With more than 2,000 clinicians certified in more than 80 medical specialties and subspecialties, UT Physicians provides multispecialty care for the entire family.
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Craig B. Pearl, DDS, is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon treating all aspects of temporomandibular joint disease and orofacial pain. He is focused on not only improving the quality of life of chronic pain patients but also eradicating chronic pain through both conservative and surgical interventions.
He’s also an associate professor and the Thomas M. Weil Professorship in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in the Bernard and Gloria Pepper Katz Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry.
In his research, Pearl focuses on all aspects of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disease and management, proposing new treatment protocols in the management of total joint replacement surgery and describing the successful management of orthognathic surgery using the latest advances in virtual surgical planning and manufacturing. He is acutely interested in TMJ and pain management as these areas are often poorly understood, and most patients are referred to several different specialists due to misdiagnoses with resultant delays in treatment.
Pearl attended dental school at the University of Witwatersrand, where he also completed a residency and fellowship in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Before joining UTHealth Houston, he spent 14 years in private practice, performing all aspects of dentoalveolar surgery, and successfully completed over 150 cases of teeth in a day with implant surgery.
Pearl worked as a volunteer firefighter, which ignited his passion for trauma management. He covers the facial trauma service at Memorial Hermann – Texas Medical Center, the busiest Level 1 trauma hospital in the United States.
Other Experience
Ongoing Reviewer for Journals: Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Professional Memberships
2021-present Diplomate, American Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
2020-present Member, Texas Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
2020-present Member, American Dental Society of Anesthesia
2005-present Fellow, College of Medicine South Africa
1998-present Member Health Profession Council South Africa
1992-2000 Alpha Omega Society
Honors
2005 Miller Registrar Prize for Best Examination Results, University of the Witwatersrand
2005 South African Society of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgeons Gold Medal
1998 PROSSA Award – Most Distinguished Student in Fixed Prosthodontics
1998 South African Dental Association Award for Best Result in Operative Dentistry
1996 C J Dreyer Award for Most Distinguished Student in Medicine and Surgery
1996 Jan Breyer Award for Academic Excellence in Pharmacology
All patient experience ratings and comments are submitted by actual patients and are received and validated by a leading independent survey company, NRC Health.
Dr.Pearl and the resident (apologies as I forgot his name) who spoke to me listened tentatively and didn't dismiss any of my discomfort. I really appreciate that coming from other experiences.
Josh, who is doing his Residency was professional, kind and knowledgeable.
Dr. Pearl is a wonderful doctor and surgeon. He has great bedside manner and really listens and cares about you as a patient. His staff is terrible though. His residents have terrible bedside manner a can't be bothered to introduce themselves. His surgery scheduler Angelique is annoyed to be doing her job and never has any idea what is going on, even with conversations on back to back days. I was fitted for a splint over a month prior to my appointment and paid for it in full at the time. At my post op appointment, I was supposed to be put into my splint and told my regimen to wear it and help prevent further injury and pain to my jaw. Sadly, my splint was not available at my appointment and no one could locate it anywhere. When I finally could speak with Angelique, she had no idea if my splint had even been sent off to be made and had no memory of my payment. After playing phone tag, she was able to tell me it was sent off to be made but had no clue on its arrival timeline. So, my care and pain management is being delayed because no one could follow up and ensure my splint's arrive in over a month's time. I was also told it would only take a max of 3 weeks. I also struggled to get insurance approval for my surgery and I had to be the one constantly calling insurance to see exactly what documents they needed and how to get them to the insurance company. I constantly had more information than the surgery scheduler because she would always say "oh I'll call them tomorrow morning". The support staff of Dr. Pearl's office is incredibly frustrating and incompetent.
I arrived at 2:22 pm for my 2:45 pm appointment. I wasn't called into the exam room until about 3 pm. After more waiting, around 3:45 pm, a resident came in to talk to me. He informed me I needed to do panoramic teeth X-ray. The first two X-rays for some reason didn't work. At about 4:15, I had to leave to pick up the kids. They quickly did the X-ray for the 3rd time and told me Dr. Pearl would write me what the next step is through the patient portal. That was on Tuesday. I haven't received any communication from him up to this moment. I had good experience with his office before other than the occasional long wait, but not this time.
I liked Dr Pearl. He was very knowledgeable and seemed to care about his patients.
Dr. Pearl and his staff are wonderful! He took the time to listen to my concerns and created a plan moving forward. Would recommend Dr. Pearl and his clinic to anyone in need of OMFS care.
Extremely knowledgeable. Was impressed.
There was no wait time. I am a new patient so they didn't know my medical history. I had to give it to them.
My doctor was vry informative helpful and I'm blessed to have Dr . Pearl at my doctor
Can't ask for anything better then UTHealth
Wait time was minimal. Everyone was so nice and friendly.
Provider/Dr Pearl was wonderful- professional, knowledgeable and kind. Office appt scheduling was difficult to do- was rescheduled twice. Was told the office manager would call me back & when I didn't receive a call back, I called and was told patient was a no show (which wasn't the case) but then receptionist noticed the Dr wasn't in the office so then she referred me to office manager again. Office manager was great once I was able to speak with her. Scheduling seemed difficult but appt with Dr was great. I do appreciate the service as my child is special needs and was unable to receive treatment needed at home because of insurance.
Dr. Pearl is great. There was no wait time and we were seen quickly
Yes, I love Dr. Pearl. He's one of the finest oral surgeons in the state of Texas, maybe the whole world. That is the reason that I come far, far away to see him to do my surgery, but his staff is inadequate. Thank you.
The people I UT Healthcare are very friendly My experience down there was wonderful!!
The doctor would look at us angrily. He looked upset, as if he didn't know what I was telling him. Like if he were like he didn't know what I was telling him, as if I was wrong. And he even answered a call while I was at my appointment. That doctor didn't seem professional to me.
This was my first time seeing this doctor, but not to have any history of my history concerning my mouth I trust him based on the way I was treated any diagnosis
Great doctor. Extremely competent and courteous. I was very fortunate that he was on call at Methodist for my surgery. Couldn't offer a higher recommendation!
Looking forward to my next visit in order to better understand what is causing my medical issue and what can be done to correct it .
Appointment was scheduled at 3pm, my daughter was seen by two medical students. The doctor came at the end. We checked out at 5:15pm. It was a long wait to see the doctor.
Excellent
One of the best ever. All employees are kind and considerate. My doctor is top notch. Thankful that my insurance is taken here.
Thank you so much! Staff was kind and patient, and answered questions and listened. Dr. Pearl has a wonderful "bedside" manner that one doesn't see in many doctors. While he wasn't sure what my problem stemmed from, he definitely offered what it was NOT and definitely relieved my fears and anxiety! He is going to follow up with me in 3 weeks with a teleconference. Thank you all!
Everyone was very professional and wonderful to speak with. I appreciated the detailed explanation of what to expect next and being treated so kindly. Thank you for seeing me as a person and not just another patient.
Very good experience.
Dr. Pearl was very good at explaining everything to me and my daughter, both. Everything we could understand, layman terms, and what to expect. He did really, really great. Thank you.
I really like the Dr. But the woman who checks u out before you leave was extremely unfriendly. I gave her all my info but she was rude
Fast, efficient, friendly service.
Scheduling with the office is VERY difficult! I leave many messages before I am called back.
I love Dr Pearl...