Debbie Cook lives in Wisconsin, where almost a dozen doctors and specialists––from neurologists to ENTs to oral surgeons––couldn’t solve the mystery of her splitting headaches. It took a flight to Texas to see her sister-in-law, Dr. Zahra Cook, to give Debbie back her life.

“Two days before I turned fifty,” says Debbie, “I woke up with a terrible headache and a plugged ear. My doctor thought it might be a virus, but it was the beginning of a dreadful downward spiral. I suffered almost constant headaches, so severe I couldn’t get out of bed. All my medical tests came back normal, but the pain was getting worse. My job was at risk, because I literally could not function. One neurologist told me my tests were normal…so I must be as crazy as one of his ex-girlfriends to claim I had pain! My husband told his brother David about everything we were suffering…and David’s wife, Dr. Zahra Cook suspected it might be TMJ.”

“You know what’s really crazy?” Debbie says. “My insurance company covered thousands of dollars of doctor visits and tests, but it wasn’t until my husband and I took matters into our own hands and flew to Texas that we got any answers. After taking my measurements and running tests, Zahra fitted me with a temporary bite splint…and the very next day I felt so much better! Three weeks later my permanent custom-fitted one arrived…and I wear it all the time now (except when I eat). There’s no pain at all anymore! It’s really unobtrusive, and plenty of people can’t tell I have it in at all. If you have headaches that just can’t be explained, I recommend you see a trained neuromuscular dentist like Dr. Cook. When she comes to Wisconsin to visit, I introduce her as ‘The sister-in-law who saved my life!’”

So what was behind Debbie’s pain? Dr. Cook explains, “Temporomandibular Dysfunction (known as TMD or TMJ) is a physical problem that results in a cycle of pain, muscle spasms, and jaw joint problems…but it is treatable! After determining your optimal bite, I’ll created a custom bite splint to restore alignment and relieve your pain.”

In addition to the standard dental fare, Dr. Cook has the training to perform every treatment…veneers, root canals, orthodontics (braces and Invisalign), implants and restorations, extreme makeover dentures, TMJ treatment, wisdom teeth extraction and more. She’s a Fellow of the International Congress of Implantologists (FICOI) and a Fellow of the Las Vegas Institute of Advanced Dental Studies (LVIF). This past summer she earned the elite Master of the Academy of General Dentistry (MAGD) award, earned by less than two percent of all general dentists.

“I enjoy seeing my patients take pride in their smiles and living a life free from pain ,” says Dr. Cook. “That’s why I’ve pursued continuing education in this field for twenty-six years. Dentistry is more than my profession, it’s my passion!”

Zahra Cook, DMD Advanced Cosmetic Dentist
281-342-8481
536 Fm 359 Rd
Richmond, TX 77406