Piney Point Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of Houston Blog

Cleft lip and cleft palate are relatively common birth defects. They occur when the upper lip or palate (roof of the mouth) does not form properly, leaving a split or gap in the tissue. Cleft lip has an obvious aesthetic downside, but the complications of these conditions go far beyond mere looks. In this blog post, you will learn about the potential consequences of these issues and why timely treatment is so important.

The idea of undergoing any type of surgery might seem unpleasant, particularly when the procedure involves your face! However, facial surgeries — including those that focus on the jaw — are necessary for many people. What are some common reasons for jaw surgery, and how might it improve your oral function, overall health, and appearance? This blog post explains.

The vast majority of people will get a dental cavity at least once in their lifetime; in fact, cavities are one of the most common oral health conditions! But what if you have had some (or all) of your teeth replaced by dental implants? Are cavities still something you need to worry about? This blog post explains some interesting information that will help you take good care of your smile.

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.