Piney Point Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of Houston Blog

Wisdom teeth, the third molars at the back of the mouth, can cause a lot of oral health complications. Therefore, many dentists recommend that they be removed. Typically, this procedure takes place when a patient is in their late teens or early 20s. But what if you are a bit older? Does that mean you are no longer eligible for wisdom tooth removal? No, it does not! In this blog post, you will learn what you should know as a more mature wisdom tooth patient.

Jaw discomfort, difficulty opening or closing your mouth, persistent headaches, migraines, and other related pains frequently accompany TMJ disorder (TMD). These symptoms can significantly diminish your quality of life — you deserve to receive timely, high-quality care! Although many people with TMD respond well to noninvasive therapies, some individuals require surgical intervention to find relief. If you are considering talking to an oral surgeon about potential surgery, you can be confident that they will do all they can to help you. But what can you expect from the treatment process? This blog post provides some helpful information.

Dental implants can do much to support your health. They can preserve your jawbone, provide you with strong chewing power, and more. But they can also help you love what you see in the mirror! Indeed, they offer some outstanding cosmetic benefits. How can dental implants help you look your best? This blog post explains.

If you are thinking about getting dental implants, it is understandable if you are a bit nervous about the surgical procedure. This may be especially true if you are sensitive to oral discomfort. You may rightly wonder if it hurts to get dental implants! The good news is that the treatment is easier than most people expect. In this blog post, you will learn the basics of what you may experience throughout your tooth replacement journey.

When you attend your dental implant consultation, you might expect that your oral surgeon will start planning for your implant surgery right away. However, you could be surprised to find out that you actually need one or more preliminary procedures before you move forward with tooth replacement! Indeed, some patients require bone grafting, tooth extractions, or gum disease treatment. This blog post provides an overview of each of these services.

You probably already know that the sooner oral cancer is detected, the better the chances of long-term survival. Yes, timely detection and treatment are vital in order to stop the disease before it spreads throughout the body and causes potentially fatal harm. Still, you might wonder how long it can take for this condition to reach that point. Just how fast does oral cancer spread? This blog post explains some important information.

Many dentists offer sedation. However, the sedation they provide is conscious, meaning that it does not actually put patients to sleep. Sometimes, though, you will come across a practitioner that offers general anesthesia, which is true sleep dentistry. It can make you completely unaware of your surroundings. That might sound like a sweet deal, but is GA right for you? In this blog post, you will learn when it may be indicated.

After any sort of invasive medical procedure, it is important that you get enough rest! This allows your body to devote more resources to helping you heal. Of course, wisdom tooth extractions are no exception to this rule. Following your appointment, you should create time to relax — and you should get enough sleep. Granted, sleeping might be challenging when your mouth is sore. What can you do to sleep safely and somewhat comfortably as you are recovering? This blog post provides some helpful tips.

Has your dentist or oral surgeon recommended that you get your wisdom teeth removed? You might be hesitant to consent to the procedure, especially if you are not in any pain. However, it is important to recognize that failing to remove your wisdom teeth can put your oral health at risk, especially if they are impacted (stuck fully or partially beneath the gumline). What are some problems that can result from impacted wisdom teeth? This blog post lists a few.

Under optimal conditions, human teeth emerge vertically from the gumline. When they are properly aligned, they provide a functional bite and contribute to good oral and overall health. Unfortunately, this ideal scenario does not always occur. Some teeth, particularly wisdom teeth (the third molars at the back of the mouth), may grow at incorrect angles. Why do they sometimes grow sideways, and what implications does this have for oral health? This blog post provides an explanation.