Westchester Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery & Implantology

Westchester Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery & Implantology

2975 Westchester Avenue, Suite G02, Purchase, NY 10577

• www.oralsurgeryofwestchester.com

Why Wait for Personal Growth? THE STARTING LINE

“What are your New Year’s resolutions?”

Who among us hasn’t heard this question a dozen times in the last fewweeks? Every January, we’re told we need to find something in our lives we need to improve. But, if there is something worth improving, why haven’t we been taking steps to better ourselves before Jan. 1?

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I used to make New Year’s resolutions. Like so many other people, I would make a resolution to exercise more, eat healthier, or spend more quality time with my family. However, over time, I began to shy away from using the new year as an artificial starting date for change. While I do tend to promise myself I will eat healthier after the holiday season, for the

IF YOU FEEL SOMETHING IN YOUR LIFE IS IN NEED OF IMPROVEMENT, THERE’S NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT TO TAKE ACTION.

for myself, I assess whether it’s realistic to improve that facet of my life. Then, I create a plan of action that gives me the best possible chance to get there, including a time frame for myself. This strategy is called “SMART” goalkeeping, and it has proven successful. A study conducted by Dr. Gail Matthews, psychology professor at Dominican University in California, confirmed the importance of striving for attainable goals. Her research examined the “SMART” practice of goalkeeping, in which a person identifies the Specific who, what, when, and where of their Measurable goal, ensuring the goal is Attainable and Realistic to achieve within a specific Time frame. Dr. Matthews found 76 percent of participants who practiced SMART goalkeeping achieved their goal. This was a 33 percent higher rate of achievement than participants who did not follow this method of goalkeeping. There are many avenues to personal growth, and setting realistic goals is a great way to set yourself up for success. When you have your goal, the most important thing is to act now. If you believe something is worth changing, there is no reason to wait a single day.

most part, I don’t want to wait to get started on personal growth. If you feel something in your life is in need of improvement, there’s no time like the present to take action. One of the greatest professional goals I’ve ever achieved was getting into dental school and residency. Learning my trade and using those skills to help people on a daily basis in our practice continues to give be a deep source of daily pride. However, though I have achieved this goal, it does not mark the end of my personal improvements. I believe one should always aspire to do more and better. Can we be better family members or friends? Can we better serve our community? Can we become more knowledgeable or experienced people and share that wisdom with others? When we identify something we want to change, the challenge comes lies in creating a plan to achieve that change. If I’m creating a goal

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Westchester Office • 914-251-0313

Why You Need to Keep Up With Trends, Not Fads

1. Is this emerging need likely to grow and to sustain itself over time? 2. Is the emerging need based mostly on novelty? 3. Is the need based on political, economic, societal, or technological changes? 4. Will what’s happening shift behaviors or create new needs, new markets, or new customer segments? It can be really tempting to jump onboard with fads, but you don’t want to build your business on something that isn’t sustainable. Look for trends that lead to new markets and learn how you can fill those needs in the long term.

Do you remember fidget spinners? Those small, pinwheel-like toys claimed to improve focus by channeling users’ excess energy. Last summer, fidget spinners were a worldwide craze. In May of 2017, fidget spinners appeared in every single slot of Amazon’s top 20 best-seller list for toys. Then, just as quickly as they appeared, their popularity vanished. By October, an eBay listing sported 50,000 premium metal fidget spinners for a total price of $2,500. At one point, those fidget spinners would have sold for at least $15 each. Now, the eBay seller was willing to take a measly 5 cents per spinner just to get rid of them.

More often than not, companies that try to ride the success of a fad end up taking a big loss. They’re left with overstock they can’t get rid of. Trends, however, change the marketplace by shifting the way consumers buy, and over time, they can alter the products and services customers demand. In 2017, livestreaming on social media rocketed into popularity. For years, consumers have sought to participate with the brands and businesses they support. As video content gained steam, livestreaming became the ultimate way to allow genuine real-time engagement. Major brands like Disney and BuzzFeed invested a lot of time in livestreaming last year and earned billions of views within 30 days of posting new content. To tell the difference between a trend and a fad, Jeffery Phillips, senior consultant at OVO Innovation, recommends asking these four questions: During this procedure, a tiny incision is made in the gums to expose the bone and surrounding inflamed tissue. With a skilled hand, the oral surgeon removes the damaged tissue and a small part of the root tip. To prevent reinfection, a root- end filling is placed and sutures are placed on the gums. The tooth is then left to heal naturally over a few months and regain full function. Endodontic surgery can be useful to diagnose problems, particularly if a patient has chronic symptoms but no problems appear on their X-ray. In some instances, calcium deposits may have made a canal too narrow for nonsurgical equipment, and surgery is required to treat the infected root. Additionally, while a root canal can usually last a lifetime, there are rare occasions when a tooth may not heal fully or become infected. Problems can manifest Why Do I Need Endodontic Surgery?

Collecting dust in warehouses, on store shelves, and atop dollar store checkout

displays, fidget spinners are haunting reminders of the danger of trends. Whether it’s “Pokemon Go” in 2016, Pogs in 1993, or tulips in 1593, fads appear suddenly and generate a lot of consumer demand and attention, but they don’t have lasting impacts on the market as a whole.

What to Tell Your Patient About APICOECTOMY

In most cases, being able to save a damaged tooth is preferable to extraction. Root canals are regularly used to save teeth with injured pulp. However, when nonsurgical treatments are not enough, general dentists have the option to refer their patient to an oral surgeon for an apicoectomy. Being sent to a new doctor for an advanced procedure can be a stressful situation for a patient. Luckily, their dentist or can help alleviate their concerns immensely by providing them with valuable information before their consultation. Here are some common questions patients have about apicoectomy.

months or years after treatment. In these scenarios, endodontic surgery is necessary to save the tooth.

How Long Is the Recovery Time?

After surgery, there may be some discomfort and swelling as the incision heals. The oral surgeon will prescribe the appropriate pain medication, and patients are recommended to ice the area for 10–12 hours and take it easy. You should be able to return to your regular routine within a few days. Patients should expect a post-surgical check two weeks after surgery, and then again in six months for a recall examination. When general dentists, orthodontists, and oral surgeons are all able to give patients the same information, it makes the dental process infinitely easier.

What Is an Apicoectomy?

The most common endodontic surgery to save damaged teeth is an apicoectomy.

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The modern office has changed. Gone are the days of musty cubicle wastelands and domineering bosses. In their stead, we have in-office mixers and peppy startup cultures. In fact, 20 percent of American companies either allow employees to bring in their pets or adopt a furry friend of their own, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association. If you’re on the fence about whether to let a literal animal into your workplace, you should know the >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

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