As more and more dentists are adding dental implant placement to their list of services, it is increasingly important to take the time to research and make sure you are choosing an expert that’s best suited for the job. Your Houston oral surgeons would like to share the results of a recent study that show the public and patients agree that oral and maxillofacial surgeons are the most qualified for dental implant placement.
Maybe you brush and floss just like you’re supposed to, but you could be doing significant harm to your teeth without even realizing it if you’re guilty of one or more of these 7 habits. Find out what they are — and how to start breaking them!
If you have chronic headaches that pound right behind your ear, that could be your body trying to tell you there’s something off with your TMJ. The temporomandibular joint is the network of ligaments, muscles, and bones that help your jaw to open, close, and move from side to side. If something goes awry with the way it lines up, you’ll probably feel it in the form of chronic jaw, head, neck, or ear pain. Fortunately, TMJ treatment provides relief for many people.
Are you planning for an upcoming root canal therapy? One of the best things you can do right now is to stock your fridge, freezer, and pantry with plenty of soft (but delicious) foods and snacks. You may not have much of an appetite right at first, but in the days following your root canal you will want to stick to foods that won’t stick to your teeth. To help, we’ve put together a menu just for you! You can still eat well while you recover from a root canal — you just need to do a little prep work first.
Have you recently had wisdom tooth surgery? Don’t worry — the discomfort and swelling you are likely experiencing right now won’t last. These side effects are just a natural part of the healing process, with most recoveries lasting anywhere from a few days to a little over a week. Your results may vary depending on the severity of the infection and your overall health. Follow our directions closely and you will be back to your old self again before you know it.
It’s probably not something you think about very often, but more people than ever are getting oral cancer. Awareness surrounding the disease remains critically low, and your Houston oral surgeon, Dr. Steve Koo is working on improving outcomes following oral cancer diagnoses by emphasizing the need for regular screenings. Did you know you can give yourself an oral cancer exam at home? It’s easy — read on to learn how.
A root canal treatment isn’t high on your “want to do” list, but if you ever do have to have one, that’s actually good news — it means a severely damaged or decayed tooth can be rescued. Houston oral surgeon, Dr. Steve L. Koo performs efficient, successful root canals at Piney Point Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. What causes a person to have to have a root canal? And how can you stay away from needing one at all? We take a closer look at these and other questions regarding root canals in this week’s blog post.
No one ever wants to have a tooth removed, but extraction is more common than you might think. Whether it’s due to injury, decay, or simple genetic factors, there may come a time when you, too, need tooth removal. Your oral surgeon at Piney Point OMS, Dr. Steve L. Koo, performs comfortable, efficient tooth extractions when they are needed to protect oral and overall health. Learn more about why removal is sometimes necessary, and how the procedure works, below.
Patients who are eligible for dental implants in Houston can look forward to a high quality, long lasting tooth replacement. Dental implants complete a smile like nothing else, and Dr. Steve Koo and the team at Piney Point are true leaders in implant dentistry. First, we prepare for dental implants, then place them in the jawbone, and after a healing period of six months to one year, we restore them with the final prosthetic. Keep reading to learn what you can expect from the dental implant surgery and preparatory procedures.
If you often feel like saying “ouch” upon opening your mouth, or if you hear a click or pop with every bite you take, it’s time to take a load off your TMJ. When something’s off with the alignment of your jaw joint, you’ll definitely feel the pain. Doing some exercises can help, and so can taking smaller bites and applying moist heat to the jaw. Once you’ve tried everything and still haven’t found relief, it’s time to visit your Houston oral surgeon for TMJ therapy, Dr. Steve L. Koo.
