The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Oral Surgeon

Conventional Wisdom About Your Teeth

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All You Need to Know (and More) About Wisdom Teeth Removal

As parents, guiding our children through significant milestones in their journey towards optimal oral health is paramount. One such milestone often encountered during the transition to adulthood is wisdom teeth removal. While this procedure is commonly perceived as routine, its implications should not be underestimated. Delaying or disregarding the decision to remove wisdom teeth can have considerable consequences for oral health. As an oral surgeon, I have witnessed firsthand the impact of postponing or neglecting this essential procedure on patients’ oral health. In this guide, I aim to provide parents with valuable insights and answers to frequently asked questions regarding wisdom teeth removal, empowering you to make informed decisions for your child’s dental health.

Understanding Wisdom Teeth: Wisdom teeth, the last to emerge, typically surface between the late teens and early twenties. Despite their association with wisdom, these molars can bring about significant oral health challenges.

Necessity of Removal: While many wait for symptoms to arise before considering removal, proactive extraction can prevent potential complications such as pain, infection, cysts, and damage to adjacent teeth or orthodontic work. Early removal ensures optimal oral health and reduces long-term risks.

Timing is Key: The recommended age range for removal is between 15 and 25 when roots are not fully developed, leading to a smoother procedure and quicker recovery. Summer or holiday breaks offer convenient timing, minimizing disruption to daily routines.

Surgical Procedure: On the day of surgery, our team is dedicated to ensuring a seamless and straightforward experience for our patients, prioritizing both their comfort and safety. To begin, a member of our proficient team will escort you to a designated room, where we will carefully review anesthesia options to optimize your comfort during the procedure, which typically spans 20 to 60 minutes. Utilizing innovative techniques and advancements, patients experience rapid healing and minimal post-operative discomfort, typically lasting three to five days.

Pain Management: With skilled professionals, the procedure is quick and virtually painless. Post-operation soreness is managed through tailored pain control methods and prescriptions, ensuring comfort during recovery.

Ready For Removal? If your child is nearing the age for wisdom teeth evaluation or experiencing oral health issues, our team is here to help. Reach out today to schedule an appointment and ensure your child’s oral health journey is smooth and successful.

Now in Mount Kisco: Oral Surgery with a Side of TLC

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Andrew Horowitz, DMD, MD, FACS, has put down new roots in Northern Westchester. As a partner in private practice at the well-established New York Oral, Maxillofacial, and Implant Surgery (NYOMIS) in Scarsdale, he recently announced the opening of a second location in Mount Kisco, New York.

It’s a formidable time in his career. “It feels great to have 15 years of experience under my belt,” says Dr. Horowitz. To complement his procedural experience, Dr. Horowitz is accomplished in using the newest technology available. “Advances in dental technology have made a profound impact on oral surgery,” he says. “Oral surgeons can now offer patients exacting, comprehensive treatment in less time with improved results.”

Education + Training

Dr. Horowitz hails from West Bloomfield, Michigan. In his youth, he wasn’t absolutely sure of his career path, but his father was a positive influence. “My dad was a periodontist, so I’ve been around the dental field my entire life.” Dr. Horowitz earned a bachelor of science degree from the University of Michigan. And yes, he still gets home to catch the occasional football game!

He then headed east to attend the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia to earn his doctorate of dental medicine (DMD). To enhance his education, he earned a medical degree (MD) from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine combined MD/Oral and Maxillofacial Residency program in New York City. While at Mount Sinai, he completed a general surgery internship, a residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery, and served as chief resident.

Oral surgeons are specialists who focus on tooth extraction, wisdom tooth removal, and implants. Oral maxillofacial surgeons are additionally trained in operations to correct injuries and defects of the face, jaw, or mouth. This could include health conditions such as jaw misalignment, tumors or cysts, facial injury, and cleft palate. As an oral maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Horowitz treats the entire scope of dental surgical needs.

Advances in Technology

All dentistry has experienced a growth in technology. Many dentists are now using 3D X-ray machines to diagnose, and 3D printers to create dental crowns.

Oral surgeons are using new technology to assist with dental implants. Advances in technology have contributed to making implant procedures easier and more accurate. One such technology is the cone beam CT scanner. This technology allows the surgeon to take a scan of the jaw structure, which provides information on how to best install the implants. High-tech placement methods mean more people are candidates for prosthetic teeth.

Dr. Horowitz has extensive experience in immediate implant placement procedures called “All-on-4 Technique” and “Teeth in a Day”. These advances help patients avoid what was once a lengthy and costly process that included bone grafting and many appointments.

While Dr. Horowitz says these techniques involve a long day of treatment, patients are only sore for only a few days and the process is much easier for the patient. “We are also well versed in sedation techniques that put the patient at ease and reduce any anxiety that may be present,” says Dr. Horowitz.

Local Life

Like many transplanted New Yorkers, Dr. Horowitz felt the pull to wider pastures. Since he was working in Scarsdale, Westchester County caught his attention. “It was time for a little more space, a bit of land and some trees,” he says. “A good community and a fine school system were are also on the want list.” He settled in Chappaqua 15 years ago and is raising his two children there.

“We are a ski family,” says Dr. Horowitz. And when he’s not on the slopes, you can find Dr. Horowitz attending his children’s school activities, or cooking something delicious.

Designed with peaceful natural tones, his offices exude the same sense of ease he found in Westchester’s natural landscape. “The NYMOIS offices have a serene environment,” he says. He values having time to spend with each patient. “I enjoy providing specific individualized attention and every bit of TLC I offer has a positive impact on my patients.”

New York Oral, Maxillofacial, and Implant Surgery
Scarsdale, Mount Kisco
www.NYOMIS.com
914-689-7550