Giles: got your email, thanks for the reply.
adam313: The issue with your jeans seems similar to mine.
From what I can tell, it looks like the button hole stitch is intact, and that loose threads are poking out from under the stitching.
At any rate, I think I am just going to stop by a local tailor and see what they have to say. Then, I'll either trim the threads, or have the buttonholes re-stitched.
Thanks for your time!