Dr. Phillip Charles Neal

Dr. Neal Crystal Lake Dental Associates
Why do teeth get loose?
Teeth are anchored in bone. As long as normal chewing forces are used, the teeth are in good alignment, and the gums are healthy, the teeth do not get loose. Most often teeth loosen up from an infection or trauma. Trauma can be a blow to the jaw or tooth or constant heavy forces on a tooth. The most common cause for a tooth to loosen up is an infection either from a dead nerve in the tooth or gum disease. These infections dissolve the bone and ligament holding the tooth.
Bill’s Story
Bill has gum disease and smokes. Bill also hates the dentist. He knows he has loose teeth but did not want to do anything. Two of  Bill’s lower front teeth fell out, but he just sticks them back in his mouth. Finally Bill’s upper front tooth became loose and started to hurt when he bit anything. He decided it was time to go to the dentist before his upper front tooth fell out.
Bill goes to the dentist
Bill finds a dentist near …his house. The dentist says all of his teeth must come out and he will need implants or dentures. Bill gets an estimate for dentures and a referral to an oral surgeon. He cannot afford the estimated cost and finds our office on the internet. I sit down with Bill and a copy of his x-rays and we discuss the problem. I can see by the x-rays that Bill indeed has severe gum disease.
Other options-treat the gum disease and save the teeth
I tell Bill that  a few teeth that have no bone holding them in and they will need to be replaced. I also tell him that almost all the remaining teeth can be helped with laser gum treatment and splinting. I recommend a complete exam to verify my findings.
I remove and Splint Bills front tooth
Bill comes in for an exam and I tell him that I can  remove and splint his front tooth by bonding it to the other remaining teeth immediately. Bill agrees and I splint his front tooth. Since most of Bill’s other teeth were not very loose, I thought we could save almost all of them. I gave Bill a quote for the entire treatment which is half of the amount he was quoted for removing all of his teeth and placing dentures.  Bill knows that he must complete all the treatment, and begin seeing us regularly every 3 months for this to work.  I also mentioned that if he quits smoking, the results will be even better.
Bill is happy now
Bill’s upper front tooth is tight, and he has a treatment plan that he can afford and he gets to keep his teeth. Bill is anxious to begin the next phase of treatment.
My Observations
I do a lot of free  second opinions for patients. Many patients have had their teeth condemned by another dentist due to gum disease. These people want to save their teeth.  A program of laser treatment with splinting, and bite correction can turn around cases that others give up on. The FDA approved Laser Gum Treatment called “LANAP” has been available for 10 years. I have seen very positive results since incorporating this technology 31/2 years ago. In almost every case teeth tighten up and the gums look great.
Dr. Neal answers all of your questions about loose teeth at Crystal Lake dental Associates.
True Story
This a true story of a patient who has joined the practice recently. Some personal facts have been altered to protect the patient’s identity.
I love Dentistry
I love helping people overcome their fear. I also love helping people feel good about themselves and their smile.  If you or someone you know is a Bill, there is hope.
Thank you for visiting.
Dr Neal is the only dentist in McHenry county offering the Patented LANAP protocol
Please leave a comment.
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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