815 459 2202 today
Philip C. Neal DDS
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Back to School-Crystal Lake Dentist
Back to school, back to the dentist.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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:
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| 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.
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| 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 |
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| Vizilite for advanced oral cancer screening |
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| oral CDX swabbing a suspected area |
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| 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
Monday, June 11, 2012
Oral Cancer Detection with Velscope Crystal Lake Dentist
Oral cancer rates are increasing
Currently over 600.000 cases of oral cancer are diagnosed worldwide each year. In the US one person per hour dies from Oral Cancer. Earlyg detection is key for a high survival
Traditionally oral cancer was seen in males over age 50 who use tobacco and alcohol. This is rapidly changing due to the rapid spread of HPV (Human Papilloma Virus).
HPV Spread
You will most likely be infected with some form of HPV in your lifetime*. Most strains of HPV are self limiting, however HPV 16 and HPV 18 have been strongly linked to cervical and oral cancer. The various ways HPV can be spread through skin contact is quite alarming.
Oral Cancer Screening in the News
The spread of oral cancer and need for screening has been in the media and on some of the more popular TV doctor shows. In this clip Dr. Oz discussed oral cancer and the need for the Velscope exam at every checkup. Velscope Oral Cancer Screening - Dr. Oz June 2011
In tghis link, Several doctors on "the Doctors" show discuss sexual transmission of HPV and the need for a Velscope exam. VELscope on The Doctors.
ORAL ASSESSMENT
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| Velscope is easy to use |
Why Use the VELscope Vx?
The VELscope's blue light stimulates natural fluorescense in the soft tissues of your mouth.
Natural fluorescence, seen through the VELscope Vx, allows dental professionals to see disease not visible with the naked eye
The VELscope Vx helps us discover oral disease BEFORE it can be seen under ordinary light.
VELscope Vx:
The Two-Minute Exam That Could Save Your Life
How many little sores do we find in our mouths? Dozens? Hundreds? More? Most of the time we ignore them, and they simply go away.
But sometimes our mouths keep secrets. That's why we use the VELscope Vx Enhanced Oral Assessment system.
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| normal oral tissue under white light |
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| normal tissue under Velscope |
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| oral cancer under white light |
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| oral cancer under Velscope ( note the dark area) |
The VELscope Vx Helps Us:
Improve our assessment of your overall oral health.
Ensure that the delicate tissues of your mouth are healthy.
Protect you from oral disease, including oral cancer.
All this in two minutes, with no rinses, stains or discomfort.
VELscope Vx - for a Clean Bill of Health
Helps dental professionals find oral mucosal abnormalities, including oral cancer
Over 10,000,000 examinations performed
Recognized by the World Health Organization
The most powerful tool available for assisting in the discovery of oral abnormalities
Oral Cancer and Oral Disease
The VELscope Vx helps us identify oral disease early, while it's still easy to treat.
One of the VELscope's most important tasks is to help locate areas that might, if not treated, progress to oral cancer.
- Found early, oral cancer's 5-year survival rate is good: approx. 83%
- Found late, oral cancer's 5-year survival rate is poor: approx. 32%
- Clearly, finding oral cancer in its early stages is key to survival.
The VELscope Vx offers hope for the early discovery of oral disease, including precancer and cancer.
Risk Factors
Tobacco and chewing tobacco, along with alcohol, are the leading causes of oral cancer. Over the last four decades, the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), known for its role in cervical cancedr, has been showing up in increasing numbers of oral cancer cases.
*http://www.healthywomen.org/condition/human-papillomavirus-hpv
Dr. Neal answers all of your questions about 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
815 459 2202
www.DrNeal.com
Your comments are welcome
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Improved Cavity Detection Crystal Lake Dentist
Why Digital X-rays?
The diagnostic ability of digital x-rays now exceeds that of film with up to 90% radiation exposure.
We have been using digital x-rays since 2000, and now with our new Kodak imaging system, we can detect decay (cavities) with 90% accuracy (verses 70% previously)* Logicon is a computer-aided-detection tool that provides important decision-support instrument for better patient care. Logicon provides an electronic second opinion by analyzing tooth density and demineralization patterns for interproximal (between the teeth) caries (decay) to help search for caries (cavities or decay) and determine whether they exist in the enamel or dentin. With one click, Logicon automatically scans all proximal (between the teeth) surfaces in a bitewing radiograph and gives a preview of the patient’s state of proximal (between the teeth) caries.
The program also dramatic graphics and visual aids to help us communicate our diagnosis to patients in a way you can easily understand.treatment recommendations.
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| Automatically scans x-ray |
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| Close up of decay pattern |
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| Density changes across decay site |
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| Probability of decay |
We Diagnose Caries with More Confidence
Logicon analyzes shades of gray (many more than the human eye can resolve),
extracts caries related image features and correlates them with a database of
known caries problems. In doing so, the software automatically highlights possible
abnormalities on digital dental radiographs that otherwise might be missed,
signaling the dentist to take a closer look at the tooth and surface involved.
How It Works
Logicon uses detection algorithms based on laboratory data produced in
association with a leading school of dentistry. With one click Logicon scans all the
proximal surfaces in a radiograph and highlights the decay sites on all of the teeth
in one picture for quick review. Detailed information about the change in tooth
density and lesion probability are saved for each surface and can be retrieved in
graphical format.
*Gakenheimer, David C. “The Efficacy of a Computerized Caries Detector in Intraoral Digital
Radiography”. Journal of the American Dental Association133 (2002): 883-890
In addition to our new Logicon Kodak imaging software, we have upgraded out sensors to Kodak 6100 system which provides a higher resolution for improved images.
Added to that is our new quickcam intraoral imaging system.
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| Quickcam |
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| Images |
Our ability to detect and treat tooth decay is the best around with the use of DIAGNOdent, Carifree, Loupes (all clinical team members wear these to enhance our ability to diagnose and treat you).
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| Carifree |
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| DIAGNOdent |
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| Loupes |
We have also introduced our new Kodak 8000 pan/ceph machine which enables us to now take digital panoramic images and lateral cephalometric images.
Dr. Neal answers all of your questions about advanced decay detection at Crystal Lake Dental Associates.drneal.com
Your comments are welcome
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Sports Drinks and Tooth Decay-Crystal Lake Dentist
Sports Drinks and Tooth Decay
Hydration and energy are important facets to athletic success. But new studies have shown that they can be just as harmful to the strength of your teeth as soft drinks. Due to their acidic nature and high in sugar contents, all these drinks can wear away the enamel from your teeth.
The Academy of General Dentistry released findings in 2005 that showed that over the course of years, sports drinks and energy drinks caused tooth decay just as fast (and in some cases faster) than soft drinks. Many young athletes suppose that as they exercise and play sports, these drinks are vital to their performance and health. While they do assist in endurance and hydration, especially for athletes engaging in strenuous physical activity, you can often get the same benefits from juice or even water with fewer risks to your teeth and your overall health.
Certainly during this hot summer season, a cooling sports drink should not be seen as a healthier alternative to soda when it comes to dental health. If you or your children find sports drinks as a frequent hydrator, you may want to rethink your sugar intake.
Dr. Neal answers all of your questions about Sports Drinks and Tooth Decay at Crystal Lake Dental Associates.
Phillip C. Neal DDS
Crystal Lake Dental Associates
280 B Memorial Court
Crystal Lake, Illinois 60014
815 459 2202
www.DrNeal.com
Your comments are welcome
Monday, April 30, 2012
Dental Insurance Revisited Crystal Lake Dentist
I have dental insurance, now what?
One of the most useful and yet confusing benefits that patients have is dental insurance. It does not work exactly like health insurance and the benefit can be quite confusing.
Blue Cross began dental insurance in the 1960's as an added benefit. The average coverage back then was $1,000 per year. Does this number look familiar? As more employers began providing it, over the years, dental insurance has morphed into many different plans.
Costs have certainly gone up since the 1960's, why is maximum coverage still the same?
Insurance companies rely on the fact that only 50 percent of the population go to the dentist regularly. When these plans were first introduced, the likelihood of every member maximizing the usage of the insurance was very low. Costs of care have risen over the years and insurance utilization has increased accordingly. As utilization increased, dental insurance companies basically held the benefit the same wile increasing he cost of the premium in order to control costs.
What is UCR?
UCR stands for usual and customary rate.This is a term that is used to determine how much a dental insurance company will pay for a procedure in a given zip code. How UCR determined is a secret that insurance companies will not share. Typically dentists set their UCR fees based on their fixed (rent, utilities, etc ), and variable costs (supplies, lab) for a procedure.
Why is UCR so confusing
Dental insurance companies may offer several plans in the same state to the same employer. These plans are chosen based on what the employer can afford to pay. The more the employer pays for a dental plan, the better the coverage for the user. The problem with UCR is that insurance companies use different UCR tables for different insurance plans. This is confusing for patients.
How does dental insurance work?
Dental insurance works basically like regular health insurance, so there's no real mystery or confusion there. It's very similar to basic health insurance in that it's covered by HMO and PPO plans or payment structures. Occasionally, you may find an indemnity dental insurance plan, which allows for the ultimate freedom in choosing dentists and procedures, but these are becoming rare in this day and age.
Understanding a dental HMO and PPO is the same as understanding a regular health insurance structure. An HMO plan you pick will require you, as the patient, to choose either a single dentist or a dentist group to handle your dental care. After you select the dentist and/or facilities, all procedures deemed usual by the insurance company and performed per your plan will be covered. With a PPO plan, you will have the option of being able to select dentists from around your immediate area, so you're not locked in with only one option
Your comments are welcome
Why is UCR so confusing
Dental insurance companies may offer several plans in the same state to the same employer. These plans are chosen based on what the employer can afford to pay. The more the employer pays for a dental plan, the better the coverage for the user. The problem with UCR is that insurance companies use different UCR tables for different insurance plans. This is confusing for patients.
How does dental insurance work?
Dental insurance works basically like regular health insurance, so there's no real mystery or confusion there. It's very similar to basic health insurance in that it's covered by HMO and PPO plans or payment structures. Occasionally, you may find an indemnity dental insurance plan, which allows for the ultimate freedom in choosing dentists and procedures, but these are becoming rare in this day and age.
Understanding a dental HMO and PPO is the same as understanding a regular health insurance structure. An HMO plan you pick will require you, as the patient, to choose either a single dentist or a dentist group to handle your dental care. After you select the dentist and/or facilities, all procedures deemed usual by the insurance company and performed per your plan will be covered. With a PPO plan, you will have the option of being able to select dentists from around your immediate area, so you're not locked in with only one option
What is covered?
This can vary widely from plan to plan.
This can vary widely from plan to plan.
Coverage for a typical Indemnity plan would be something like this:
- $100 per person deductible
- $1,000-$1,500 per year maximum coverage
- preventive services (exam, x-rays, cleanings) paid at 80-100% of the insurance company's UCR
- basic services ( fillings, extractions) are paid at 70-90% of the insurance company's UCR
- Major services (considered most expensive like crowns, bridges, root canals, dentures) is typically included but paid at 40-50 percent of the insurance company's UCR
- Many procedures that are considered cosmetic (veneers, witening, bonding, braces) may net be covered at all.
- the patient pays for fees over the amount covered
PPO, HMO and other plans like these may have set fee schedules for the dentist who has signed up for them. The patient portion is variable and determined by the insurance plan. The plan may have a similar annual maximum benefit.
We can help you with your dental insurance.
We have team members who specialize in helping you understand your coverage. As a courtesy, we will file your claim for you and work hard to make sure you have the highest possible coverage for every procedure.
Dr. Neal answers all of your questions about Dental Insurance at Crystal Lake Dental Associates.
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.