SPECIAL SECTION

HEALTH

special section

COSMETIC DENTISTRY FOR HEALTH AND LONGEVITY

Our smiles are more than just a feature of our faces. Smiles can make a huge difference in how we feel about ourselves. Research shows that an attractive smile can boost job and social prospects and self-confidence.

With the recent advancements in cosmetic dentistry, it's easier than ever to improve the appearance of your smile! Not only can this make you feel better about yourself, but it can also result in healthier teeth and gums.

IS COSMETIC DENTISTRY RIGHT FOR ME?

Cosmetic dentistry is a unique blend of form and function. In many cases, cosmetic dentistry is performed to restore damaged, discolored or crowded teeth to their optimal functionality, appearance and health.

Cosmetic dentistry can help patients through several common techniques. Whiter teeth can be achieved through custom take-home kits or in-office Zoom whitening. For straighter teeth, Invisalign is a great resource to get the look you want without the hassle of traditional braces. For many patients, veneers can be an excellent option to greatly improve their smile’s appearance quickly. Typically, veneers can be completed in only two to three visits.

MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT COSMETIC DENTISTRY

Many patients have misconceptions about the cost and scope of the procedures used in cosmetic dentistry. You may be surprised that cosmetic procedures such as whitening can be very affordable. If you’re interested in improving your smile through cosmetic procedures, please contact any of our convenient area locations in Germantown, East Memphis and Bartlett for more information on creating a treatment plan customized to your individual needs.

Dr. Wade Clayton

Text by Dr. Wade Clayton

GETTING HEALTHY IN AN UNHEALTHY WORLD

Imagine you are driving down the interstate one bright, sunny day when suddenly your check engine light comes on and your car begins to slow. Once on the shoulder, you remember that your car was due for an oil change about 20,000 miles ago. Additionally, you realize that you have replaced the premium fuel that your car owner’s manual suggested with cheaper, regular fuel. You also ignored the recommended 60,000-mile service.

Obviously, this is an over exaggeration—you would never ignore servicing your vehicle. Nor would you put improper fuel in its tank. Many of us do, however, ignore the daily signs that our most important vehicle, our body, is not running properly.

With fast food restaurants on almost every corner and increased stressors of daily life, it is no wonder that Americans have seen the size of their waistlines greatly increase over the last decade. In fact, according to the CDC, a whopping 73.6% of Americans ages 20 and over are overweight or obese. This increases their risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, cancer and premature death. Americans dine out more than ever before. We spend less time around the family dinner table and more time going through drive-thrus or sitting at restaurants; more hours sitting in front of screens and fewer hours outside. Unfortunately, all these factors have served to the detriment of our health.

How can we stay healthy while living in this unhealthy world?

1. Decide to make a lifestyle change.

Take the word “diet” out of the equation. Fad diets inevitably fail and old habits creep back. Real change occurs when your daily habits change permanently.

2. Set a goal to make one small change a week.

A good goal may be to increase water intake and eliminate soft drinks or replace prepackaged foods with fresh veggies and healthy protein. By adding a new habit each week, you will begin to see changes in the way you look and feel without being overwhelmed.

3. Get outside in the fresh air and sunshine.

Walk outdoors for at least 20 minutes every day. This habit is good for your mind as well as your body!

4. Fuel your body properly.

Seek guidance from a trusted health-care professional if you are unsure which foods are best for you to eat to make positive changes. Having a simple meal plan to get you on track makes the transition to healthy eating easier.

5. Get a tune-up!

Do you know your body fat percentage? What is your Vitamin D level? Thyroid functioning optimally? Do you have chronic inflammation in your body? Are your hormones balanced? These are all important factors to know before starting your overall health and weight modification. Receiving answers to these questions from a physician who specializes in obesity medicine is a good place to start. Obesity medicine board certification equips doctors to help you implement evidence-based strategies for losing weight and keeping it off.

Text by Allison White; Owner, WellnessMD

THE IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTIVE AND CORRECTIVE DENTAL CARE

When it comes to oral hygiene, most adults overlook the importance of both preventive and corrective dental care. Of course, we’re taught as children to brush and floss daily, but these practices affect much more than just the brightness of your smile. Your oral health directly impacts your overall well-being — in fact, a tooth infection can literally be lifethreatening! Because of this strong oral-systemic connection, it’s crucial to understand the positive impact preventive and corrective dental care has on your overall health.

PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY

Did you know that only about 58% of Americans visit their dentist regularly? This means that almost half of the population skips their annual dental visit! In order to fully reap the benefits of preventative dentistry, you need to be visiting your dentist twice a year for exams and cleanings. Routine visits allow your oral physician to check for and treat emerging oral issues before they become a bigger problem.

Along with a thorough oral exam, there are a few other preventive practices that your dentist may want to implement during your visit. Regular cleanings, sealants and fluoride applications are all popular treatments that help prevent bacteria build-up, tooth decay, gum disease and other oral complications that can lead to more serious health issues down the road. X-rays are another diagnostic aid that can help your dentist analyze the condition of your teeth and easily spot potential problem areas that are not visible within a clinical exam. With all of these options in your oral hygiene arsenal, you’ll be able to keep your mouth healthy and happy for years to come!

CORRECTIVE DENTISTRY

If you haven’t been practicing preventive dental care, don’t give up on your smile — corrective dentistry is another great option for improving your oral health. Veneers, while mainly known for upgrading the cosmetic aspect of your smile, actually provide several dental health benefits! These coverings can provide protection for and help you maintain your existing teeth, reduce tooth sensitivity, enhance oral function, and even improve your bite.

Not only are veneers beneficial for your oral and systemic health, but they improve the appearance of your smile and can help boost your confidence. If your teeth are discolored, worn down, chipped or misaligned, these coverings will straighten and brighten the overall look of your smile in a natural-looking way. No matter your past history with dental care, veneers give you a fresh start and a stunning smile that will last!

It’s never too early or too late to improve your oral health — with preventive and corrective dentistry at your fingertips, you can take control of your smile. Contact our dental experts at Memphis Center for Family and Cosmetic Dentistry to learn more about dental care or to be seen by Dr. Miles Moore.

ADVANCED TECHNIQUES AND SPECIALIZED SURGEONS ARE KEY FOR

NATURAL-LOOKING COSMETIC SURGICAL RESULTS Text by Phillip Langsdon

In the past many people feared cosmetic surgery because of concerns with anesthesia, pain, costs or an unnaturallooking result. However, with the rise of new techniques and sub-specialization, natural-looking results in a cost-effective and comfortable environment are easier than ever to obtain.

Surgical specialists well versed in the newest techniques provide the best results. Dr. Phillip R. Langsdon specializes in the face and nose. His partner Dr. Roberto Lachica specializes in breast and body contouring procedures. Carol Langsdon, RNP, specializes in Botox® and facial fillers.

PLASTIC SURGERY AND RESHAPING THE BODY

Whether it’s pregnancy, breast feeding, weight loss, gravity or age, the result is the same; changes are bound to occur in the shape of breasts and tummy. Although these changes may be permanent, natural-appearing restoration of shape can be achieved with the right surgical procedures.

Breasts: New smooth silicone gel breast implants have a natural feel and appearance and are both safe and longlasting. By combining these implants with a lifting and positioning technique simultaneously, a procedure called “augment plus lift” can provide ideal results. This is the most complex breast reshaping and requires the highest level of knowledge, experience, judgment and skill—traits only possessed by a surgeon who specializes in the procedure, not a “jack of all trades” who performs any and all types of surgery.

Tummy: A sagging tummy may be treated while also treating excess fat in the “love handles,” back or “saddlebags.” These changes are circumferential (360˚) and may be obvious in swimwear or form-fitting clothes.

Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and simultaneous liposuction can result in a tighter, flatter, smoother tummy area and an enhanced three-dimensional lower-body silhouette that is visible from the front and the back.

Dr. Roberto Lachica of The Langsdon Clinic specializes in breast and body contouring surgery, using the newest and best combined techniques. He is known for outstanding outcomes.

PLASTIC SURGERY OF THE FACE

Facelift surgery can be a life-enhancing procedure that can help both men and women regain a more youthful appearance.

People may fear they will end up with a stretched or windblown look. It does not have to be that way, however.

Today’s options include several different kinds of facelifts. It is important to note that different levels of specialized expertise also exist among surgeons providing the procedures.

A relatively new development is the deep plane facelift, a technique that reverses signs of aging by repositioning muscle first. “Rather than just pulling on the skin or elevating the fascial layer a little bit, a deep plane facelift goes beneath and lifts the entire muscle sheet that runs from the upper cheek to the mid-cheek, jowls, the entire jawline and the upper neck,” says Dr. Langsdon. “It lifts the overlying skin in a naturallooking manner.”

Unlike other types of facelifts, a deep plane lift does not simply stretch the skin like a skin pull lift. It is done at the Langsdon Clinic’s certified private outpatient surgical facility under IV sedation that is usually pleasant and easier to tolerate, much like the type of anesthesia used during a colonoscopy.

Dr. Langsdon of The Langsdon Clinic in Memphis is one among a very small group of highly experienced surgeons across the U.S. who perform this procedure on a regular basis. The result is a simple, effective and natural-looking solution to sagging and bagging of the aging face.

NON-SURGICAL AESTHETICS

While many places today offer Botox® or facial fillers, The Langsdon Clinic and their experienced staff use state-of-theart techniques for both surgical and non-surgical procedures.

Carol Langsdon, RNP, is responsible for nursing aesthetics including Botox®, facial fillers, skin treatment, peels and other non-surgical treatments. She designed and oversees a custom TCA skin-peeling program that rivals most laser and light-based skin improvement tools. She participated in the early clinical trials for an injectable facial filler. Most importantly, Carol is not only the best at what she does, she will not push patients to purchase products or have injectable treatments. She only provides what the patient needs and what has the best chance to be beneficial, and she goes beyond expectations in providing natural results in the most comfortable way found anywhere.

Dr. Langsdon is a pioneer in facial plastic surgery. He developed techniques which revolutionized contouring improvements in saggy necks and nasal deformities. His techniques have been adopted by many other leading facelift surgeons throughout the world. He has been recognized for his work in the Commercial Appeal, Memphis Magazine, Castle Conolly, America’s Top Doctors, Delta Sky Magazine, and the Consumer’s Research Council of America’s Best Plastic Surgeons. Dr. Langsdon served as 2018-2019 president of the American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery.

Roberto D. Lachica, M.D., is an aesthetic plastic surgeon in his 24th year of practice. He is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He has been recognized for his work and reputation by Memphis Magazine, Memphis Health and Fitness Magazine, and Castle Conolly (America’s Best Plastic Surgeons).

Carol Langsdon, RNP, is an expert nurse injector. She has over 30 years of experience in facial aesthetics. Her results are as natural-looking as one can find, and she goes beyond what is usually seen in clinics and spas to make her treatments as comfortable and natural-looking as possible.

The Langsdon Clinic provides a fullservice, state-licensed outpatient facility on site, where patients receive the highest quality care from an extremely knowledgeable team. Staff members are ready to address both standard and complicated cases. Known as one of the top facial aesthetic surgery clinics in the United States, The Langsdon Clinic now offers national-level expertise in breast and body procedures in a safe, cost-effective clinic and surgical facility.

Call 901.755.6465 or go to www. drlangsdon.com to learn more about the most advanced nose, face, breast or body cosmetic surgery and about non- surgical aesthetics.

HARBORCHASE: A SURPRISINGLY VIBRANT AND ECLECTIC DINING DESTINATION

Ask friends and family if they would expect to enjoy gourmet dinners or handcrafted artisanal sandwiches and cocktails on the menu at a senior living community, and they would likely respond “no.” People’s perceptions of senior living dining were shaped in years past. But, as they say, the times are changing, and it could not happen fast enough for today’s aging boomer generation. They know what they like, want the freedom to make choices, and enjoy breaking bread with friends and family any time of the day.

Memphis has delicious dining options and HarborChase of Cordova can be added to the list of destination restaurants worth the visit. More like those found in a luxury resort than a senior living community, the restaurants at HarborChase of Cordova are a particular point of pride for residents, associates and visiting professionals. The community’s five on-site restaurants – Signatures, Counter-Offer Café, Fusion Lounge, The Chef’s Studio and The Grill Room – provide culinary options ranging from gourmet, five-course dinners to casual, grab-and-go fare.

At The Chef’s Studio, professionally trained chefs showcase their culinary talents through live demonstrations and special tastings, while The Grill Room provides an intimate, reservation-only weekend dining experience featuring land, sea and air entrees. Counter-Offer is a delightful cafe near the main entrance offering artisanal sandwiches, handcrafted salads, pastries and a variety of beverages, coffees and snacks. For residents who prefer something less formal than the traditional three-course meal in Signatures, the cafe is ideal. Counter-Offer is also a convenient spot for professionals and families who frequent the community to find fresh, fast meals, as well as an ideal meeting space. In the heart of the community is Fusion Lounge, a full-service bar. Daily happy hours include appetizers like the famous HarborChase crab cakes and charcuterie board, live music, and the occasional Smartini trivia game. It is surprisingly vibrant and welcoming.

If you like delicious meal varieties, new culinary experiences, warm hospitality and excellent service, pay a visit to one of HarborChase of Cordova’s restaurants, located at 1600 Appling Road.

TEXT BY KARI HOPPER, DIRECTOR OF SALES FOR HARBORCHASE CORDOVA PHOTOS COURTESY OF HARBOR RETIREMENT ASSOCIATES

YOUR BEST ACCESSORY IS YOUR SMILE

Text by Dr. Ryan Vick

No, REALLY! The first thing that people notice about you is your smile. A bright, beautiful smile draws people in. Because of this, being confident in your smile can elevate your personal and professional goals. It has been scientifically proven that smiling makes you happier. It is important to partner with an experienced cosmetic dentist who can create and maintain your beautiful smile.

The best and longest lasting way to create a beautiful smile is by custommade porcelain veneers. Veneers are an extremely conservative way to elevate your smile, make you look younger, and make you the best version of yourself. Beautiful, natural veneers are custom made by a master ceramist at an exclusive cosmetic dental lab to which not all dentists have access. Artistry and engineering come together to create a perfect smile. Veneers are bonded to your teeth and with good maintenance they can last forever!

What if I like my teeth, but would rather they were straighter? There are excellent, conservative and cosmetic means to straighten teeth now. Invisalign®, which straightens teeth over time using invisible clear plastic trays, is by far the best clear aligner available.

Do your teeth have tiny chips or cracks in them? Cosmetic bondings are a great option for very minor wear and tear. Bonding is extremely conservative and can look very natural.

Happy with your teeth but not happy with their color? Whitening is a good answer. Teeth whitening has been around for some time now. It is true that some teeth whiten better than others. It is also true that as we age, whitening becomes less and less effective. One benefit of porcelain veneers as opposed to whitening is that they should never discolor or stain.

The most beautiful smiles also happen to be the healthiest! In general, biannual cleanings and exams are an excellent way to maintain a beautiful smile. Dr. Vick and his team of hygienists partner with their patients to ensure that a beautiful smile lasts a lifetime.

Dr. Ryan Vick

Dr. Vick is a highly skilled and trained cosmetic dentist and has been recognized by many peers in this area of expertise. He was recently voted as Memphis Magazine’s Face of Aesthetic Dentistry. Dr. Vick’s office, Forest Hill Dental, is a boutique, familyowned practice; his wife Lindsey Vick serves as the practice administrator.