The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Oral Surgery

Insights from an Oral Surgeon: A Parent’s Guide to Preparing for Wisdom Teeth Removal

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As parents, we are always thinking ahead. From school schedules to extracurricular activities, planning plays a key role in supporting our children’s well-being. One important milestone that often gets overlooked is the evaluation and potential removal of wisdom teeth. Taking a proactive approach can make a meaningful difference in both the experience and the outcome.

Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, typically develop between the ages of 16 and 25. In many cases, there is not enough space in the jaw to accommodate them properly. This can lead to impaction, crowding, infection, and damage to neighboring teeth. What makes this more challenging is that these issues do not always present with obvious symptoms. Problems can develop quietly, which is why early evaluation is so important.

When wisdom teeth are assessed early, we can identify potential concerns before they become more complex. In many cases, removing wisdom teeth during the late teenage years allows for a smoother procedure and a more predictable recovery. The roots are often not fully developed, which reduces surgical difficulty and lowers the risk of complications. Patients also tend to heal more quickly at this age, making the overall experience easier for both the child and the family.

Summer is an ideal time to plan for this procedure. With school out of session and schedules more flexible, families have the opportunity to approach surgery without the added pressure of academic responsibilities. This allows for proper rest and recovery without interruption. For students preparing to leave for college, summer timing is especially beneficial, ensuring they are fully healed before starting a new chapter.

Preparation is an important part of the process. Scheduling a consultation early allows time to discuss the procedure, review imaging, and answer any questions. It is also helpful to talk with your child about what to expect. Understanding the process can ease anxiety and help them feel more comfortable. Planning ahead for recovery, including time at home and a supply of soft foods, helps set expectations and creates a smoother experience.

On the day of surgery, the procedure is typically completed in less than an hour. Patients are cared for in a controlled and comfortable environment, with anesthesia options tailored to their needs. Our team provides clear post-operative instructions and remains available to support patients throughout the healing process.

Taking a forward-looking approach to wisdom teeth removal helps prevent unnecessary complications and supports long-term oral health. By planning ahead and utilizing the summer months, families can ensure a more relaxed and successful experience.

If your child is approaching the age for a wisdom teeth evaluation, now is the right time to take the next step.

A Day in the Life of an Oral Surgeon

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My day usually starts around 7:00 a.m. I get ready, answer a few emails, and head out the door. I’m not much of a breakfast person–I tend to do a light morning fast and save eating for later in the day.

On the drive into the office, I listen to music. It helps me shift gears, clear my head, and get into the right mindset for the day. Most mornings it’s the Grateful Dead, though I’ll mix in some country now and then. It’s a simple routine, but it helps me stay relaxed and focused before the work begins.

When I arrive at NYOMIS, the team is already preparing for the day’s patients. Before we begin seeing anyone, we come together to review the schedule and map out the day ahead. We look closely at each case–especially larger procedures or implant cases–and make sure we’re fully prepared. We double and triple check materials, equipment, and timing so there are no surprises.

Preparation sets the tone for everything that follows. When we’re calm and organized, it creates a better environment for both the team and our patients. Being prepared minimizes stress and allows us to deliver the best care possible.

On a typical day, I perform a range of procedures, most commonly wisdom teeth extractions and dental implant cases. These can range from straightforward single implants to more complex full-mouth procedures.

Patient anxiety is something we take very seriously. Oral surgery can be intimidating, and I think much of that fear comes from the word “surgery” itself. I often prefer to use the term “procedure,” which helps reframe expectations and ease anxiety. We take time to listen, answer questions, and reassure patients that they are in good hands. From compassion and clear communication to sedation options like nitrous oxide or IV sedation, everything we do is centered around patient comfort and trust.

The most rewarding part of my work is seeing the impact it has on people’s lives. Helping someone feel better, improve their quality of life, or regain confidence in their smile is incredibly meaningful. I recently treated a patient who had struggled for years with her smile and underwent a full-arch dental implant procedure. Seeing her reaction afterward was a powerful reminder of why I love what I do.

In surgery, the moment I feel most in my element is when everything comes together–the planning, the precision, and the final result. That’s when you know the work has paid off.

At the end of the day, our team comes together again to review cases, look ahead to the next day, and make sure we’re fully prepared. When I get home, I unwind by spending time with my son, having dinner, and catching any Michigan or Detroit sporting event on TV, if one’s on.

A good day, to me, is simple: knowing I helped make a positive impact on someone’s life and being grateful for the opportunity to do so.

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

Leading Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Practice to Open New Office in Mount Kisco

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After years of providing state-of-the-art care to patients in Southern Westchester, the long-established oral surgery practice; New York, Oral, Maxillofacial and Implant Surgery (NYOMIS) is proud to announce the opening of their second location in Mount Kisco, New York.

Dr. Andrew Horowitz brings years of clinical expertise and surgical precision to the residents of Northern Westchester.  Originally from Michigan, his postgraduate education began in dentistry at the University of Pennsylvania and led to a medical degree from The Mount Sinai School of Medicine.  While at Mount Sinai, Dr. Horowitz also completed a General Surgery Internship, an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency, and was appointed Chief Resident. 

Dr. Horowitz provides the full scope of the specialty with major emphases on complex dental implant cases, major bone grafting, wisdom teeth removal, and facial and jaw trauma. He is an expert in immediate implant placement, “The All-on-4 Technique”, and “Teeth in a Day”.

“With current advances in technology, we have the ability to restore a full mouth in one day with dental implants, and teeth fashioned on top of them right there and then” says Dr. Horowitz. “There is nothing better than seeing someone’s smile when they first look in the mirror after restorative treatment.  This is a truly life changing moment for our patients and I’m so proud to be a part of it”.

The office is located in Mount Kisco, New York, with easy access to I-684 and the Saw Mill Parkway; conveniently located across the street from CareMount Medical Mount Kisco offices.  Dr. Horowitz will be seeing patients Monday through Friday.

For more information about NYOMIS and Dr. Horowitz or to make an appointment, visit www.NYOMIS.com or call 914-689-7550.