Invisalign Dentist Dr. Lena Sapozhnikoff
The Passionate Pursuit of Her Practice
Obsession: Few have it, and of those that do, even fewer use it in an impactful, meaningful way. We all have gifts untouched, unacknowledged — hidden in the deepest crevices of our soul, silently blazing in our heart. Steve Jobs, the famous inventor once said “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking.”
This may seem trite, yet it holds true in many ways. The truth is, no matter what pursuit or profession you engage in, it is your duty, and yours alone, to back it with an intense passion and fierce conviction.
As impassioned Manhattan dentist Dr. Lena Sapozhnikoff explains, “When I decided to embark on the journey of becoming a dentist, I made sure that I went all in on this passage. I was determined to use my mind for the good of all whom I serve.
Lena. Doctor Lena.
Dr. Lena is an intriguing woman. Some may mistake her for a female James Bond: clever, agile, and extremely intelligent — though chasing down villains is just not her thing. Her profession of choice is one heavily involving art, science, design, and reconstruction.
“I like to emphasize the science aspect of what I do,” she says. “While beauty and artistry are heavily desired, to me everything has to make sense. It has to feel right.”
Dr. Lena’s way of practice is holistic in nature. She is adamant about treating the whole of a person, not just their parts: “I treat people. Not just teeth. There are so many factors that contribute to optimal oral health — lifestyle, diet, medical history, overall physical and emotional health. If I am not taking all these things into account, then I am not doing my job.”
A strong, decisive leader, Dr. Lena’s first priority is always her patients. “One of the greatest gifts dentistry has given me is the gift of human interaction,” she says. “Connection is very important to me. Before I was a dentist, I was a dental lab technician. Although I loved working in the lab, the one thing that was glaringly absent was the ability to connect with others. Now, I can work with my hands as well as have the opportunity to build relationships with the people I’m treating.”
A Mindful Dedication to Wellness
You will find that, for Dr. Lena, talk isn’t cheap. She vehemently practices what she preaches. With over 10 years of experience as a Yoga practitioner, Dr. Lena is mindful of her health as well as what she brings to her clients. In addition, she explains that she is dedicated to nutrition: “I love good food and I love to cook. I am very intentional with what I make at home. Not only is it important that my food is flavorful and delicious, but it has to be beneficial for my body.”
Invisalign Dentist, True New Yorker
Running her Manhattan dental practice and living with her husband Matthew in Brooklyn, Dr. Lena is a true New Yorker. She embraces the high-vibe energy, the food scene, and the ever-present diversity all around.
She moved to NYC from Ukraine in ’91 and was introduced to an energy unlike any other. “I love this city,” she shares. “I love the different cultures, all the languages. Coming from such a different place, I felt like I was malnourished of all the beautiful culture present in the world. The great thing about New York City is that you can find it all in one place.”
When she is not at home enjoying the city, doing yoga or creating an amazing meal, you may find her on the beach, lounging in her flip flops reading a good book.
Treating the Whole Person
Dr. Lena doesn’t play small when it comes to providing holistic, comprehensive dentistry. She has brazenly dedicated years of time taking advanced continuing education courses on Airway Wellness, Implant Therapy, Cosmetic, and Rehabilitative Care.
“I am against the current approach to dentistry, which is a symptomatic one,” she says. “I like to get to the root cause of a problem and go from there. Better yet, it is more beneficial to cease a problem before it even exists. For instance, there are many dental issues that can be tied back to sleep disordered breathing. This type of integrative approach of looking at the whole person not only improves my patients oral health, but also their overall life experience.”
For this reason, it is very important to Dr. Lena that she continues to boost her knowledge so she is available to remain on the cutting edge of dentistry. “My goal is to have lifetime patients. I want my patients to know they can have the best care out there and not settle for less. It’s a great feeling to know you are getting the highest quality care that you can then maintain and enjoy for the rest of your life.”
Dr. Lena is proud to treat people from many walks of life. “I have found that, like most people, my patients desire to feel connected and valued. Whoever they may be, I want them to know they are deserving of whatever they desire. I have been lucky enough to witness my patients undergo monumental changes, whether through a new smile that better represents them or through improved quality of health. All my patients have zero regrets and wish they had taken steps toward betterment sooner.”
Living Her Dream
Moving to NYC at a young age, Dr. Lena feels assured that the life she is leading is the one she was always meant to live. Looking back at her journey and life choices, she appreciates all the hard work and dedication required to pursue her dreams.
“I think the greatest gift we have as human beings is to dream. There is no dream that isn’t worth fighting for. I hope that through my craft, I am able to to allow my patients to embark on a passionate journey of their own, to also live the life of their dreams.”
After all, as Eleanor Roosevelt once said “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
