Friday, August 26, 2011

A Gum disease form causing severe bad breath called NUG-Crystal Lake Dentist



Acute NUG, a form of gum disease
How does NUG cause bad breath?
The bacteria in plaque give a fetid odor. The odor can also come from dying tissue in the infected areas. Often the bad breath is what causes a person to seek help from a dentist.

What is NUG?
NUG (Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis) is a gum infection. NUG has also been called “trench mouth” and “Vincent’s infection” after the doctor that first described it. The combination of bacteria in NUG does not like oxygen.  We call these bacteria anaerobes.

What causes NUG?
NUG appears in persons who are run down, suffering severe stress, poor diet, lack of rest, or immune compromised. NUG was quite common in the troops during World War I. It is usually seen in young adults and adolescents. NUG is less common today in the United States except for populations with HIV. NUG is not considered contagious.

What does NUG do?
The bacteria in NUG grow in plaque on the teeth and gums. Once the infection occurs, it can begin to destroy the gums and bone around the teeth. If the infection becomes acute (ANUG), it causes severe damage the gums and bone.

Is NUG painful?
It can be quite painful in the acute form. The gums can be puffy, swollen, red, and ooze pus. The lymph nodes can become swollen. You can feel run down feverish and lose your appetite.

How is NUG treated?
The treatment consists of a round of antibiotics, peroxide rinses and cleaning by a dental professional.

Can you get NUG more than once?
For most people this will not happen. If you are immune compromised, you are at risk of a repeat infection.

Have you treated many NUG patients?
I see a case every year or so. They have all been successfully treated with the method described above.

Dr. Neal at Crystal Lake Dental Associates answers all of your questions about gum disease and bad breath.

 Your Comments are welcome.


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Saturday, August 6, 2011

Adult checkup at Crystal Lake Dental Asociates

What is a typical Adult checkup at Crystal Lake Dental Associates?
Checkup at Crystal Lake Dental
Associates

In the past, going to the dentist for a checkup meant updating your address, phone, and insurance info followed by a quick glance in your mouth, annual x-rays if needed, check for cavities with a probe, a cleaning, and perhaps a new toothbrush. In no treatment is needed the office will recommend that you come back in 6 months.
We now know that patients want and deserve better care than that.
We have broken the mold and for the past several years, we have been offering a superior service!

What we do during atypical adult checkup and professional cleaning appointment:
  •  Update your personal information including your health history 1
  • Screen annually for Sleep Apnea 2
  • Offer comprehensive oral cancer screening annually 3
  • Take your blood pressure 4
  • Do a digital and visual oral cancer screening ₅
  • Take needed digital x-rays annually or if there is a concern ₆
  • A complete periodontal probing ₇
  • Laser DIAGNOdent© cavity detection as well as a traditional explorer probe ₈
  • Provide a professional cleaning
  • Offer fluoride for adults ₉
  • Intra-oral camera exam ₁₀
  • Recommend a customized checkup and professional cleaning schedule that fits your needs ₁₁
  • Recommend needed treatment and offer videos to help explain the condition and recommended procedures. ₁₂
  • All of our hygienists and the doctor uses magnification during your examination and treatment₁₃

What else do we do?

  • We offer in addition to our wide variety of magazines, complimentary refreshments including fresh brewed coffees ₁₄ and cappuccino etc, warm hand waxing, pillows, blankets, TV in treatment rooms, complimentary ring and glasses cleaning.
  • Unless otherwise needed, the doctor’s exam₁₅ is only performed annually as a convenience and cost saving to you.
  •  For our sensitive and anxious patients, oral pre-medication and laughing gas (Nitrous Oxide) are available.

A typical new Patient examination is a bit different as explained below.*

Adult new patient exam consists of:
  • A complete health and dental history
  • Gathering necessary personal information for our files as needed Address Phone, insurance etc..
  • Interview with the doctor and/or hygienist
  • Take needed digital x-rays
  • Complete dental charting of all teeth, existing restorations, pathology, and periodontal screening
  • Oral cancer digital, and visual exam and intra oral camera exam, 1₅ 
  • Face and smile photos for a baseline ₁₆
  • Sleep Apnea screening
  • Examine the bite, range of jaw movement, TMJ and muscles
  • Taking into account, the patients concerns and desires a treatment plan is developed
  • If the treatment plan is simple, we can make financial arrangements and begin scheduling treatment
  • If the treatment plan is complicated, the doctor needs more time to develop a plan, or additional records are needed, a consultation may be scheduled at a future date
  • If possible and appropriate, a cleaning may be provided or scheduled

1 To efficiently take care of you and any billing, it is important to have current contact ,  and insurance information. A current medical history means better care.
2 It is estimated that up to 20% of the adult population has Sleep Apnea and 90% of them are undiagnosed. Sleep Apnea is associated with several medical conditions.
3 One person per hour dies from oral cancer. Oral cancer has one of the lowest cure rates of any cancer since it is not caught early enough. Visilite+© offers a better visualization of the deeper tissues of the mouth and locates suspect areas missed by the naked eye.
4 8% of the adult population has undiagnosed high blood pressure, and the incidence of high blood pressure keeps rising  with aging and obesity ( up over 30% ).
5 See #3 above
6 Digital x-rays expose you to 90% less radiation compared to conventional x-rays. They also allow the doctor and patient to see much more detail.
7 Up to 80% of the adult population has some degree of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease has been associated with several life threatening medical conditions.
8 The DIAGNOdent© has been proves to be much more accurate in location decay under the surface of a tooth versus a traditional metal explorer.
9 Many adults still struggle with tooth decay, root decay, or decay around crowns. As we age, our saliva flow decreases and medications we take can dry our mouth. This causes acid buildup and adult tooth decay.
10 An intra oral camera helps visualize problems with your teeth and gums and provides an invaluable record for dental insurance claims. The images are placed on a TV screen for easy viewing when needed.
11 Not all people need a 6 month checkup and cleaning, some need care more often and some need less. We tailor your checkups to your actual needs.
12 Using CAESY© patient education system on our TV in the treatment rooms and consultation room, we can easily explain dental conditions and treatment options.
13 Dental conditions are sometimes easy to miss with the naked eye. In addition, magnification makes your treatment more comfortable and hand eye coordination is improved.
14 In addition to bottled water, we have a Mastercraft™ custom brewing machine located in the reception room for coffee, decaf, French vanilla, cappuccino and hot chocolate.
15 Illinois law requires a dentist examine the patient only once per year. The patient can be seen by a hygienist multiple times in the same year. This practice helps keep the cost of dentistry down.
17 Baseline photos are useful in color determination, as well as for comparison when future treatment is planned or undertaken.
*Our goal is to schedule efficiently for your busy schedule. We make an extreme effort to meet each person’s desire for their first checkup appointment. What we have found that works best though is to schedule as listed above and wait until we have all information. At this time we can efficiently schedule cleanings and other appointments. We make great efforts to accommodate you especially If you have an emergency.

We are constantly striving to provide the highest level of service and care. Many patients comment that they have never had such a thorough exam.

Dr Neal answers all of your questions about examinations at Crystal Lake Dental Associates.


Your Comments are welcome.




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Saturday, July 16, 2011

Senior Citizen texting codes (humorous) Crystal Lake Dentist

A cute listing of texting codes for seniors... as kids have their little codes...like BFF,LOL, etc. So here are some codes for seniors.*
ATD - At the
BFF - Best Friend's Funeral
BTE - Bring the Wheelchair
BYOT - Bring Your Own Teeth
CBM - Covered by Medicare
CUATSC - See You at the Senior Center
DWIU - Driving WhileIncontenent
FWBB - Friend With Beta Blocker
FWIW - Forgot Where I Was
FYI - Found Your Insulin
HGBM - HadGood Bowel Movement
IMHO - Is My Hearing-Aid On?
LMDO - Laughing My Dentures Out
LWO - Lawrence Welk's On
LOL  - Living on Lipitor
OMMR - On My Massage Recliner
OMSG - Oh My! Sorry Gas
ROFL...CGU Rolling on the Floor Laughing...Can't Get Up!
TTYL - Talk to You Louder
WAITT - Who Am I Talking To?
WTFA - Wet the Furniture Again
WTP - Where's the Prunes
WWNO - Walker Wheels Need Oil
GGLKI - Gotta Go Laxative Kicking In.

*Courtesy of the "Orange Peel Gazette"
Enjoy



Your Comments are welcome.
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Mouth Prop With a Twist-Crystal Lake Dentist

Keeping your mouth open at the dentist can be tiring.

patient straining to hold mouth open
Your jaw muscles and joint get tired, especially during longer appointments. Many patients with TMJ symptoms have severe pain. Your dentist can offer a mouth prop to rest your teeth on. The typical mouth prop works well but offers no additional features to protect your tongue, cheek, keep debris from going down your throat , or remove fluid from your mouth.
typical mouth prop
prop in mouth
Isolite™ is a new twist on a mouth prop.
Isolite™
The Isolite™ is a unique patented device that holds your teeth apart but does much more. The shield will gently hold your tongue and cheek out of harm’s way. It also acts as a super suction device to remove fluids and prevent debris from going down your throat. Another unique feature is the ability to add light to the area for the dentist to see better I do not use the light as I prefer my headlight anyway). The invention of the Isolite™ can in many ways reduce the need for a chair-side dental assistant during much of the dental procedure as it is performing many of her functions. This frees up the dental assistant to perform other functions, making the entire team more efficient.
Isolite™ system
Isolite™ in the mouth
Why should I care that the assistant is not doing this?

The first advantage to you the patient is the dentist can provide your care less expensively. The second is that the assistant can be more effective and efficient tending to your needs and preparing for the next step. The Isolite™ can make many procedures safer as it protects you from some of the chemicals needed in today's dental procedures.

patient with Isolite™

Is the Isolite™ hard to get used to?

It takes about a minute to adjust to the feeling. At first some patients think that they cannot breathe properly, but this feeling rapidly goes away. Occasionally the Isolite™ will cause a little puffiness in the cheek from the suction, but this is temporary.

I love it when dental technology makes dentistry better, easier, quicker, and less costly for everyone. We have been using the Isolite™ system successfully for several years in our practice.
 Your Comments are welcome.
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Sunday, July 10, 2011

Innovation in Tooth Colored Fillings Crystal Lake Dental Associates

Mercury/silver fillings are rapidly going away.
The FDA and EPA have issues with the safety of mercury. It is released from the fillings in our teeth, and it pollutes the water we drink. Many people have raised issues with their safety as some are sensitive to low levels of mercury In addition, they are ugly to patients.

Tooth colored composite fillings are tricky to place properly.
The filling material is sensitive to moisture, shrinks on curing, and rarely is easy to handle. In addition several steps are needed to insure a tight seal, good contact with the neighbor tooth, good anatomy, no sensitivity to biting, complete hardening, and no voids in the filling. Many dentists struggle for years developing a technique that meets all of these goals. Tooth colored fillings must be hardened with a light. The light only penetrates a few millimeters into the material requiring a layering of the filling. Regular filling material does not flow into tiny crevices leading to gaps. Regular filling material shrinks on hardening, and must be placed in special ways to control the shrinking.

Now comes SonicFill
SonicFill

A sonically activated material that flows during placement. In addition it can be placed to a depth of 5 mm and still hardened completely. And finally, it has almost no shrinkage during hardening so sensitivity is eliminated. SonicFill is just as hard as any other filling material when cured. It can be shaped after placement and holds its shape.

How does it work?
The material is squirted into the cavity with a special hand-piece that produces a sonic vibration wave while squirting. This vibration liquefies the material as it is coming out. The material flows into the tooth and fills it with no voids. Once the sonic hand-piece is stopped the material thickens and can be molded. Since the material can be hardened up to 5 mm deep, and it does not shrink, a large amount can be placed at one time and cured. This allows for rapid filling and hardening of the material saving a few minutes per tooth.



What does this mean to the patient?
Shorter appointments for fillings, better fillings, and no sensitivity. In addition, the dentist will be less stressed when filling the tooth (trying to control all of the variables mentioned above while filling the tooth is quite stressful).

I think SonicFill is a revolution in placing tooth colored fillings in back teeth.



Your Comments are welcome.

Phillip C. Neal DDS
Crystal Lake Dental Associates
280 B Memorial Court
Crystal Lake, Illinois 60014
815 459 2202
www.DrNeal.com
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Monday, July 4, 2011

George Washington and his teeth- Crystal Lake Dental Associates

George Wasington
George Washington, the "Father of our Country".





 On Independence Day, I thought it was appropriate to highlight some of George Washington's life.

Goerge Washington is consistently rated one of the three greatest presidents. He is not smiling or showing teeth is any known photo. Many have suggested that he was a rather grim faced and boring based on his photos. Nothing could be farther from the truth.   James C. Rees, executive director of the Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens, Washington's home in northern Virginia. "Of all the founding fathers, he was the most athletic, the most adventurous and clearly a man of action," Rees said. Washington, contrary to his grim-faced portrait on the dollar bill, was a great dancer and horseman.




George Washington's Dental History


Goerge suffered from tooth trouble from an early age. He suffered toothaches, tooth loss and abcessed teeth most of his life. According to historians, George suffered greatly from mouth pain. He decided to forgo his second inaugural address due to mouth pain. George wore dentures later in life. He had several sets of dentures made over the years. Contrary to popular opinion George Washington "NEVER WORE WOODEN TEETH". 
 A very interesting and complete history of George Wahingtons dental health can be found here.
http://www.americanrevolution.org/dental.html

George Washington's teeth

George Washington's teeth

George Washington's teeth

George Washington's teeth

Some interesting facts about George Washington" *

  • George was the first President to be on a postage stamp. It came out in 1847.
  • George's face is on a quarter and a dollar bill.
  • George wanted to be a sailor when he was young.
  • George planned Washington, D.C. 
  • Math was George's best subject.
  • George didn't want his slaves freed until Martha died.
  • George was President for 8 years.
  • George never had children of his own. He adopted Martha's children, Jack and Patsy.
  • George did not wear a wig. He kept his own brown hair long and powdered it. It was fashionable in his time.
  • Native Americans taught George to walk silently in the woods.
  • George chose to stay with his men in Valley Forge rather that sleep in a comfortable bed.
  • George signed the United States Constitution.
  • George led the Continental Army for no pay.
  • George was only 17 when he became the surveyor of Culpeper County.
  • The Boston Tea Party was not a real party.
  • George started loosing his teeth in his 20s. 
  • George's false teeth were made of elephant ivory, walrus tusk, and human teeth.
  • George was 6'3" tall. He was not the tallest, Lincoln was at 6"4".
  • George's salary as president was $25,000.
  • Martha wintered with her husband during the Revolutionary War. She entertained visiting diplomats and the wives of fellow officers and helped with secretarial duties. She also helped raise money to take care of the troops.
  • George was one of ten Presidents who were generals.
  • George is one of nine Presidents who never went to college.
  • George helped establish one of the first free schools in this country in Alexandria, Virginia 
  • George left property in his will to establish a national university (Washington and Lee University.)



    Have a great Independence Day!!!





    Your Comments are welcome.





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Friday, July 1, 2011

Interesting Dental Facts-Crystal Lake Dentist

·         32% of Americans cite bad breath as the least attractive trait of their co-workers.

·         38.5 total days an average American spends brushing teeth over lifetime.
73% of Americans would rather go grocery shopping than floss.



                                           


60% of people who don’t know that a sore jaw, when combined with chest pain, can signal a heart attack-especially in women.

                                              




·         Dentists have recommended that a toothbrush be kept at least six (6) feet away from a toilet to avoid airborne particles resulting from the flush.


·         A toothpick is the object most often choked on by Americans.


·         Every year, kids in North America spend close to half a billion dollars on chewing gum.


·         The number of cavities in the average mouth is down and people are keeping their teeth longer. 


  People, on average, have healthier mouths than even 10 years ago.  Specifically:
·         —The decline in tooth decay was greatest among kids but holds across every age group.
—Only 40% of  young people age 6 to 19 had ever in their lives had cavities.  That’s down from 50% a decade ago.
—Over the last ten years the proportion of people age 60 who’d lost all their teeth had decreased from 33% to 25%.
—Use of dental sealants, which block tooth decay on the chewing surfaces of kids’ vulnerable molars, was up 64%.  30% of kids had had at least one sealed tooth.
—Adults with post-high-school degrees had an average of three more teeth than those without a high school diploma.
—Smokers remain three times more likely than non-smokers to lose all their teeth.  This figure has not changed from a decade ago.
—Socio-economic status plays a definite role in one’s general and dental health….33% of low-income adults have untreated decay.  This compared with 16% of middle- and higher-income adults.  19% of kids living in poverty have untreated decay compared with 8% of wealthier kids.

Your Comments are welcome.




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About Me

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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.