Meet exceptional providers of local care.
Sierra Smiles
The team at Sierra Smiles Complete Health Dentistry provides care to adults and children in the Reno-Tahoe area. The skilled dental professionals led by Dr. John Bocchi employ the best technology, latest techniques, and treatments to care for patients in a less-invasive way.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, half of American adults over the age of 30 have chronic periodontitis (gum disease), and tens of millions more adults have gingivitis. By the time we reach age 65, 70 percent of us have chronic gum disease. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss and places a chronic burden on our immune systems because the mouth is the gateway to the rest of the body. Often, harmful bacteria lurk in plaque buildup. That same bacteria can become bloodborne and travel through the arteries, increasing your risk of heart disease, diabetes, preterm labor, delivering a baby with low birth weight, Alzheimer’s disease, and other health complications.
Studies by Harvard University researchers found people with gum disease have two to three times the risk of having heart attacks, strokes, or other serious cardiovascular events. Diabetic patients with gum disease have reported higher blood-sugar levels than diabetic patients with healthier gums. Further studies have indicated that patients who have undergone gum disease treatments needed less costly care to manage their diabetes.
“The traditional ways of treating periodontal disease were very basic and limited to scaling and root planning procedures, and oftentimes surgery,” Bocchi says. “Our goal is to prevent disease before it starts; however, when treatment is necessary, we treat our patients with less-invasive therapies, including the use of lasers and Perio Protect Trays, in order to prevent surgery or loss of teeth.”
Perio Protect Trays are custom-made, form-fitting trays that gently deliver hydrogen peroxide gel deep below the gum line to attack the bacteria that cause bleeding and periodontal disease, which can contribute to systemic inflammation in your body. The trays are easy to use at home, for just 10 to 15 minutes, during a shower or while watching TV. And they’re a game changer for a healthy mouth and healthy body, as well as fresher breath and whiter teeth.
“We’ve invested in additional measures to treat periodontal disease such as Perio Protect and dental lasers, along with scaling and root planning, to get significantly better results than scaling and root planning alone,” Dr. Bocchi adds. “Our patients benefit from more non-invasive measures to treat periodontal disease, prevent surgery, and maintain the results you get from the treatment.”
To better avoid periodontal disease, you should follow experts’ advice and schedule your dental wellness visits at least twice per year, maintain proper home care, and get screened for sleep and airway issues. To book an appointment, visit Sierrasmiles.com.
Advanced ENT Sinus Center
March and April are prime time for early seasonal allergies, with area grasses, trees, and sagebrush beginning to fill the Sierra air with pollen and dander. Stacey Hudson, MD, FACS, and Theresa Birchfield, PA-C, of Advanced ENT Sinus Center in Reno specialize in treating ear, nose, and throat ailments, as well as seasonal allergies.
“We can help with the nasal congestion, running nose, itchy eyes, head pain, pressure, Eustachian tube dysfunction, and other symptoms associated with seasonal allergies,” Birchfield explains.
To get started, Hudson or Birchfield will take an inventory of your symptoms and design a customized treatment plan.
“If the symptoms warrant it, we have the ability to perform a CT scan in our office and can differentiate between seasonal allergies, non-allergic nose problems, or chronic sinusitis,” she says.
Patients with seasonal allergies are typically treated with a mix of over-the-counter and prescription medications and nasal sprays.
For details about relieving chronic sinus issues, seasonal allergy symptoms, or other treatments for ear, nose, and throat conditions, visit Myrenoent.com.
Thrive Infusion
“Poor gut health can lead to malabsorption of nutrients and, in turn, malnutrition, which can eventually compromise us in a variety of ways, most importantly our immunity,” says Crosbie Ronning, RN at Thrive Infusion in Reno. “IV therapy is a fast, direct way to supplement the body and get ahead of these deficiencies.”
Compromised gut health, unfortunately, affects us all. With pesticide use, growth enhancers, and antibiotics routinely given to animals and plants that are raised to feed the masses, it’s no wonder our digestive systems ultimately suffer.
Serving a variety of patients, Thrive Infusion will help you learn how you can benefit from an individualized treatment plan. For details, visit Thriveinfusion.life.
Coolsculpting by Marci
Spring into summer with the body of your dreams. This time of year still means layers, bulky sweaters, and raincoats. It’s the ideal time for a body-contouring procedure. CoolSculpting requires little to no downtime, and results will be apparent eight to 10 weeks after your treatment sessions.
“The nice thing about having CoolSculpting treatments now is that it allows you to embrace your final results prior to bathing suit season,” explains Marci Eekhoff, owner of CoolSculpting by Marci in Reno.
At CoolSculpting by Marci, your treatment is completely customizable, and the staff will work with you to create a plan that’s quite literally made for you. For details, visit Bodysculptingbymarci.com.
