AboutZev Kaufman, D.D.S. Expertise I can answer any question from simple routine dentistry to very complex dentistry with emphasis on reconstructive, cosmetic, and implant dentistry. My expertise is in co-ordination of very complex treatment plans with other dental specialists or as a one-man-team, since I have extensive training in Prosthodontics, Surgical Implantology, and orthodontics.
Experience Over a decade in private practice of Surgical Implantology and Prosthodontics. Founder and owner of Prosthodontics & Implant Surgery of Manhattan, PC.
Clinical Assistant Professor at the Post-Graduate Department of Periodontics & Implant Dentistry at New York University College of Dentistry.
Lecture weekly since 1999 on advanced Implant Prosthodontics at New York University College of Dentistry Post-Graduate Program in Periodontics & Implant Dentistry.
Former clinical assistant professor of Dental Radiology at the NYU College of Dentistry.
Former clinical and lecture faculty at Lincoln Hospital, Dental residency program.
Former clinical and lecture faculty at St. Barnabas Hospital (Bronx, NY) dental residency program.
Lecture nationally on Prosthodontics and Implant Dentistry.
Organizations Memeber of the American College of Prosthodontics.
Memeber of the Acacdemy of Osseointegration.
Member or the Omikron Kappa Upsilon (OKU) Honors Dental Society.
Member of the American Dental Education Association.
Education/Credentials Graduated with Honors from New York University College of Dentistry.
Post-Graduate training and certificate in the specialty of Prosthodontics.
Post-Graduate training and ceritificate in Surgical and Prosthetic Implant Dentistry.
Honors-program in Comprehensive and Applied Practice Management.
Honors-program in Orthodontics.
Awards and Honors NYU Cervice award to the community.
OKU honor society.
National Dean's List.
National Who's Who.
Question I am 30 years old and my wisdom teeth are impacted. They ate not bothering
me in any way. I did see an oral surgeon a while back and he said that
removal would be very difficult and if they were not causing me any pain that
I should not get them pulled. Latley I have noticed over the last few months
that both my top and bottom teeth are shifting slightly (I have had any
orthodontic treatment in my life). Is there anything I can do to prevent my
teeth from further shifting without extracting my wisdom teeth? I would prefer
not to extract them due to the complexity of the surgury.
Answer Dear Todd:
All the research done years ago has shown that wisdom teeth do not cause shifting of teeth. However, many dentists and people in general perpetuate the belief the they do.
The reason that your lower teeth are crowding is because as we get older, our jaws keep growing slowly. The lower jaw grows at the condyles (the TMJ area). The lower front teeth end up pushing against the upper ones and since there is no place for them to move forward, they crowd and rotate. The movement is call "the auto-rotation of the mandible".
If you want to do something about the crowding, I would suggest to consult with an orthodontist. The orthodontist can place an orthodontic appliance (braces, removable aligners, etc.), trim the sides of the lower teeth and align them properly. As they shift, the teeth are trimmed on the sides very slightly, enough to bring them back into proper alignment. I have had several patients who had this done with my orthodontic colleagues with excellent success.
www.braces.org will have a link to locating an orthodontist near you.
Best of luck,
Dr. Zev Kaufman
