West Side Oral Surgery

Expert Care in an Attentive Environment
Our practice is dedicated to providing oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures in a comfortable and caring environment. Our six oral surgeons in NYC, Dr. Bobby Zargari, Dr. Keith Lustman, Dr. Jerry Halpern, and Dr. Connor Balog have a combined experience of over 25 years caring for patients. We are committed to providing the safest and most effective oral & maxillofacial surgical procedures available which include the finest dental implants in NYC. We strive to stay in the forefront of technology by optimizing the use of state-of-the-art equipment and performing new and improved procedures.

Capability and Collaboration
We practice the full scope of our specialty, including the removal of wisdom teeth, reconstructive and cosmetic procedures, TMJ, orthognathic surgery and dental implants. NYC doctors Zargari, Lustman, Halpern, and Balog are members of the Attending Staff at New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, where they play an active role in the training of residents.

Our Facility
Our office is located 2 blocks south of Central Park on West 57th Street, between 6th Ave and 7th Ave. This facility is convenient for those that live and work in the heart of New York and is close to many subway lines.

Dr. Bobby Zargari is a respected Maxillofacial and Oral Surgeon in NYC with extensive clinical and academic credentials. He graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacology from St. Johns University and graduated in the top three in his class at the University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine to earn his DMD.

Dr. Zargari is an Assistant Professor at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center and takes an active role in training the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residents. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and the American Dental Board of Anesthesiology. He is a member of the American Dental Association, the American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons and the New York Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. He is certified in Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Advanced Trauma Life Support, and Pediatric Advanced Life Support.

Dr. Zargari is passionate about dentistry and believes in a team approach. He takes great pride in his work and developing relationships with his patients and referring doctors. He continues to expand his knowledge and expertise in oral surgery by attending continuing education seminars and reviewing new publications.

Bobby grew up in Great Neck, New York and resides there with his wife, Melissa and their children, Tyler, Victoria, and Mason. When he is not working or spending time with his family, Bobby enjoys swimming, racquetball, and lacrosse.

Dr. Keith Lustman is a well-trained and highly regarded Maxillofacial and Oral Surgeon in NYC recruited to our practice after he completed his Residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Campus. Before his career in oral surgery, Keith graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Yeshiva University and with Honors from the University of Toronto, School of Dental Medicine to earn his DDS.

Keith completed a General Dental Practice Residency at New York Presbyterian Hospital/ Weill Cornell Medical Center and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He studied all aspects of dentistry including periodontal surgery, implant restoration, and endodontic therapy at the post-graduate level. This experience has given him a unique perspective in communicating with both restorative dentists and other dental specialists on caring for patients and optimizing treatment plans. He was then offered a grant to continue the research he had begun at these centers as a Clinical Research Fellow at the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, where he participated in several projects and papers that have been submitted for peer review and publication.

Upon completing his OMS training, he received the Distinguished House Staff Award from NYPH/WCMC, an honor given to only a few select physicians in the hospital.

Keith is a Diplomate of the American Dental Board of Anesthesiology and a candidate for board certification by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He is a member of the American Dental Association, the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, and the New York State Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. He is certified in Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Advanced Trauma Life Support, and Pediatric Advanced Life Support.

In addition to his work on the full scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery, Keith has established a niche as the “kids’ oral surgeon” as well.

Dr. Lustman grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, and now resides in Manhattan. He enjoys traveling, writing, basketball, squash, and spinning.

Dr. Jerry Halpern is one of the most respected Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons both in New York City and the United States.

Dr. Halpern received his Bachelor of Science degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He then received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree, graduating on Dean’s List from Howard University College of Dentistry. Upon graduation, Dr. Halpern was accepted and completed four years of residency in General Practice followed by Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at New York Presbyterian- Weill Cornell Medical Center.

Dr. Halpern is a Fellow of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons; American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons; American College of Dentists; American Dental Society of Anesthesia and the New York Academy of Dentistry. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, and the American Board of Dental Anesthesiology. Dr. Halpern is certified in Basic Cardiac Life Support; Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support.

Dr. Halpern has been and is currently involved with local and national organized dentistry. He is a former Chair and current member of the Humanitarian Outreach Committee of the New York Academy of Dentistry and President-elect of the New York Academy of Dentistry. Celebrating its centennial year in 2021. He was the Chair of the New York Section of the American College of Dentists. Chair of the Henry Spenadel Award Committee for the New York County Dental Society. Chair of the Dental Anesthesia Assistants Certification exam and senior consultant for the Committee of Practice Management and Allied Staff for the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

He has served as President of the New York State Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Also serving as a delegate to the House of Delegates of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons for nine years.

Dr. Halpern has lectured locally and nationally at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Center; Greater New York Dental meeting; the American Association of Maxillofacial Prosthodontists and the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, on topics ranging from dental oncology, cancer reconstruction of the fibula free flap with implants; bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the maxilla and mandible, the impact of dental forensic identification on 9/11. The forensic odontologist” Dentistry’s Detectives. He has also published papers on bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws in cancer patients, as well as fibula free flap implant reconstruction.

Teaching and mentoring is part of Dr. Halpern’s mantra. For over 30 years as an attending oral and maxillofacial surgeon at New York Presbyterian- Weill Cornell Medical Center and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, he has imparted his wisdom, skills, and life’s experience to his residents.

In 2018, Jerry began teaching clinical oral and maxillofacial surgery at the Touro College of Dental Medicine. This being the newest dental school in New York State in 50 years.

For the past nine years in conjunction with three local dental schools, the New York Academy of Dentistry, and hospital oral and maxillofacial surgery residents, general practice residents, and dentists, he has traveled to the Dominican Republic to treat underserved children, plantation workers, and medically compromised HIV patients. This work led to the building of a six chair clinic. This work and clinic is now part of the World of Smiles Foundation of which he is President.

Since 9/11, Dr. Halpern was an active member of the forensic identification team of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of New York City, he currently serves as a forensic consultant and member of the Medical Examiner Special Operations Response Team for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of the City of New York.

For his work during 9/11, Dr. Halpern received awards from the U.S House of Representatives, New York State, New York City, the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, and the Chief Medical Examiner of the City of New York.

In 2010, Dr. Halpern received the Presidential Achievement Award in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. This award given by the Board of Trustees to recognize a member or fellow for important long-standing contributions of benefit to the specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery through clinical, academic, research, or public service activities. This is one of the highest awards given by the specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery.

In 2018 at the 100th American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial National meeting Dr Halpern was again recognized by receiving the Humanitarian Award. This award given for his continued humanitarian work here and abroad.

As a surgeon, educator, and friend, Jerry continues to foster the trust, respect, and admiration of his patients and peers. This reflected by his continued energy and love of his profession.

Jerry was born in Astoria and grew up in Laurelton, New York. He is married to his beautiful wife, Pamela, a former Radio City Music Hall Rockette, and has three wonderful sons, Stephen, Josh, and Michael. Jerry loves spending time with his family, hiking, swimming, relaxing on the beach, and enjoying great food.

Dr. Connor Balog is an experienced Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon who recently completed his surgical residency and NYU Langone Hospital / Bellevue Hospital Center where he covered New York City’s primary level one trauma call of the head and neck region for four consecutive years. Dr. Balog completed a chief residency year from 2022-2023 finalizing his training before joining the Greenwich Village Oral Surgery Practice as a new associate partner.

Prior to Residency Dr. Balog obtained a DMD degree from the Medical University of South Carolina. He has since completed training with high proficiency in the fields of dentoalveolar surgery, trauma surgery of the head and neck region, surgical pathology and treatment, as well as prosthetic implantology.

In addition to Connor is an active member of the American Dental Association and the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He is certified in Basic Life Support, Advance Cardiovascular Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, and Advanced Trauma Life Support. Connor prides himself on ensuring safety as well as comfort for each and every one of his patients’ to the highest degree.