDS

Summer and Simple Pleasures

Summer Fun
Summer time should be a time of enjoying the harvest of great fresh foods. Brbecues, and picnics abound along with summer festivals.

Not so Fun
For many people who have lost some or all of their teeth, simple pleasures like eating apples, pears, plumbs, peaches, corn on the cob, ribs and chicken on the bone, are gone. As a college student, I remember my mother in law (a denture wearer) cutting off the corn and eating it with a fork, and cutting apples and other fruit up prior to eating. She had to cut meat off the bone also prior to eating it. I was young at time and did not really understand the impact of this ritual. I was not aware that with your palate your covered by a denture sense of taste and enjoyment also suffered.

Denture wearers develop only about 30% of the chewing efficiency due to the denture resting on soft tissues of the mouth. These losses of biting, chewing and taste can also be compounded by difficulty with dentures slipping out of place. this can lead to potential speech problems due to lack of retention. The longer a person wears dentures, the greater the jaw bone loss. At some point, the denture has no supporting bone to stabilize it and no amount of adhesive will suffice.

Good News
The good news is that dental implants can stabilize a denture, or replace it completely. Mini and standard implants can stabilize a denture where severe bone loss has already occurred. Dental implants strengthen the bone and reduce bone loss. Dental implants can replace one tooth or several teeth. If you have an existing partial or denture and wish to find a better solution, consider dental implants.

I am certified to places standard and mini dental implants. I have helped many people get back to the simple pleasures of eating talking and smiling with a beautiful result.

Learn more about dental implants click here

Phillip C. Neal DDS

Dentist as a Physician of the Mouth

A visit to the dentist can save your life.
Since most people that go to the dentist two times a year, we are able to see a patient much more often for screening than a physician. We can identify situations earlier which gives a better prognosis. Typically patients only go to a physician when they know they have a problem. This is later in the stage of a condition usually requiring more extensive care, higher cost, with poorer outcomes. We at Crystal Lake Dental Associates provide the highest level of screening available in a dental office in the area.

Medical Conditions that may be Discovered
There are several medical conditions that can be detected or suspected during a routine dental visit including:

High Blood Pressure
Low Blood Oxygen Levels
Abnormal Pulse Rates
Oral Cancer
Acid Reflux/GERD
Bulimia
TMJ Dysfunction
Sleep Apnea
Bruxismal Migraines
Leukemia
Oral Herpes
Infections Originating Elsewhere that have Spread to the Mouth.
HIV AIDS
Abscessed Teeth Causing Bone Infections
Tumors in Bone
Osteoporosis
Diabetes
Autoimmune Diseases
Anemia
Diseases of Malnutrition

Through a combination of screening, health history and consultation with a patient, we can help uncover a problem and make recommendations to correct the situation. We may be able to treat the problem or we will refer for the proper care.

Dental conditions that are screened for
Dental conditions we screen for include:

Tooth Decay
Periodontal Disease
malocclusion
Excessive Tooth Wear or Fracture
TMJ Pain
Bruxism
Erosion of Enamel from Acid (GERD, Acid Reflux, Bulimia, Excessive use of Sugar/Acid Drinks and Food)
Abscessed Teeth Requiring Root Canal or Extraction
Impacted teeth (improper eruption)
Missing Teeth
Mobile Teeth
Gum Recession
Sores and Infections of the Soft Tissue, Tongue and Salivary Glands
Habits Causing Destruction of Teeth and Gums


Phillip C. Neal DDS

FDA Issues Ruling on Mercury in Dental Amalgam

Here is a news article on the results.


FDA NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: July 28, 2009
Media Inquiries: Peper Long, 301-796-4671, mary.long@fda.hhs.govConsumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA
FDA Issues Final Regulation on Dental Amalgam
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today issued a final regulation classifying dental amalgam and its component parts – elemental mercury and a powder alloy—used in dental fillings. While elemental mercury has been associated with adverse health effects at high exposures, the levels released by dental amalgam fillings are not high enough to cause harm in patients.
The regulation classifies dental amalgam into Class II (moderate risk). By classifying a device into Class II, the FDA can impose special controls (in addition to general controls such as good manufacturing practices that apply to all medical devices regardless of risk) to provide reasonable assurance of the safety and effectiveness of the device.
The special controls that the FDA is imposing on dental amalgam are contained in a guidance document that contains, among other things, recommendations on performance testing, device composition, and labeling statements.
Specifically, the FDA recommended that the product labeling include:
A warning against the use of dental amalgam in patients with mercury allergy;
A warning that dental professionals use adequate ventilation when handling dental amalgam;
A statement discussing the scientific evidence on the benefits and risk of dental amalgam, including the risks of inhaled mercury vapor. The statement will help dentists and patients make informed decisions about the use of dental amalgam.
Dental amalgam is a “pre-amendment device,” which means that it was in use prior to May 28, 1976, when the FDA was given broad authority to regulate medical devices. That law required the FDA to issue regulations classifying pre-amendment devices according to their risk into class I, II, or III. Although the FDA previously had classified the two separate parts of amalgam – elemental mercury and the metal powder alloy – it had not issued a separate regulation classifying the combination of the two, dental amalgam. During this time, however, dental amalgam has been subject to all applicable provisions of the law.
Today’s regulation also reclassifies the mercury component of dental amalgam from Class I (low risk) to Class II (moderate risk).
Over the past six years, the FDA has taken several steps to assure that the classification of dental amalgam is supported by strong science.
In 2002, the agency issued a proposed rule to classify dental amalgam and identify any special controls necessary for its safe and effective use.
Due to a high number of comments on that rule, the agency held an advisory committee meeting in 2006, inviting dental and neurology experts to review existing scientific data on dental amalgam, especially with regard to its toxicity in pregnant women and children.
The agency drafted a review of recent and relevant peer-reviewed scientific literature on exposure to dental amalgam mercury. The advisory committee asked that the agency conduct an even deeper review of the scientific literature on this topic. In all, the agency considered some 200 scientific studies.On April 28, 2008, the FDA reopened the comment period on the 2002 proposed classification in order to elicit the most up-to-date comments and information related to classification of dental amalgam. Today’s rule reflects the years of agency review on this topic.

If you are concerned about Mercury fillings in your mouth, you should consult your dentist about having them removed.

Phillip C. Neal DDS