HealthLines
Pretty Smile without Braces
Q. Dr. Garner, I’m 57 and I never had braces as a teenager because I came from a big family and there were just too many of us for mom and dad to afford it. My teeth are healthy, but unattractive to me. I have spaces on the top front teeth that make a “gapped” smile. On the bottom front teeth, I have some crooked teeth that are tilted. Overall, my teeth are a bit dark even after I’ve whitened them at my dentist’s office. He said I got medicine as a child that affected my tooth color. The enamel along the edges of my teeth has chipped and worn really thin as well. I just finished having an adult orthodontic evaluation and consultation from a respectable orthodontist here in my town. I was told that I’d need to have braces, and it would take about 20 months. I asked him about other options, like retainers, or the clear braces, but he said NO, I’d have to have the metal kind. I have read your articles for years and I was looking at your web site about Non-Orthodontic Cosmetic Options, and I want to come see you right away because like I told my husband, “I’m not going to be a metal-mouth at my age, and I am not waiting 2 years to have a pretty smile”. I believe that your beautiful Exquisite Porcelain Veneers are what I’d like to explore. From what I understand, not only can you make my teeth appear straight, but they will look white and healthy as well. The way the edges of my teeth are disintegrating and getting shorter, really alarms me. Can you explain what I do next? I’d like to have my new smile by Christmas if possible because we are doing family Christmas photos this year.
A. Thank you for contacting us. The first step is to pick up the phone and give us a call. We will schedule a no fee consultation for you right away. What you are describing is exactly what I’m best at. We see dozens of Baby Boomers who wish to have the smile they’ve never had all their life. Most of our veneer smile makeovers take just two visits of about 2 hours each spread about a week apart. It’s honestly a very easy and it yields super fast results. That’s why we call it “Instant Orthodontics”. Not only will your teeth appear straight but they will be restored to a youthful, healthy appearance, free from chipping and wear.
We look forward to visiting with you very soon. We can easily have you ready to go before Christmas if you call now.
Jeff Garner, DDS
“The Smile Doctor”
Featured on Entertainment Tonight and Dateline NBC General, Cosmetic and Aesthetic Reconstructive Dentistry WestLake 5
10809 Executive Center Dr, Suite 101
Little Rock, AR
(501) 227-0112
(800) 671-0767
www.smile-doc.net
5 Tips for Healthy Holidays
Q. My brother was just diagnosed with bladder cancer. They have caught it early, and he has a good prognosis. However, I was wondering if the condition is hereditary. Should I be looking for warning signs, and if so, what are they?
A. Bladder cancer is actually relatively common. It is the fourth most common cancer in men, but it is less common in women. The chance that a man will develop this cancer is about one in twenty-eight, which is about three to four more times likely than women. Researchers do not definitively know what causes bladder cancer, but the good news for you is that they widely believe that the risk for bladder cancer is not hereditary. However, genetics could play a role in other factors that affect your risk. What they have found is common risk factors such as exposure to tobacco smoke/products, and unsafe exposure to industrial chemicals/ cleaners. It’s more likely that bladder cancer could run in family due to environmental factors than actually being hereditary. Along with those factors, age and ethnicity also play a role. Bladder cancer risk increases with age, with the average age of diagnosis being 73. Caucasians are also more likely to develop bladder cancer than African Americans, Asians or Hispanics. Chronic bladder and UTIs can also increase the risk. As with any cancer diagnosis, the immediate reaction of fear and anxiety is understandable, but these feelings can often be eased with a little extra understanding about the type of cancer. Luckily, most bladder cancers are detected early on, before they become invasive, making treatment much more effective, which sounds like is the case with your brother. Bladder cancer is when the cells within the urinary bladder start to grow uncontrollably. The bladder itself is a hollow organ made up of several layers of different types of cells. Most bladder cancer begins as a mutation of the innermost cells, which is called non-invasive bladder cancer. The most common symptoms of early bladder cancer are blood in the urine, and sudden changes in bladder activity or feelings of irritation. If you notice symptoms like these, or if you feel that you have a higher risk to bladder cancer than average, you should see your doctor right away as early detection is key to effective treatment.
Dr. Keith Mooney, M.D Arkansas Urology
1300 Centerview Drive
Little Rock, AR 72211
Toll Free 800-255-1762
Local 501-219-8900
www.arkansasurology.com
Options for Unwanted Hair!
Q. I have been considering coming in to have some stubborn hair removed. What type of hair removal do you offer?
A. We offer two different options. Laser Hair Reduction We offer the Cutera CoolGlide for laser hair reduction (LHR). In our experience, the Cutera CoolGlide offers the most effective, comfortable and efficient treatment for our patients. Who can benefit from LHR? It’s true that people with darker hair respond better to LHR than people with gray or blond hair, but with the improved technology of the Cutera CoolGlide, which has a longer, more precise, and adjustable beam, patients with darker skin and/or lighter hair are no longer ruled out from treatment. Improved hair removal. It has a longer beam, which can penetrate more effectively to the hair roots to treat both coarse and finer body and facial hair.
Better results for each skin and hair type. The CoolGlide is highly adjustable, allowing us to dial in treatment for your skin type and hair thickness. More comfortable treatment. A buildin cooling system immediately cools the treated skin after each laser pulse, helping you stay comfortable and minimizing risk for skin irritation after treatment.
Because hair growth is cyclical, LHR requires several visits to obtain a satisfactory result. In a given area of the body, not all the hairs are at the same phase of growth at the same time. LHR will treat the active hair follicles, but not the inactive ones. Subsequent treatments will target the remaining hair follicles until (ideally) all follicles have been shut down. For most patients, this means 5 or 6 treatments are needed to ensure that all the hair in the treated area is gone. Depending on how dense and thick the hair growth is that is being targeted, you may need a few more treatment.
The amount of treatments will vary somewhat according to the area being treated. For the chin area, for example, it would be about four weeks. Waxing
Waxing is a fast, convenient and affordable way to remove unwanted hair and enjoy smooth, clean skin for weeks, making this option perfect before a big beach vacation, wedding, or just because!
Our licensed Aesthetician, Crystal Shaffer, has over 10 years of experience performing facial and body waxing treatments for men and women. Call us to schedule your appointment!
Dr. Rhys Branman Cosmetic Surgery Center
WestLake 5 - Searcy Building
10809 Executive Center Dr. Suite 100
Little Rock, AR 72211
(800) 877-7926 or (501) 227-0707
www.littlerockcosmeticsurgery.com
In Home Trial for Hearing Aids
Q. Does your office offer a free trial period before hearing aid purchase?
A. All Sound Advice Hearing aids are available through our “Try Before you Buy” program... wear for thirty days, if not totally delighted for whatever reason the hearing aids may be returned and you owe nothing. PLUS, there is no cost for evaluation or fitting, all you are at risk is your time and gasoline in coming to our office. Did you know that thousands of people across Arkansas now have hearing aid coverage through various insurance plans? In recent years
Arkansas State Employees, Federal Employees, Retired Teachers, City of Little Rock and many other groups, private and public, provide hearing aid benefits at substantial savings. In most cases we are able to offer effective solutions with little or no outof-pocket expense. If you are unsure about hearing aid benefits call your insurance company at the customer service telephone number listed on your identification card... OR, if you come to see us we will be glad to assist you in helping determine your benefits. Even if you have no insurance benefits, we are usually able to find an affordable solution for our patients. We offer a wide range of digital hearing devices from basic budget priced models to leading-edge designs .... Plus, we offer a variety of easy payment options including up to 18 months at 0% interest. Try Before you Buy, no money down...What could be better than that? Discover our Sound Advice Advantage. Find out what thousands of Arkansans already know about expert hearing care. What could be better than that? Discover the SAHD advantage. Find out what thousands of Arkansans already know about quality hearing care. CALL TODAY! . You’ll be glad you did! We’re ready to help Serving all Arkansas since 1986
James V. Rippy, Au.D. Gina G. Ashabranner, Au.D. Doctors of Audiology
Sound Advice Hearing Doctors
Affiliated Audiology Centers, Inc.
WEST LITTLE ROCK
10310 West Markham, #207
Tel. 501-222-1281
NORTH METRO
501 W. Main Street – Jacksonville
Tel. 501-214-0142
www.soundadvicehearing.com
www.AACHearingDoctors.com
Hypnosis Will Change Your Life, Whether It Be Weight Loss, Stop Smoking Or Some Other Issue. Hypnosis Is The Answer Q. What is Hypnosis and how does it work?
A.
Even in the educated world of today, the word hypnosis still brings forth feelings of fear and apprehension to many people. They still think a hypnotist can control them or make them tell their innermost personal secrets. Others believe that when they’re in the hypnotic state, they’re unconscious and not aware of what’s happening around them. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth. Generally speaking these misconceptions are based on Hollywood films or what other people who are ignorant concerning the hypnotic process have told them. When an individual is in the hypnotic state, physically they are deeply relaxed but mentally they’re hundreds of times more alert than when in their normal state of awareness. Their ability to hear what’s going on around them is greatly improved. They’re aware of everything and are active participants in the hypnotic process. It’s impossible to force a suggestion on anybody that they don’t want to have or that they may feel uncomfortable with. Such a suggestion would be instantly rejected and would have no affect on them. Clients are always in control. No suggestion can enter the subconscious mind without them actively supporting and helping to get that suggestion there.
If the suggestion is wanted and beneficial, it is allowed to enter the subconscious mind. Now, the subconscious mind is similar to a computer and must respond to the information placed into it.
All of us are what our subconscious minds perceive just to be. This deep part of us develops its perceptions of who we are based on our everyday experiences in life. If our subconscious mind perceives us to be fat, we become fat. If it perceives us to be a smoker, we smoke. And so on with many other issues and challenges in all areas of our lives. The suggestions received while in hypnosis, if accepted by the individual, will change the subconscious perception of the particular issue being addressed. For example, when an overweight person’s perception at the subconscious level is changed to one of being slim, and trim, that’s the way the person becomes. . .automatically!! If a smoker’s perception at the subconscious level is changed to one of being a non-smoker, he becomes a non-smoker...instantly! The secret to success with hypnosis is simply this; the client must honestly want the change to occur. If the client is being pressured by family members, doctors or others and doesn’t honestly want the change for themselves, they will reject the suggestions and change will not happen. I am merely a guide for the client. If a client wants and accepts my guidance, we then work together as a team to achieve the subconscious perception change necessary for your goal to become a reality. Hypnotism not only works well to stop smoking and to lose weight, but is extremely effective in eliminating phobias, memory and concentration, insomnia, motivation, stress reduction, sales improvement, test anxiety, sports improvement, pain management and just about any issue or challenge you may have in your daily life. Even the American Medical Association has approved hypnosis as a very valuable tool. So now that you’re ready to make the changes you’ve put off for so long, call my office and lets work together to get you back on track. Become a Non Smoker or a Non Dipper.
VOTED THE BEST HYPNOTHERAPIST IN CENTRAL ARKANSAS BY THE READERS OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE 12 YEARS IN A ROW
Penny Rea, BC, CI, PMI Penny Rea Hypnosis Clinic
Seen on NBC, ABC, FOX as well as Daybreak
Board Certified
21 years experience
523 S. Louisiana, St. #414
Little Rock, AR 72201
1-501-992-9060 facebook.com/pennyreahypnosisclinic www.pennyreahypnosisclinic.com