Piney Point Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Blog

Do you suffer from chronic jaw pain? Does it constantly pop and click, or is it difficult to open and close? If so, you may be suffering from a temporomandibular disorder, also known as a TMD. This refers to problems with the jaw, specifically to the small joints located in front of your ears. Doctors have known for years that a TMD could lead to headaches and neck pain, but did you also know that it could make you more pain sensitive overall? New research at the Temporomandibular Joint Association (TMJA) suggests that a prolonged TMD could affect the nervous system similarly to fibromyalgia. (more…)

Visiting the dentist or oral surgeon isn’t the best part of anyone’s year, but it doesn’t have to be a thing to fear or dread. Patients of Houston oral surgeon Dr. Koo and Dr. Weil know that oral surgery isn’t a bad thing at all — and when it improves your health, it’s actually something you can look forward to. Learn more about dental fears and what you can expect from Piney Point Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery today.

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Have you noticed your front teeth looking more crowded than they used to? There’s got to be a reason they’re suddenly moving around — and actually, your front tooth crowding can be caused by your wisdom teeth. These third molars erupt between ages 15 and 24 and often put pressure on the surrounding teeth, making them move around when you least expect it. Your oral surgeon in Houston recommends the extraction of problematic wisdom teeth.

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Early detection of oral cancer is crucial for successful treatment. Just over half of people diagnosed with the condition survive after five years, according to The Oral Cancer Foundation. Receiving regular screenings and keeping an eye out for the early warning signs of oral cancer can help you increase the odds of successfully treating the condition.

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Does your outer skin reflect your best you? You know, the version of yourself that’s confident, energized, and ready for anything. If you’re like most adults, the answer is a big no. That good old Texas sun, daily stress, and simple aging take a real toll on the facial tissue. Dr. Koo at Piney Point Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery can quickly rejuvenate your appearance with cosmetic facial treatments. Botox injections and dermal fillers are two popular options for refreshing your skin — but they’re not the only ones.

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Do you suffer from a clicking or popping jaw? You are not alone. 10 million Americans (mostly women) are dealing with the pain of a dysfunctioning temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Current treatment for a TMJ deals with the symptoms without actually fixing the damaged tissue. But new research out of Columbia University Medical Center (published in the journal Nature Communications) suggests there is a better answer — and it lies in the stem cells already present in your jaw.

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No one ever expects to need dental surgery, but sometimes there’s no way to avoid it. Like with problematic wisdom teeth, one of the most common dental procedures. Oral and maxillofacial surgery improves the health and function of your oral structures, including your teeth, jaw, and your gums. Below, your oral surgeon in Houston has listed the most frequently-performed oral procedures along with what you can expect for each.

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As the Houston Cougars look to enter the Big 12, we’re thinking about dental injuries (among other things). Contact sports like football are one of the leading causes of injured teeth — but there’s also life’s little unexpected, like fender benders or a Sunday afternoon bike ride gone awry. Whatever it is that causes your next tooth injury, you can stay calm by being prepared. Keep reading to learn how to treat the pain at home, and when to seek help from your Houston oral surgeon.

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