Newsletter Winter 2012 RELIEF FOR SLEEP APNEA SUFFERERS Do you or your companion snore, or are you fatigued during the day? If so, you may be suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). OSA is a breathing disorder that Dr. French now treats. Research shows OSA is very common, and most patients are unaware they have a problem. Untreated OSA has been clearly linked to heart attacks, cardiovascular disease, strokes, hypertension, and diabetes. Dr. French says, “Treating sleep apnea is very rewarding work. Patients are so thankful to be screened and treated here in our office. CPAP wearers are particularly happy to have a viable alternative to the CPAP mask. Dr. French is also a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. Start your new year with a brighter smile! Back by popular demand, we are offering a $200 take-home whitening “special” that can be used as a gift for a friend, a loved one, or for yourself! If you prefer immediate results, we are also offering a $300 in-office whitening special. Stop by or call Kristy or Nicole, and they’ll be happy to help you. THE STAFF Top: Jessica and Nicole Middle: Megan, Dr. French, Dr. Pope, and Kristy Bottom: Elizabeth, Ally, and Barb You may have noticed some new faces and a familiar face in a new place this past year. We welcome to our team Elizabeth, our hygienist, and Ally our newest dental assistant. We hope you get a chance to meet them soon. Nicole has moved up to the front desk area to provide you with exceptional customer service. SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST: Here’s a photo of Barb, our hygienist, crossing the finish line of the Ironman Triathlon! She swam 2.4 miles, biked 112 miles, and then ran a full 26.2 mile marathon! Our hats go off to her on this great accomplishment! DENTAL IMPLANT SERVICES HAVE ARRIVED Recently, Dr. Pope completed a year-long continuum in dental implantology at the Medical College of Georgia, recognized and approved by the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. Besides placing implants at Hamilton Lakes Dentistry, Dr. Pope and a team of dentists recently placed almost 100 implants while addressing an underserved community in The Dominican Republic. Dental implants can help retain loose dentures or retain a full set of porcelain bridgework. They can replace a missing molar to help chew or they can restore the aesthetics of your smile. Now that implants have become so predictable, dental “bridges” are becoming the second choice for tooth replacement in most cases. Dr. Pope says, “Some dentists only train for a weekend and start placing implants. That’s unacceptable. Thanks to intensive training and real-world experience, I can provide safe and effective implant placement for our patients, and that’s very important to me.”