http://muncie.thestarpress.com/muncieareafinest/

Click the link above from April 19th through April 24th for the final round of voting on Muncie’s Finest Dentist!!  Thank you for your support!

In today’s busy world, it’s easy to catch yourself “coming and going.”  Unfortunately, most of us aren’t perfect with our Outlook calendars.  So, to help confirm your appointments here at our office, we have partnered with Sesame Communications.  Sesame works directly with our web site to not only send you notification of your upcoming appointments via e-mail or text messaging, but also give you access (through a secure network) to your chart information as well as your account information!  That way, you can track your dental work throughout the year (for tax purposes), pay a bill online, or simply peek at your x-rays or photos!

Also, following any appointment here at our office, there is an online survey.  This survey allows you to give us direct feedback as to how we’re doing from the convenience of your home!  We always want to know, from your perspective, how we’re doing.  Sesame offers a quick and easy way to do just that.

Finally, this will allow you easy and direct access to our web site.  On our site, we have information about all of the services we provide, photos of some cases, as well as a testimonial page.  With your permission, we might even use your case or testimonial on our site someday!  You can also request an appointment or send us a quick note to update your personal information.  We are also working on providing an area that gives you information about each one of our wonderful staff members.

So, as soon as you see this blog, go to the patient log in and follow the easy steps.  We look forward to giving each one of you a “peak” experience soon!

Sincerely,

Greg

Today is the last day to nominate your favorite dentist as Muncie’s Finest! Click on the link below to vote today!

http://muncie.thestarpress.com/muncieareafinest/

Thank you for your support!

Dr. Pyle & Staff

In many sports, high-speed collisions are an unavoidable part of the game.  Unfortunately, many of these collisions can result in lacerations, fractured teeth, lost teeth, and concussions.  Athletic    mouthguards have been shown to be very effective in reducing or eliminating these painful and costly injuries.  A proper athletic mouthguard, custom fitted by me and my staff, will offer athletes the best combination of comfort and proper protection. 

The National Youth Sports Foundation for the Prevention of Athletic Injuries has reported that dental injuries are the most common type of orofacial injury sustained during the participation of sports.  It is estimated by the American Dental Association that athletic mouthguards prevent approximately 200,000 injuries per year in high school and collegiate football alone!

Unfortunately, the word “mouthguard” is universal and generic, and includes a large range and variety of products for “over the counter” guards to professionally manufactured and custom fitted guards (made by us). 

The stock mouthguards available at sporting goods stores are limited in sizes, and the least protective.  They are usually bulky, uncomfortable, and interfere with speech and breathing.  They can be removed from the package and immediately worn.  This type is held in place by keeping the teeth closed down around it.  It offers very little protection from concussions.

There are also “boil and bite” mouthguards.  This is the most common on the market.  These are also limited in sizes and often lack proper extensions and do not cover all of the back teeth.  Many athletes will in turn cut and alter these due to the bulkiness.  This type is also poor fitting and often times the athlete will bite through the mouthguard during forming and this increases their chance of injury, especially concussion from a blow to the chin.  A certain thickness and extension are necessary for proper protection.

Custom-made mouthguards are made here at our office.  An impression (mold) of your teeth is made, and then a specially fitted mouthguard is fabricated to fit precisely over your teeth.  A uniform thickness is attained, therefore greatly increasing the comfort and protection.  Recently, we have become authorized makers of the new Under Armor Performance Mouthwear.  This is an entirely new category of performance mouthguards and mouthpieces designed for all athletes looking to get better in their chosen sport.  While mouthguards offer protection, the UA Performance Mouthwear enhances performance!  It works because of several factors.  First, clenching your teeth together triggers the production and release of a cascade of hormones, including cortisol, the stress hormone.  Mouthwear powered by ArmourBite Technology prevents teeth clenching and relieves pressure on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).  By preventing the excessive production of hormones, the body is able to unlock its full potential!  There are several studies to back up the technology.  For more information, check online at www.underarmour.com

If you are interested in a custom fitted mouthguard, or, better yet, are interested in increasing your athletic capabilities with the new UA Performance Mouthwear, please contact our office.  These necessary parts of your athletic equipment are reasonably priced and should be worn for all sports.  Please ask about team discounts as well!

Sincerely,

Dr. Greg Pyle

This quote above has become our daily motto.  It’s something we strive for each and every day.  In order to accomplish this kind of service, we have to get additional training.  As most of you know, all of us at Dr. Pyle’s office are often “sent away” to continuing education.  Well, this time, Dr. Pyle let the education come to us!

 Mary Lynn Wheaton, the consultant team leader at the Pride Institute, came all the way from San Francisco, CA for an in-house 2 day educational course.  The Pride Institute is the nation’s leading practice management company that was started over 30 years ago by the late Dr. Jim Pride.  Dr. Pyle worked closely with Dr. Pride and his staff, especially Mary Lynn, in developing his practice into the unique dental practice that many of you have witnessed firsthand!

 As you know, dentistry is not only about exceptional technical skills.  It’s also about working with people.  Our patients are not just patients here at Dr. Pyle’s office; we feel our patients are part of our family!  We are constantly looking for better ways to serve all of you, ways to make your appointments timelier, less stressful, and in these challenging economic times, more affordable.

 So, we spent 2 full days looking for ways to help you, our patient!  Mary Lynn did a wonderful job in customizing her visit for our office.  We learned better verbal skills, better examination skills, as well as throwing in a little fun along the way.

 Here are a few quotes from some of the staff:

 “Everyone left the Pride meeting on Friday feeling fired up and ready to start implementing the new things we learned and start doing things we might have forgotten.”   Angie

 “There were several new employees who had never worked with a consultant before.  To say the least, it was an eye opener, realizing the detail that goes in to making each patient’s visit a true “experience”.”  Liz

 “We made an “action list” to be sure we followed through on all the items we talked about for the 2 days.  That way we’ll be sure the practice runs more smoothly and efficient, ultimately benefitting our patients.”  Monica

 “Normally our office would go to a course with several other offices.  With the in-house visit, we were able to fully customize all of our ideas to our practice.”   Barb

 So, there you have it!  Just another example of the lengths all of us will go to make your visit outstanding!  Please ask us about our course the next time you’re in the office.  We’d love to tell you about it!

Liz, Expanded Duty Dental Assistant

Halitosis, (bad breath) can be a result of poor oral hygiene or may be a sign of other health problems. Other dental causes of bad breath can be from smoking or chewing tobacco, poor fitting dental appliances such as partial and full dentures, infections in the mouth, and dental caries (cavities).

As Muncie dentist Dr. Pyle explains to his patients “if you don’t brush and floss your teeth daily, the food particles left in your mouth promote bacteria growth between your teeth, around the tongue and along the gums”

If you eat foods with strong odors (like garlic or onions) , then brushing, flossing, and even mouthwash merely cover up the odor, but it may not go away completely until these foods have passed through your body.

A Warning Sign of Gum Disease

Persistent bad breath or a bad taste may be a warning of gum disease. Gum disease is caused by the buildup of plaque on teeth. The bacteria causes toxins to form in the mouth that irritate the gums. If periodontal disease (gum disease) is left untreated it will damage the gums and jawbone and you can lose teeth.

Xerostomia (dry mouth) is a medical condition that can cause bad breath. Saliva is necessary to moisten and cleanse the mouth. Your saliva neutralizes acids produced by plaque and it washes away dead cells that accumulate on your cheeks, tongue, and gums. Dry mouth can be a side effect of medications, salivary gland problems, or something as simple as continuous breathing through the mouth.

Other diseases and illnesses can cause bad breath also. Some to be aware of are:

• Respiratory tract infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia
• Chronic sinus infections
• Diabetes
• Acid reflux
• Liver or kidney problems

Bad breath can be reduced or prevented if you:

• Practice good oral hygiene-Brush twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste. Don’t forget to brush your tongue too! Floss daily. Replace your toothbrush about every 3 months. Dentures and partials should be removed and cleaned daily
• See your dentist, Dr. Pyle, regularly-at least twice a year.
• Stop all tobacco based products- Ask Dr. Pyle for tips on kicking the habit
• Drink lots of water-This will keep your mouth moist. Sugarless gum or mints will also help stimulate saliva flow

Many over the counter mouthwashes claim to eliminate bad breath. However, keep in mind that these usually only provide a temporary way to mask mouth odor. There are some antiseptic mouth rinses available that will kill the germs that cause bad breath. Ask expert cosmetic dentist Dr. Pyle or anyone of his helpful team which is best for you.

To Our New Patients,

We would like to personally welcome you to our practice. You will find your dental experience at the office of Dr. Greg Pyle to be quite unique!

Our vision is to address the wants and needs of each patient by not only meeting, but exceeding their expectations. You will find that both Dr. Pyle and our wonderful staff show a genuine concern for each patient’s comfort and will work closely with you to establish a long-term relationship that will ultimately lead to the dental health you deserve! We look forward to getting to know you.

We at Dr. Greg Pyle’s office in Muncie, Indiana are proud to be part of a team whose primary mission is to deliver the finest and most comprehensive oral care available today. In addition, we are also dedicated to making top-quality care as cost-effective as possible.

To assist you with your oral health care investment, we provide the following payment policy and or options:

Payment is due at time of service but as a courtesy we will file with your insurance company. We do request your co-pay portion be paid the day of your appointment. Balance in full is due once we have received the final payment from your insurance company. We at Dr. Pyle’s office accept cash, check and Visa/MasterCard as forms of payment. If balance in full cannot be paid within 30 days and you do not have a credit card, you are responsible for calling to set up a payment agreement. We will set up a 3 month payment agreement in our office. If you need a longer time to pay we will refer you to CareCredit which will allow you to extend payments for a longer period of time than we are able to offer in office. CareCredit is a credit service of GE Captial Consumer Card Co. and offer plans that also include no interest payment plans.

As another year comes to a close, and another year begins, I always take time to step back, review and assess the previous year, as well as plan for the upcoming year.

Fresh Technology and Atmosphere

The past year of 2008 brought a lot of change to our office. As the year began, we made plans for new computer hardware, intra-oral cameras, and upgrades to our digital x-ray system – including a new digital panoramic x-ray machine. We also planned some upgrades to our facility, which included painting the building and adding an awning. As these projects got underway, new projects became required, including the replacement of some of the wood and walls.

As the year progressed, other challenges presented themselves that resulted in new flooring and carpeting! We’re confident that these improvements to our office enhance our practice atmosphere for our visitors. More importantly, our patients can feel safe in this healthy environment, when it comes to their care. 

 
Team Growth

On the flip side, 2008 also brought reason for celebration. We added a new member to our team that many of you have met. Jane Ann, our financial coordinator, is doing a wonderful job with financial arrangements, making it possible for patients to follow through with the care they need.

Our team as a whole also attended the Indiana Dental Association annual meeting in May. At that meeting, each team member attended a course to enhance their specific area of expertise in the office. We also attended a meeting in Louisville in the fall. Sponsored by the Hornbrook Group, one of the nation’s leading dental educators, we learned ways to make your experience at our office even more memorable. Our hygiene team, Jill and Barb attended a course that discussed new instrumentation in hygiene.  These new instruments will allow the hygienists to better access certain areas of your teeth, and make your appointments more comfortable as well!

 
Lastly, I attended a meeting in Milwaukee that centered on TMJ treatment and Headache management. I also attended another meeting in the fall focused on the same subject. Both of these courses were held by Dr. Barry Glassman, one of dentistry’s leaders in Chronic Pain Management and Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ). I found Dr. Glassman’s courses, as well as his style really matches up to my treatment processes.

 We ended the year on a high note, having our annual holiday party hosted at our home. We had a wonderful dinner, (catered by some of our patients at Buffin Catering), followed by a fun evening of board games and great conversation. I feel very fortunate to have surrounded myself with such a wonderful team!

 
On to 2009

We have a lot in store for the New Year! First of all, we are very much ‘in tune’ to the struggling economy. Therefore, we are committed to keeping our fees for continuing care the same as they were in 2008. These include hygiene appointments, periodical exams, and x-rays, as we mentioned in the letter sent to our patients. We are also looking for many ways to make financial arrangements a bit more flexible, therefore allowing patients more options so they don’t have to postpone needed and wanted dental care!

I’m also looking forward to taking another course by Dr. Glassman, which will concentrate on treating sleep apnea and snoring. As research shows, lack of quality sleep effects every facet of people’s lives – from serious health problems to productivity and safety. Expanding our services will allow us to give you better care in one setting.

So, all in all, 2009 promises to be another exciting and fulfilling year. As we’ve done in the past, we will continue to improve ourselves in ways that benefit your experience here at our office, voted by you as 2008’s “Muncie’s Finest”!

Today’s issues in health care revolve around the control of the spread of infectious diseases such as AIDS, herpes, hepatitis, influenza, tuberculosis, and even the common cold.  We share your concerns about this important issue.

Because your total health is our first priority, our office takes infection control seriously.  That is why we have adopted the very latest in prevention techniques, including:

1. Barrier techniques-we wear disposable masks and gloves that are always changed between patients.
2. Disinfectant wipe down-we clean all operatory surfaces with disinfectant prior to each and every patient.
3. Instrument sterilization- we use an ultrasonic sterilizer and a steam autoclave to assure the sterility of all our instruments.

Our staff understands the importance of taking a comprehensive and professional approach to infection control.  When your appointment begins, you may notice a package wrapped in blue paper near the dental chair.  This contains our dental instruments which have been carefully  prepared for your visit.  You can be assured that these instruments have been processed in a manner which safeguards your health.

Feel free to ask any staff member here at our office about our infection control system.  We feel it’s just another reason  we were voted Muncie’s finest Dental office!

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The mission of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is to save lives, prevent injuries, and protect the health of America’s workers.  OSHA establishes  guidelines and standards to promote worker safety and health that apply to every workplace in the United States, including dental offices.  If you have any questions about the standards, they are available on the OSHA website at www.osha.gov or by calling toll free at (800) 321- OSHA.  Most OSHA materials are available at no charge.  You can search for a specific subject by using the alphabetic index near the top of the home page or by clicking on Laws and Regulations under Compliance Assistance, then clicking on OSHA Regulations.  If you call the toll free number, operators will direct the caller to the appropriate federal or state office.

Our Continuing Care vision is to inspire our patients to take a personal interest and responsibility in their oral health.  Our dental hygienists take pride in updating our patients concerning their oral heath at every continuing care visit, providing home care instruction, new product information, and recommendations for a successful outcome.

At every continuing care visit, our dental hygienists measure your gum health for periodontal disease.  Periodontal disease includes gingivitis, which, if left untreated, may result in bone loss, tooth loss, or possibly other systemic health problems.  Periodontal disease has been linked to heart attacks, kidney disease, diabetes, premature low-birth weight babies, and prostate cancer.

Dr. Pyle will also perform an oral cancer exam at each continuing care visit.  Oral cancer can be very dangerous, as they are highly metastatic (rapidly spreading) in nature.

Our hygienists have been employed in our office for over 6 years.  They value good patient relationships.  They will take the time necessary to properly clean your teeth and still create a friendly atmosphere for patient care.  Call us today to become part of our dental “family”.  We look forward to meeting you!

If you have any questions about dental hygiene care please use the comment portion of our blog to write them. We will be happy to answer your questions.

New Product Information

• Everyone loves that “just from the dentist clean feeling” after having their teeth professionally cleaned by a dental hygienist.  However, not everyone loves the process to achieve that feeling!  Our office has introduced a new product called Oraqix to increase patient comfort.  Oraqix is a non-injectable local anesthetic gel that consists of lidocaine and prilocaine.  The gel is placed around your gum tissue and will anesthetize the area for approximately 30 minutes.  This allows the dental hygienist to thoroughly remove plaque and tartar build up from under the gum line while the patient remains comfortable!
• Do you dislike the gritty toothpaste used to polish your teeth after scaling?  Another new product in our office is the Butler Paste Free prophy angle.  Stains are polished off your teeth and left to feel smooth and clean without using the paste.