PEORIA, IL- Dentists are warning of denture cream following a recent study. Those who use an excessive amount of denture cream could be exposing themselves to high levels of zinc, which can lead to pain, weakness and poor coordination. Prolonged exposure to zinc can result in nerve damage, low blood levels and bone marrow failure. GlaxoSmithKline, the makers of Poligrip, have stopped the manufacturing and distribution of dental adhesive creams that contain zinc. Some local dentists are suggesting patients stop using cream all together.   Watch WMBD Interview with Dr. John Pappas about dental cream dangers.

Statement of Denture Cream Adhesives – 4-7-2010
Denture Cream Adhesives have recently been linked to health ailments including polymyeloneuropathy and pancytopenia.  In a recent diagnostic workup and differential diagnosis, by Spain, Lest, and DeSousa at Thomas Jefferson University, PA, a 47 year old woman suffered from symptoms of weakness, pain, and poor coordination in her hands and legs..  She was diagnosed with low copper levels and high toxic zinc levels.  The only
source of the zinc came from her exposure to denture creams which is absorbed directly through the soft tissue of the mouth.  The low copper levels and high zinc levels were blamed for nerve damage, low blood levels of white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets, and bone marrow failure.

We do not know the complications of inadvertently swallowing adhesives.  It has been suggested that malabsorption of vital nutrients may be a result of adhesives in the digestive tract.  Regardless of the possible long-term effects of denture adhesive creams, no denture-wearer suffers from a denture cream nutritional deficiency.  Therefore, we should have no
indication for the use of these creams.

The best adhesive for a denture is water between the denture and tissues of the mouth.  If there is excess space between the denture and tissues resulting in a lack of adhesion, then the denture should be relined, remade, or implants should be placed to stabilize the dentures.

There are presently 35 million denture wearers in the United States.  Of those it is estimated that 30% are using dentures adhesives.  It is certainly an abuse of an over-the-counter substance, and dentists should use caution prescribing it.

John T. Pappas, DDS
Prosthodontist
Maple Shade Dental Group

If you or someone you know wears dentures, a yearly checkup recommended by the American Dental Association and available through Maple Shade Dental Group, in Peoria IL.

Maple Shade Dental Group will be a CIGNA PPO provider as of 12/1/09. With major businesses like Caterpillar transferring to CIGNA insurance, we want to  ensure that our current and future patients receive the best benefits possible.  We are also a PPO provider with Blue Cross/Blue Shield.  We are currently a premier provider for Delta Dental, and Mutual Medical insurance providers. We will submit most insurance claims and will work with you to provide for your families dental needs.  Maple Shade is located in the North Peoria, Dunlap area, as well as in East Peoria, IL.  Don’t forget to check for unused benefits before the end of the year!

Thank You to everyone who donated their Halloween Candy to make this event a success!  A big thank-you also to our sponsors, Better Banks, Nick-n-Willys, Landmark, & Crest! We have 300 lbs of candy and counting that will be sent to the troops overseas!   

Watch the WEEK Video

PJSTAR ARTICLE    By Ruth Longoria Kingsland (rlongoria@pjstar.com)

Dunlap, IL-   Jayce Stone didn’t get to go trick-or-treating Saturday night. The 5-year-old from Peoria Heights was home with the flu.  But her good friend Karley Boyer, 8, and Karley’s dad, Kent Boyer, also of Peoria Heights, went door to door and collected candy for Jayce.  Now that Jayce is feeling better, the two youths and their dads, Boyer and Shannon Stone, decided to donate the majority of that candy to a good cause.

They and other local families came to Maple Shade Dental Group in Dunlap on Monday afternoon to turn in their candy – well, most of it anyway – as part of the Cash for Candy, Candy Turn In, an event to promote healthy teeth and send treats to the troops.  ”I kept some candy,” Jayce admitted, with a wide, relatively cavity-free grin. “I love Pixy Stix, and I kept those.”

The dental office and Better Banks offered $1 per pound for candy turned in at the event, which occurred at both the Dunlap and East Peoria Maple Shade Dental Group offices.  The candy will be sent overseas to soldiers serving in the U.S. military through Operation Santa. In addition to giving up their candy, people who showed up for the event were given the opportunity to donate their cash reward, or a portion of it, to Operation Santa to help pay for shipping costs.

“Keep it all, it’s going for the troops,” Boyer said, when he and Karley were asked about the $4 they would have received for their four pounds of candy.  That was the response of many of the people who showed up to turn in candy, said Caitlin Willey, marketing director for Maple Shade Dental Group.  ”So far, it’s been great and everyone is really happy to help the soldiers,” she said.

More than 100 pounds of the sugary stuff was turned in at the Dunlap office during the first hour of the three-hour event.  Local businesses also donated items to put in a candy-free treat bag for each of the children who gave up their candy. The goodie bags included items such as toothpaste, toothbrush, free movie tickets and a coupon for a small pizza.  This was the first year the dental office has hosted the event, but it likely won’t be the last, Willey said.  ”With so many kids eating so much candy and soda, and so many kids getting tooth decay, we thought this was an awesome way to promote healthy teeth and not eating so much candy. That’s really important, especially around Halloween,” Willey said.

Global sugar consumption by children is about 50 million tons annually and increases by about 2 percent per year, according to information provided by Maple Shade Dental Group.

Dunlap residents Lisa Steinkoenig and her three children, Abby, 10, and Ashley and Jack, both 8, and all three students at Banner Elementary School, turned in seven pounds of candy at the event.  Jack said he has a friend at school whose dad is serving in the military in Afghanistan, so when he heard about the chance to help troops by giving up some of his Halloween candy, he was excited to do so.  Ashley and Abby also thought the event was a great idea.  ”I wasn’t sad to give my candy even though I really like chocolate,” Ashley said. “It’s for the soldiers.”

Read the Story at pjstar.com

Heavy, Drowsy Truckers post risks on the road.   Scientists call for apnea screening; industry says weight isn’t only factor.   Truck driver Kenneth Armstrong is a big guy with a bigger problem.  At age 55, he stands 5-foot-11 and weighs 308 pounds, which doctors say helps to explain why he’s been diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea, a dangerous disorder that puts him at high risk for health problems, and falling asleep at the wheel.

Read More… http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31066019/#storyContinued

http://www.pjstar.com/archive/x1564860452/Biting-pain

Success begins with an eye-catching smile.  Cosmetic dentistry offers a variety of options including tooth-whitening, bonding, enamel shaping, cosmetic veneers, braces, and Invisalign.  Now with cosmetic dentistry you no longer have to be ashamed of discolored, chipped, or misshapen teeth.  Cosmetic Dentistry at Maple Shade offers options for you to enhance the beauty of your smile and to give you the confidence and success you have always dreamed of.

Even if you opt for a small change like teeth whitening, the change from discolored or stained teeth to bright white healthy looking teeth can dramatically improve the look of your teeth

Even the most subtle change in your smile can make a dramatic difference in the way you look and feel about yourself. Talk to your dentist about the options most suitable for you, what your expectations are and the dental fees involved. Some options are:

• Veneers are thin custom-made shells designed to cover the front side of teeth. Made of tooth-colored materials, veneers are used to treat gaps between teeth without braces or restore teeth that are chipped or worn, permanently stained, poorly shaped or slightly crooked.  Veneers are your best solution to a perfect smile.  Patients have the opportunity to pick the color and shape of each set of veneers.  Patients can choose shades between movie-star white to a more natural looking set of white veneers. 
• Zoom whitening is the fastest way to achieve a brighter smile.  The Zoom treatment from Maple Shade allows patients to whiten their teeth in only one visit providing there are properly screened as a good Zoom candidate.  Zoom works to open microscopic pores on the tooth surface and bleach the stained enamel deep into the surface of the tooth. 
• Day-White Take Home whitening makes it possible for patients to bleach effectively from the comfort of their own home.  Maple Shade will make custom designed bleaching trays at your screening appointment.  For one hour during the day at your own convenience you will wear the trays along with the bleaching gel provided.  You should notice improvement after the first treatment.  After two weeks your teeth will begin to see real change in your smile.
• Invisalign is an option for patients who are interested in having a straight perfectly formed smile without the hassle of wearing metal braces.  The Invisalign aligners are clear and almost invisible to onlookers.  Invisalign straightens teeth approximately twice as fast as conventional braces.  Invisalign can be removed while eating or flossing to keep them clear of debris.  Call in today for a free Invisalign consult to see if Invisalign if right for you.
• Composite Bonding can improve the appearance of teeth that are chipped, broken, cracked, stained, or have spaces between them. With bonding, tooth-colored materials are applied, or bonded, to the tooth surface.
• Enamel shaping involves modifying teeth to improve their appearance by removing or contouring enamel. The process, which often is combined with bonding, usually is quick and comfortable and the results can be seen immediately.
• Braces are not just for kids. Orthodontics may be needed if teeth are crooked, crowded or do not meet properly.  At Maple Shade our patients can be comforted in the fact that our doctors have been trained in the area of neuromuscular TMD (Temporal Mandibular Disorder).  We e won’t cause future problems by straightening teeth in such as way that your jaw joint and muscles become sore or inflamed.  Many people develop TMD after having orthodontics as a child which moved their teeth into a position which causes problems later in life.  Many of our TMD patients developed their symptoms because of previous orthodontic treatment.

Looking for Zoom whitening in Peoria, IL?  Look no further.  Maple Shade Specialty Center in Peoria, IL offers Zoom whitening.

A smile can be the most eye-catching feature of a face.  With dentistry’s many advances you no longer have to settle for stained, chipped, or misshaped teeth.  You now have choices that can help you smile with confidence.

Your smile is greatly impacted by the color of your teeth.  Teeth stain and turn yellow over time because of the many dark colored foods we eat every day.  Our teeth have microscopic pores which collect stain. Coffee, smoking, dark wines, soy sauce, cola sodas, and other dark staining foods tend to cause the most discoloration to our teeth over time.

Everyone wants to have a brighter whiter smile and now it is easier than ever.  Maple Shade Specialty Center in Peoria, IL offers Zoom teeth whitening.  If you are used to at home products that don’t produce the results you expected you will be in for a surprise.  The Zoom whitening process can be completed in only one treatment at Maple Shade.  Zoom whitening is one of the most popular teeth whitening methods. 

The Procedure 

Our hygienists apply the proprietary Zoom whitening gel which is designed to be used specifically with the Zoom light.  To prevent irritation to the gums, a retractor is used to keep the lips away from the bleach being used, and special gauze is placed on the gums to protect them.  The gel and the light work together to gently penetrate your teeth; which then breaks up the stains and discoloration. 

The Results 

One treatment through Zoom is much less complicated than using whiteners that take weeks or months to achieve minimal results.  Zoom whitening can produce up to eight shades whiter teeth in some cases. 

How long does it last?

Zoom whitening treatment does not last forever.   But Maple Shade offers a solution. Zoom whitening  at Maple Shade Dental Offices include a complimentary tube of bleach and bleaching trays for our patients to take home so that they can continue to bleach their teeth if they notice that dark staining foods are once again affecting the color of their teeth.   By drinking coffee, tea, and smoking it is possible to shorten the lasting effects of Zoom Whitening.  But on the bright side Zoom has the greatest effects on coffee drinkers and especially smokers. To keep teeth looking their best one should maintain a regular flossing and brushing routine with occasional ZOOM whitening touchups.  After you purchase the initial Zoom package keeping up with touchups is very simple and inexpensive.  By purchasing a set of bleach tubes at around $30.00 you have enough bleach gel to last for an entire year with touchups every three months.

Have you ever considered the possibilities of having straighter teeth without all the hassle of wearing conventional braces.  Invisalign is the answer for you.  Invisalign treatment as conducted by the Maple Shade Dental Group located in Peoria Illinois consists of a series of clear aligners that straighten your teeth much like braces. The Invisalign aligners are made of an inconspicuous clear plastic.  In this way you can experience the effects of traditional braces without anyone realizing you are wearing them.  Another great feature of Invisalign is that the aligners can be removed while you’re eating so you can clean them effectively unlike many conventional options for orthodontics.  Invisalign aligners are custom fit for your mouth.  During your first complimentary visit, a dental professional will take impressions and pictures of your teeth to find out if you are a good candidate for Invisalign. If the doctor finds that you are a good candidate we will then send the pictures and impressions to Invisalign who will make a digital model of the your mouth.  You can look over the digital model at either one of our convenient locations in North Peoria, or East Peoria, Illinois.  The digital model shows you exactly how your teeth will move over the course of the next few months.  You can also see a final product of what your teeth will look like after the Invisalign procedure. If you do decide to go through with Invisalign the doctor will accept the treatment online and your new aligners will arrive at Maple Shade shortly after they are ordered.  Invisalign is designed so that every two weeks you will switch to a new aligner.  Depending on your progress you may receive between two and three Invisalign aligners per visit.  Each aligner is designed so that it moves your teeth closer to the ending position.  The doctor will have you come back as needed to check your tooth movement progress and make sure the Invisalign aligners are working correctly.  The Invisalign aligners are to be worn as much as possible.  The more you wear Invisalign aligners the faster your teeth will move.  Once the Invisalign treatment is finished you will be given a retainer to be worn at night so your teeth stay in position.  Invisalign works approximately twice as fast as conventional orthodontic treatment.  If you’re ready to transform your smile with minimum effort and beautiful results then Invisalign is for you.  Now you can take charge of changing your smile without interfering with your everyday life. Call Maple Shade Dental Group, in Peoria, IL to schedule a complimentary consultation for Invisalign.

Dental veneers are one of the best options in cosmetic dentistry because they create bright white teeth, beautifully matched and aligned giving the appearance of perfect natural teeth.  At Maple Shade Dental Group located in Peoria, Illinois you will have the option to be treated by one of the most experienced cosmetic dentists in the country.   Bill Costaras D.D.S. FACE FIADFE  has practiced cosmetic dentistry exclusively for over 20 years.  His contributions to the field of cosmetic dentistry have earned him fellowships from two prestigious cosmetic dental organizations—the Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics and the International Academy of Dental Facial Esthetics. 

Your first cosmetic consultation is complimentary. We will take a couple of photos of your teeth & Dr. Bill Costaras will discuss the likes and dislikes of your smile.  You will then have the opportunity to look at your photos and discuss them with the doctor.  At this time Dr. Bill Costaras will describe your treatment options.  You will be able to look at similar before and after photos to get an idea of what your teeth may look like after the treatment.  Our cosmetic dentistry treatment coordinator Trista will then go over your treatment options and the associated costs in detail and answer any questions you may have.  If you choose to accept one of the treatments Maple Shade Dental Group provides two financing options, Care Credit and Springstone Financing.  Trista will explain each option if it’s something you are interested in.

Once you have decided on a treatment you will have the option of choosing the shape and color of your dental veneers.   Veneers can be made to suit many different tastes and preferences.  Whether it’s a natural smile that you desire or a movie star smile that pops and catches every eye in the room we can create the perfect smile for you.  Our in house dental lab provides exceptional work and allows for increased communication and tweaks to be sure that everything is done just the way you like it. For many years Dr. Bill Costaras, our cosmetic dentist has been associated with da Vinci Dental Studios, the originator in beautiful, high quality dental veneers.  As a result of his work with da Vinci, the producers of ABC TV’s Extreme Makeover hand picked Dr. Bill Costaras to be part of the “Extreme Team” network of providers for patients seek the ultimate in dental reconstruction. With the new materials available today veneers provide a more natural look than any previous option available.  Right here in Peoria, IL you have the option of choosing extremely high quality dental veneers, which compete with the top products in the market.  Dental veneers can be used to cover worn tooth enamel, uneven tooth alignment, spacing, chips, or cracks.  Dental veneers are a solution to abnormal spacing, weak enamel, and discoloration often occur with age. Soft drinks, tea, coffee, smoking and medications can cause dark yellow staining and break down of the teeth as well. At Maple Shade the veneer procedure is very quick and efficient. On the patients first visit back to the office they have their teeth prepped and our doctors will form a naturally looking temporary set of veneers for the patient to wear while the permanent veneers are being made at our laboratory.  This enables the patient to go on with their normal everyday life with a set of naturally looking temporary veneers.  In this way the patients at Maple Shade never have to appear like they are missing any teeth during the veneer process.  On the next visit the patient will have their custom veneers placed permanently.  The patient will leave the office with their permanent dental veneers beautifully designed to fit their smile.  Come see what Maple Shade cosmetic dentistry through dental veneers can do for you.