At Touro Dental Health NY, our oral and maxillofacial surgeons provide expert care for a wide range of issues. From routine tooth extractions to impacted and extra teeth, to jaw reconstruction with and without dental implants, to pathological conditions, to corrective jaw surgery and facial trauma treatment, we can address any condition for our patients. Our team of surgeons oversee all surgical care – carefully supervising dental students and residents and directly performing procedures beyond the scope of the students and residents. Our team is equipped with the advanced technologies needed to give you precise and effective surgical solutions.
What is Oral and Maxillofacial (OMF) Surgery?
Oral and maxillofacial surgery treats complex conditions of the face, mouth, and jaw, this includes your teeth, gums, and all bone structures of the mouth and face. Routine surgeries include impacted wisdom teeth and surgical placement of titanium posts to support dental implants. More complex surgeries include reconstruction from trauma or disease, TMJ treatments, removal of cysts and tumors, and cleft lip and palate surgery.
What Conditions are Treated with Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery?
Oral and maxillofacial surgery covers a wide range of different procedures. Here are some of the conditions our oral surgeons treat:
- Teeth extraction: This is the most common surgery we perform. We extract erupted, impacted or decaying teeth. When necessary, we extract extra teeth that some patients may develop.
- Wisdom tooth removal: Some of the most common extractions are of wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth typically come in between the ages of 17 and 25, though they can require treatment much earlier or later than that. If the wisdom teeth are painful, impacted (i.e. cannot grow in), or if they cause other oral health issues like crowding or gum disease, you may need surgery to remove the wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth that do not bother you can still be problematic. Make sure you see a dentist regularly so they can alert you to any issues.
- Treatment for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders: If our oral pain specialist can’t resolve TMJ with non-surgical treatment, our team at Westchester Medical Center can provide surgical treatment.
- Oral cancer and pathology - Our oral pathologist or surgeons can perform a biopsy on the tongue, cheeks, or anywhere in the mouth including the bones of the jaws in order to assess diseased tissue. Our team can then perform any necessary medical or surgical treatments to treat the conditions that were diagnosed.
- Reconstructive surgery post-injury or disease: Whether a patient’s jaw has been affected by a tumor or a traumatic injury, we can rebuild their jaw with bone and soft tissue. We can also add implants to replace lost or damaged teeth.
- Treating facial deformities: We address congenital or facial deformities, such as cleft lip and cleft palate, or misaligned upper and lower jaw bones. Some facial deformities require orthodontic work as well and our oral surgeons collaborate with our orthodontists as needed.
Our oral surgeons also perform dental implant surgery. Visit our Implant Dentistry page for more info on our implant services.
We do full-scope oral and maxillofacial surgery, which means there’s essentially nothing our team can’t address. Although we don’t offer cosmetic plastic surgery at Touro Dental, we can refer you right next door to our team at Westchester Medical Center.
How Do I Get an Oral Surgery Appointment?
If it’s an emergency and you’re in pain, oftentimes we can see you right away. Usually, patients first receive a comprehensive exam on their first appointment. If there’s any urgent concerns we do our best to make sure it is taken care of that same day. Sometimes, depending on how many patients we have that day, you’ll be scheduled for a consultation with the oral surgeon at a later date.
If the oral surgeon just needs to take care of a simple procedure, such as an erupted tooth, this can often be addressed without a consultation.
When is Oral Surgery Necessary?
Sometimes, oral surgery is necessary to remove diseased tissue or treat a dangerous infection. Procedures like wisdom teeth extraction can also be a preventative measure to avoid complications or pain in the future.
For other conditions, surgery can greatly improve your jaw or teeth function, comfort, or physical appearance. For instance, orthognathic surgery helps correct a misaligned jaw, which can be done for functional or cosmetic reasons.
What is the Recovery Time for Oral Surgery?
The recovery time for oral surgery varies widely depending on the procedure performed. For our most common surgeries, recovery time is generally quick.
If you’re getting a routine extraction, there’s usually no swelling involved and you’ll recover within the next day or two. You can use over-the-counter painkillers for minor pain management.
If you’re getting impacted wisdom teeth removed, the recovery process is a little more involved. Some patients may experience a lot of swelling, but swelling generally goes away in only 2-3 days.
For more complex surgeries, such as reconstructive surgery or jaw surgery, recovery time will vary widely. You’ll have a chance to discuss the estimated recovery time with one of our oral surgeons based on your unique situation.
Meet Our Clinical Director of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Eric Wachs, D.M.D.
Since 2016, Dr. Eric Wachs has served as Associate Professor and Clinical Director of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Touro College of Dental Medicine. Dr. Wachs has been involved in the education and training of General Dental and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residents throughout his career. He has extensive private practice experience. He has been a Westchester Magazine Top Dentist in oral and maxillofacial surgery since 2009.
What Specialists Are Involved in Oral Surgery?
At Touro, all of our specialists work side by side in the same building. This means we have an exceptional level of collaboration to provide top-notch care. We have 3 to 6 surgeons (including periodontists) at our dental practice on any given day. Our full team of specialists involved with oral surgery includes:
- 3 Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
- 8 Periodontists
- 1 Oral Pathologist
- 2 Anesthesiologists
Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
At Touro Dental Health, our Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology services provide expert care for patients with a variety of conditions. This includes oral infections, pathology of soft tissue in the mouth or jaw, lesions, cysts, and tumors. Our services include clinical evaluation, biopsies, and the management of complex oral diseases.
During your initial consultation at Touro, we’ll conduct a comprehensive oral and head and neck exam. Because all of our specialists work under the same roof, we can act fast if we notice something concerning. Multiple specialists will be able to assess your oral health and determine if you’ll need a consultation with our oral pathologist.
Our oral pathologist works in close conjunction with our oral and maxillofacial surgeons and radiologists. Sometimes our endodontists or periodontists also consult with our oral pathologist if they need insight on an unusual oral lesion or condition.
Our Radiology Department
Our radiology department can assess the most complex radiographs (commonly called x-rays), and consult with our other practitioners to provide the most accurate oral health assessment. Having expert, board-certified oral and maxillofacial radiologists on staff allows us to make the most precise diagnoses and deliver the highest quality care. In some dental practices you would need to be referred out for complex radiographs or diagnosis. At Touro we’re all here working together.
