Simon K. Choyee, DDS

Simon K. Choyee, DDS Dr. Choyee is an Oral & Maxillofacial surgeon practicing in Whittier, California.

This was a fun case. Patient came in complaining of a loose and painful implant #19 that was placed and restored by ano...
09/18/2025

This was a fun case. Patient came in complaining of a loose and painful implant #19 that was placed and restored by another dentist 2 years ago. CT scan showed a retained distal root tip that was communicating with the implant (confirmed clinically). Patient’s treatment included removing the de-integrated implant, root tip, bone grafting, and an immediate placement of a new implant in a more favorable position, all under local anesthesia 😱 (I usually recommend sedation for this type of procedure but patient refused)
She will be getting her new crown in 10-12 weeks 👍🏼

I TRUST U GUYS ALOTThis was the note from my last patient at USC. (She had gauze in her mouth so she asked for pen and p...
12/07/2023

I TRUST U GUYS ALOT

This was the note from my last patient at USC. (She had gauze in her mouth so she asked for pen and paper) A young female in her 20’s lost her last few remaining teeth due to her complex medical history and will wear dentures for the rest of her life. She was quite emotional, obviously, and probably feeling very vulnerable. But she hadn’t forgotten her trust in us and managed to write it down even as she was recovering from anesthesia 😢

This was my last day of teaching at USC, and I will surely miss moments like this. It was an honor to have spent the past 9 years with some of the most amazing people here. It’s been fun, y’all! GO TROJANS✌🏼

But on the other hand, now I get to spend more time with this cutie 👧🏻

“Working through a small hole 🕳️, Part 2”This was a healthy male patient in his 30’s who complained of discomfort in his...
06/12/2023

“Working through a small hole 🕳️, Part 2”

This was a healthy male patient in his 30’s who complained of discomfort in his lower right jaw.

His lower right third molar was deeply impacted and pre-op CT scan showed radiolucency associated with its crown as well as the inferior alveolar nerve in an intimate contact with the tooth. A complete removal of the tooth would likely cause nerve damage resulting in temporary or permanent loss of sensation in his lower lip and chin. Therefore, a coronectomy (partial removal) procedure was planned instead.

A standard third molar incision and a vertical releasing incision were made for access and a bone window🪟was created to avoid unnecessary bone removal. CEJ was identified to ensure complete removal of enamel-bearing area. Inflamed follicle tissue was biopsied.

Pathology report revealed the specimen to be an inflamed dentigerous cyst which is a benign tooth-born condition. Patient also did not complain of any loss of sensation post-operatively. 😁

Quite literally, teeth and titanium on display here. I do miss the fun OR stuff, but nothing wrong with these either. 🍞🧈...
09/30/2022

Quite literally, teeth and titanium on display here. I do miss the fun OR stuff, but nothing wrong with these either. 🍞🧈 Happy Friday y’all 👋🏼😊

“Just stick your finger in it!”…was what the patient was told by her surgeon who performed her orthognathic (corrective ...
08/10/2022

“Just stick your finger in it!”

…was what the patient was told by her surgeon who performed her orthognathic (corrective jaw) surgery. She had been complaining about a constant food trap and a tight, “pulling” sensation in her right cheek for months but she was simply told to remedy it by inserting her finger where the food gets stuck.

Frustrated, patient came to me for a second opinion. I noticed a scar from her BSSO incision was creating a food trap and offered a scar removal. The procedure involved cauterizing the scar and the site was left to heal by secondary intention. Routine wound care instructions were given.

2 weeks later, patient returned very satisfied and reported her symptoms disappeared.

I think it’s safe to say that she won’t be sticking her finger in her mouth after every meal from now on…

April is Oral Cancer Awareness month!This female patient in her 70’s is a breast cancer survivor and was hoping this “ul...
04/10/2022

April is Oral Cancer Awareness month!

This female patient in her 70’s is a breast cancer survivor and was hoping this “ulcer” on her tongue would eventually go away. Biopsy confirmed it was squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

According to the American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), “oral and pharyngeal cancer (cancer of the mouth and upper throat) collectively kills nearly one person every hour of every day of the year. Of the people newly diagnosed with these cancers, only about 60% will live longer than 5 years. Moreover, many who do survive suffer long-term problems such as facial disfigurement or difficulties eating and speaking. The death rate associated with oral and pharyngeal cancers remains particularly high due to the cancer being routinely discovered late in its development.”

This 42 year-old patient was vacationing outside of US when her wisdom tooth became symptomatic. The local dentist attem...
02/22/2022

This 42 year-old patient was vacationing outside of US when her wisdom tooth became symptomatic. The local dentist attempted removal but was unable to retrieve one of the roots as it “disappeared” from the operative field. She was then told to visit a specialist when she returned.

In this case, the CBCT shows how easily these lower third molars can “disappear” from the operator’s view. With excessive downward force during the extraction process, the tooth can be displaced through the thin lingual cortical bone, then medially and inferiorly ending up below the mylohyoid line.

One should attempt to push the tooth/root back into the socket if it is palpable. In more difficult cases, detachment of the mylohyoid muscle fibers is necessary to remove the displaced tooth which is what I had to do.

Surgery performed under IV sedation.

An 11 year-old patient with impacted central incisors and supernumeraries. In this case, the impacted teeth were exposed...
06/17/2021

An 11 year-old patient with impacted central incisors and supernumeraries.

In this case, the impacted teeth were exposed with releasing incisions placed posteriorly. Supernumerary teeth were removed with extraction forceps and gold chains were attached under isolation and then ligated to the ortho wire.

The incisions were closed with interrupted sutures.

Surgery performed under IV sedation.

A 10-year old patient with an impacted mandibular canine. In this case, the impacted canine was removed via a vestibular...
03/08/2021

A 10-year old patient with an impacted mandibular canine.

In this case, the impacted canine was removed via a vestibular incision through the labial mucosa. The mentalis muscles were identified, then a vertical midline incision was made between these muscles to avoid dividing them. Dividing these muscles requires re-suspending them which, if not properly done, can cause a chin ptosis also known as a “witch’s chin” 🧙‍♀️🧙‍♀️🧙‍♀️

The incision was closed with a simple running suture.

Surgery performed under IV sedation.

A Pokémon-loving (and very sweet) pediatric patient with a tricky mesiodens in the middle of the alveolar ridge (sagitta...
03/08/2021

A Pokémon-loving (and very sweet) pediatric patient with a tricky mesiodens in the middle of the alveolar ridge (sagittally) with its crown penetrating the nasal floor.

In this case, the impacted tooth was approached via a vestibular incision similar to that of a LeFort I osteotomy, and the nasal mucosa was lifted subperiosteally. Then a small amount of bone was removed from the nasal floor just enough to expose the crown. A small purchase point (see photo) was made into the crown and voila, the mesiodens was lifted with minimal force out of its socket.

The incision was closed with a simple running suture.

Anesthesia provided by my amazing colleague Dr. Alanes

Address

16315 Whittier Boulevard Suite 201
Whittier, CA
90603

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+15629474781

Website

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