Say it Ain't So....A CPAP Alternative?!

Did you know that sleep apnea affects millions of people - and many of them don't even realize they have it?!

Although snoring is the most obvious of sleep apnea symptoms, skipping breaths while you sleep is by far a more serious health concern. Left untreated, sleep apnea can be associated with higher risks of serious health problems like heart attack or stroke. Sleep disorders can compromise your whole-body health. It is the number one most undiagnosed disease in this country and unfortunately affects a lot of us.

Imagine if you could stop snoring, stop feeling daytime fatigue, and start sleeping soundly… A good night's sleep may be closer than you think! I’m proud to offer alternatives to uncomfortable CPAP masks.

I have been making sleep/snoring devices for 10 years now, but four years ago instead of placing the lower jaw arbitrarily, judging by where my patient was unable to snore, I began fitting the appliance to the lower jaw's physiological position. The physiological position is where the jaw and muscles are most comfortable and relaxed. This greatly lessens the chance of incurring other problems, like headaches, muscle pain, bite changes, etc., when wearing an oral appliance. In fact, I have yet to have any patients complain of those symptoms since making the change.

Worn while you sleep, oral appliances position your mouth and jaw in a physiological position that makes breathing easier and will, in most cases, stop snoring and get rid of sleep apnea. The best part about these oral appliances is that they are less cumbersome than a CPAP machine. For patients who struggle with feelings of claustrophobia oral appliances have been a lifesaver…literally! My patients also enjoy that they are able to travel with their oral appliance with great ease, unlike a CPAP.  

If you're ready to start sleeping better, just give us a call at (936) 585-6611. I'd be happy to discuss your sleep apnea treatment options and find the sleep solution that works best for you.

For more information about sleep apnea solutions be sure to visit us here: www.drtimgardner.com

Your Dentist has a Great Grill

Do you need a new grill in time for a Labor Day cookout?

Don't worry...we can help!

It always amazes us when patients ask if we're accepting new patients. The answer is ABSOLUTELY! What we've found is our best patients come from people like you. In an effort to reward you for future referrals, we have a Weber Spirit 3-Burner Gas Grill we'll be raffling off just in time for your Labor Day festivities.

Effective immediately: Refer family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, etc. to  our office and receive entries into a drawing for an awesome grill.

The more you refer, the more you're rewarded. Here's how it works:

Refer one person and receive 1 entry. 

Your second referral will earn you 2 entries into the drawing.

A third referral will earn 4 entries. 

Referrals 4 and above will score 8 entries per referral.

The drawing will be held Monday, August 31, 2015 which gives you just enough time to buy burgers and hot dogs to throw on your new fire! 

We hope to be giving YOU a Weber grill soon! 

Experience the Magic of Your Beautiful Smile Makeover

Drab teeth make you look older and less energetic than you really are! Is is any wonder why half of all Americans are unhappy with their smile? If your teeth aren't in the best shape and you're embarrassed to show them, we can change all that!


Maybe you have a really nice smile and simply want a better one. You're entitled to enhance what you were born with!

We'll Return Your Smile to it's Natural Beauty!

Our cosmetic dentistry advancements can transform your smile into one that reflects the real you! We offer cutting-edge solutions for discolored, chipped, misshapen or missing teeth.

Honestly, once you see the improvement, you'll wonder why on earth you hadn't done this sooner! 

Something You Won't Find Elsewhere!

It's science, art and "personal touch" behind every proven cosmetic dentistry procedure we perform that makes us truly unique. 

We use only premium  materials and the most advanced technology. So you get that most phenomenal, predictable and natural-looking results possible! That's the science.

Your smile enhancements and color matches will harmonize beautifully with the rest of your teeth and your facial structure. That's the art.

We listen carefully to your needs, wants and budget concerns. We help you look fantastic and feel more self-assured wherever your smile takes you. That's where our personal touch comes in.

Smile Beauty is Timeless!

A pleasant and appealing smile has value at every age- for every aspect of your life.

And you've come to the right place!

 Call our office now and Let's Get Started Today!

For more information call us 936-539-3636 or visit us online at conroesmilemakeover.com

Cavity Prevention Can Save You Thousands!

The Data and Analysis Center reviewed more than 77 million Delta Dental claims and found that - over a lifetime - a single cavity can have serious economic consequences down the road. 

We can help you prevent tooth decay and save you a bundle!









With new advances in dental technology and treatment, we can stop tooth decay from progressing and beautifully restore damaged teeth. Once restored, proper home care will help your restorations last; however, there is no such things a a permanent dental restoration.

That's why we are so passionate about having you and your family come in for routine dental exams to help prevent tooth decay. That means not waiting until you're in pain to  call us!

Keep Your Pearly Whites Pristine!

A new study shows that since all restorations are "temporary" the lifetime cost of treating just one molar that started with a small filling - on average - is about $2,187. Multiply that by several teeth and you'll come up with lots of reasons you'd rather enjoy spending your hard-earned money on other things.

Every dollar spent on preventive care can save you money by avoiding restorative and emergency procedures.

Let's face it, by comparison an exam costs next to nothing. And this is where the real prevention comes in. We now know that when good oral hygiene is coupled with regular dental visits and cleanings - cavities are almost entirely preventable.

Yet, 90% of all adults have had one or more cavities. And nearly 80% of young people have had a cavity by age 17. We don't want you or you family to become another dental statistic. When caught early, we can restore the form and function of  your decayed teeth before more serious damage occurs.

If you really want to keep you pocketbook and your pearly whites happy...preventive dentistry is the way to go.

For more information and to schedule a reservation call 936-539-3636 or visit us at

www.conroesmilemakeover.com 

What affects facial development in kids?

Continually stuffy noses affect Face Development

Parents, does your child's nose always seem to be stopped up? Did you know that this could affect the way he or she looks, even as an adult? Have you seen children and adults with long faces? Not sad faces, but actual long faces? Have you noticed that they often have difficulty breathing through the nose? Often their mouth will be open slightly because it's easier for them to breathe that way.

There is a connection between mouth breathing and improper development of the bones of the face. So, does the breathing pattern cause the long face or does that long face cause the breathing problem? The answer is both. Actually, in this case, the continual breathing problem can in fact cause the bones of the face to grow differently. How does this occur? When a young child continually mouth breathes, the jaw rotates downward to open the mouth. Over the years, this causes the joint to actually grow differently, resulting in the jaw growing more downward and less forward.

Another results of the mouth being continually slightly open is that the tongue does not rest in the roof of the mouth. The tongue is a very powerful orthodontics and orthopedic force. Proper tongue position is necessary for proper teeth position and proper growth of the palate. Results are often a long, narrow palate with flared upper front teeth.

When the palate is narrow, the nasal passages also tend to be narrower and more easily clogged. Thus the "vicious cycle" is completed. Even as adults, these folks are more prone to constant blocked nasal passages due to their constricted size.

Now doesn't heredity provide the main input in the facial development? Yes, but it's not the only factor. If the child's genese say "short, round face" then no noticeable damage will likely be seen. If the child's genes already say "normal" or "long, narrow face" then mouth breathing may have a negative effect.

In summary, if your child is always stuffed up, talk to his or her physician. Don't worry about an occasional cold or sinus infection. The constant problems are usually allergy related. Reduce allergy producing things in the house (including smoking). See an allergy doctor if you need to, but try not to let the problems go untreated.

We are trained in orthodontics which can easily expand a growing child's palate and help redirect the direction of jaw growth. Once growth is complete, the surgery is usually needed to help correct the problems.

For more information or to find out if your child is a good candidate please give us a call at 936-539-3636.

Be Sweet to your Sweetie!

We love these alternatives to sweets

Roses are red. Violets are blue.

These alternative treats are sure to satisfy you.

This Valentine's Day serve up something special for your sweeties!

1. Heart-shaped pancakes: Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter and whole grain pancake mix to whip up a breakfast (or dinner!) everyone in your family will love. And, no arrows necessary. Take that, Cupid.

2. Fruit kabobs: Give the apple of your eye a kabob loaded with grapes, cherries and strawberries. Serve with some low-fat yogurt or pink cream cheese. Volia! They'll go bananas over it.

3. Nuts: Give them crunchy treats this year. After all, you're nuts about them anyway, so why not feed them healthy snacks?

4. Stickers: What better way to say, "I'm stuck on you!" than to give your kids a bag of stickers instead of a bag of candy.

5. Lip balm: Pucker up and read my lips, Valentine! Moisturize those smackers and get ready for some healthy eating this Valentine's Day. Your teeth will love you for it!!


For more information on keeping your pearly whites healthy visit us online at www.conroesmilemakeover.com

Dentist Celebrates Veterans' Day

Dr. Tim Gardner’s 1^st Annual Dentistry from Veterans event Friday and Saturday, November 2 and 3, proved to be a success. More than $26,000 worth of free dentistry was performed on 35 Montgomery County veterans.

            Veterans were asked to make a screening appointment prior to the event to diagnose

 

necessary treatment. Procedures done free of charge included cleanings, fillings, crowns and

 

extractions. Their mission was to take care of any infections present and catch issues before they

 

became painful.

            Volunteers included Dr. Jacob Burch (associate of Dr. Gardner) and all of Dr. Gardner’s hygienists and staff.

            The event proved to be very rewarding for volunteers and patients alike. Staff and volunteers thank patients for their patience and understanding throughout the day

            Dr. Gardner has always held the military in high regard and created this event to give back to those who have given so much to our country.

            For more information please visit www.drtimgardner.com.

 

Our Docs know what's up!

Dr. Timothy Gardner has earned the designation of Fellow

from LVI Global (LVI).

To be considered an LVI Fellow a doctor must participate in the LVI CORE curriculum, which includes a minimum of 278 continuing education hours of training in advanced aesthetics and neuromuscular sciences. They must also successfully complete the comprehensive examination to reflect an understanding of the clinical skills and principles taught in this series.

Only 271 dentists nationwide have earned LVI’s prestigious title of Fellow, one of which being Dr. Tim Gardner.

This accomplishment means a lot for our patients. Dr. Gardner is trained on not only recognizing, but treating chronic headaches, neck and shoulder pain, jaw pain, TMJ problems, etc. Resolving such issues help patients live a better, longer, more meaning full life free from chronic pain.

Dr. Gardner has set himself apart by choosing the path of lifelong learning and undergoing elective, continuous training at LVI. He has exemplified a desire to maintain the best clinical ability in order to offer a high level of aesthetic neuromuscular dentistry. This dedication distinguishes Dr. Gardner by proving his dedication to quality of care and a desire to master complex procedures in order to provide the best comprehensive care for his dental patients.

For more information on Dr. Gardner's accomplishments please visit www.drtimgardner.com

For more information on how neuromuscular dentistry can change your life visit www.lviglobal.com

The Hidden Danger of Snoring and Sleep Apnea

The more we learn the more we've realized that our greatest desire is to help the children of our practice. Children should not snore! If your child is snoring please bring him/her in for an evaluation. The sooner the better.

If a young child habitually mouth-breathes or exhibits any of these indications, it is especially important to have them evaluated as these conditions have a significant negative impact on development and form of oral, as well as facial, structures. It is also interesting to note that studies have shown that sleep disordered breathing is common among children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

If you are an adult and experiencing any of the following symptoms please give our office a call to schedule and evaluation:

-Snoring
-Fatigue
-Waking up tired
-Weight Gain
-Dry mouth/throat
-Sleepiness
-Difficulty concentrating
-Irritability

We know how debilitating sleep apnea can be; from chronic fatigue to heart attacks and strokes. In adults all we can do is manage the disease, but in children we can practically cure it by allowing the airway and mouth to develop correctly.


What is sleep apnea?
Apnea means to stop breathing. Sleep apnea refers to a condition wherein you stop breathing during sleep. Most of us know someone who snores during sleep. You may also know someone who has commented that their partner has stopped breathing during sleep for seemingly long periods-long enough to be frightening. While snoring is often made the subject of jokes or teasing, it could be an indication of a serious health problem. The severity and danger associated with sleep apnea range from snoring that irritates your partner to life-threatening medial conditions.

What are some options for treating sleep apnea?
In some cases, surgery to remove obstructions or to stiffen the flabby throat tissue may be recommended for treatment. For cases of severe sleep apnea, a CPAP is often the first choice for treatment. This means wearing a mask while sleeping that is connected to a small device that maintains a positive air pressure, pushing air into your lungs. However, although painless and effective, some patients and their partners do not tolerate sleeping with the CPAP machine very well. In those cases, and in many moderate cases, oral appliances, which are available in our office, are often a good choice.

What is the our role in treatment?
Dr. Gardner can make custom fitted oral appliances that are worn over the teeth at night to prevent the jaw from falling back during sleep, keeping the airway open. There are many designs of such appliances, and we'll help find the best one for your situation.

If you or someone you know exhibits any of the symptoms listed, be sure to bring it to our attention. We can provide further information about this potentially serious condition. You could save a life!

www.drtimgardner.com

We're Here for YOU!

Most people have probably been in this unfortunate situation: something, whether it be the plumbing, A/C, water, etc., goes haywire right after closing time for the business that can help. It’s simply not a fun or convenient place to be!

We never want our patients, or any other doctors’ patients for that matter, hurting through a weekend or evening. Besides being painful, a toothache can be indicative of an infection. And as you know infections are never good!

To ensure our patients, new and existing alike, are never put in a compromising dental situation we answer our phones 24/7 and happily see emergency patients on weekends and evenings. You can rest assured that our phones will be answered by a team member and not an answering service. We love helping people and take our job as dental professionals very seriously.

Although we never want to meet you or a loved one under emergency circumstances, please keep us in mind should the need arise.

Also remember that regular check-ups can practically eliminate emergency situations. If you're looking to establish a new dentist, look no further. We're always accepting new patients and would love to make you apart of our dental family.

Check us out online at www.drtimgardner.com or call 936-539-3636 for more information.