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

Healthcare Reform, You might want to know.

I just recceived this email. Check it out and respond to your congressman at the bottom.


It does include abortion and euthanasia.

If you like the health care plan you might want to read this, especially if you are getting older. Of particular interest to me is #6, 9, 14.Remember your representatives WILL NOT read this before they sign on to it, just as they have for all the stimulus and bailouts that have worked so well.Vote out everyone who votes for something without reading it. > Subject: Truth About the New Healthcare Bill > > Please read and take action how you see fit. If you need any assistance contact me. (Kenneth is my son)> Cynthia > > > > > > Dear> > Friend,> > > > As you know, President> > Obama has been pushing his “Universal healthcare” plan.> > There have been a lot of people saying many different things> > about this new healthcare plan. Therefore, I felt the need> > to do what our congressmen and women have not done and read> > all of the healthcare plans out there. Let me tell you, as> > you can imagine, it was not easy reading. I wanted to be> > able to give you the facts to reply to those that want to> > know why we are not comfortable with the Government> > controlling our Healthcare and oppose the> > plan.> > First, let me state> > that I do believe that we need to make sure that every LEGAL> > American citizen has access to the best healthcare system in> > the world and that it is affordable for everyone.The> > discussion is not if Americans should have healthcare but> > who should be delivering and determining this> > care. Let me also state that, after reading the bills> > that are being considered, if the healthcare plan was a good> > plan, I would let you know that. That being said, the> > proposals set forth in the house (H.R. 3200)and in the senate are very bad> > for America for the following reasons: > > > > 1. We simply can not> > afford it. The Congressional Budget Office states that even> > with higher taxes on high income earners and penalties on> > employers who don't provide coverage, the plan will fall> > $239 billion short of covering its' cost of over $1> > trillion. That is their best case scenario without the bill> > being completely scored.> > > > > > 2. It will not cover> > everyone. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that> > over 17 million people would remain uninsured AFTER this> > plan is implemented.> > > > > > 3. You will not be able> > to shop for or obtain private insurance if you do not have> > private insurance prior to the bill being passed. This is> > somewhat clearly stated on pgs. 16 and 17 in section 102(a)(1)(A).> > > > > > 4. After a 5 year grace> > period, all private insurers that are still in business will> > be required to offer a “qualified health benefits” plan> > based on government standards. The problem is whether or not> > the “government standards” will exclude private> > insurers. This on page 17, section 102(b)(1)(A).> > > > > > 5. No new policies will> > be allowed to be written by a private insurer after the> > public option becomes law. Also page 17. > > > > 6. Every five years,> > the elderly will have to attend a mandatory “advanced care> > planning consultation” for an “explanation by the> > practitioner of the continuum of end of life services.”> > The consultation will be conducted more frequently if a> > significant change in health condition; including diagnosis> > of a chronic, progressive, life limiting disease, terminal> > diagnosis, life threatening injury or upon admission to a> > skilled nursing or long term care facility. In other words,> > if you are old, you will be consulted about what your> > options will be if you get sick, if healthcare would not be> > an option (see #7). This starts on page 425.> > > > > > 7. Page 501 of the bill> > starts a section that indicates that $1 billion will be> > spent on “comparative effectiveness research” which is> > how the government evaluates relative merits of various> > treatments. In other words, rationing. This is tantamount to> > the government determining whether or not you are worth> > getting a particular treatment depending on your prognosis> > or age. Sec. 1401 Part D> > > > 8. This plan would> > allow for government funded abortions. Since this bill would> > cover all procedures, abortion is included. There is no> > exception for abortion.> > > > > > 9. Members of congress> > and unions would be exempt from this plan and not have to be> > a part of the healthcare plan. Recently, John Fleming,> > introduced H.R. 615 that stated that members that vote> > in favor of a government run healthcare must enroll under> > the public option. No democrat would sign on. If it is not> > good enough for congress, it is not good enough for us! This> > is section 3116.> > > > > > 10. $500 billion will> > be cut from senior healthcare to help pay for this bill.> > This will weaken Medicare, an organization already in> > trouble due to insufficient funds. > > > > 11. Hospitals and> > private healthcare facilities will not be able to collect> > money from the government plan unless they are “public”> > facilities.> > > > > > 12. Businesses will be> > fined over 8% of an employee's salary if they do not> > provide healthcare insurance for their> > employees. Sec. 313.> > > > > > 13. Individuals that do> > not have health insurance will be fined an amount that will> > encourage them to purchase the government plan. Sec 401> > Part VIII Subpart A Sec.> > 59B.> > > > > > 14. All “people”,> > legal or not, will be covered under this plan and> > identification cards will be issued. These identification> > cards will not be based on social security> > numbers.> > > > > > These are some of the proven reasons> > why I could never support a bill like this. These are> > irrefutable facts, things that our present government does> > not want our citizens to be aware of, which is why they are> > trying to pass this bill as quickly as possible. The more we> > find out about the bill, the worse it gets. As I stated> > above, we need to reform our healthcare system, but this is> > not the way. In this case, doing nothing is better than> > passing this bill. It will hurt seniors, businesses and> > families.> > > > > > > >


Please take the time to contact> > your representatives at www.house.gov and www.senate.gov


> > > > > > If you don't let them know your> > position then they will do what they want. > > > > I can't believe that they want> > to force Americans into a system. Financially you will not> > be able to say no. Please act quickly. > > > > > > > > Sincerely,> > > > > > > > Kenneth Hughes


I just thought you might be interested.

Phillip C. Neal DDS

Snoring and Sleep Apnea a silent Killer?

Snoring can be harmful to family relationships. Bed partners and other family members can suffer from lack of good sleep due to snoring. It has been estimated that a snorer can hit 87 decibels (the same as a greyhound bus accelerating). I have heard snoring so loud that I do not know how the person snoring could stay asleep. Snoring can also be a symptom of Sleep Apnea. Sleep Apnea is a silent killer that can lead to many other disorders including:
Heart Attack
Stroke
Diabetes
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
Impotence
Depression
GERD
Clenching and tooth Grinding
TMJ pain
Fatigue
And more.

I believe that the side effects of Obstructive Sleep Apnea may have killed my mother, though I can't prove it.
If you are a snorer, or if your bed partner tells you that you are a snorer, you should be checked out to see if you have Sleep Apnea.
If you wake up tired or you suffer from sleepiness, poor sleep, and multiple trips to the bathroom, you may have Sleep Apnea. The diagnosis of Sleep Apnea must be is made after testing and grading.
With treatment of Sleep Apnea, we can help you manage it and help improve your quality and length of life. Depending upon the severity of the problem, and your physical makeup, there are different options to treat or manage Sleep Apnea. There are devices that can be prescribed to improve your Sleep Apnea that must be fitted by a qualified doctor or dentist. The device must be tested and modified to make sure it is in the proper position and works properly. In some cases orthodontics/orthopedics or surgery are recommended to treat Sleep Apnea.
While the C-PAP machine is the gold standard for treating severe Sleep Apnea, it is not well tolerated. There are oral appliances that can treat various levels of Sleep Apnea either alone or in conjunction with a C-PAP set to a lower pressure level. These devices must be made by a qualified dentist and tested to insure they are providing adequate improvement. Dr Neal is trained to provide oral appliances for Sleep Apnea. Dr. Neal is also able to provide some of the testing needed to screen for Sleep Apnea. Dr. Neal uses sophisticated rhinometery and pharangometry to test the size and collapsibility of your airway. He also can use a take home testing device to monitor your sleep and help determine your risk level of Sleep Apnea. Dr. Neal will then make recommendations to insure you receive the highest level of care. If it is then determined that an oral appliance is a good option, Dr. Neal can fit you with an appropriate appliance.

Dr. Neal a is a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine

To learn more about Snoring and Sleep Apnea, click here


Philip C. Neal DDS

Play the match-up game chance to win Wii

We had a little fun a few days ago and the team went to Mario Tricoci for a spa treatment. We shot photos of the results. See if you can match up the face, hands and feet of the team members. If you live within 20 miles of Crystal Lake, you can submit your entry for a chance to win a Nintendo Wii system valued at 750 dollars. See the page for more details.

HAVE FUN

PHILLIP C., NEAL DDS