Is jaw surgery for TMJ worth it?

About Jaw Surgery

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is like a hinge found where the jawbone and skull meet. The TMJ makes it possible to talk, eat and do everything with our mouths. When there is a disorder with the TMJ, it causes a lack of mobility, pain, and stiffness resulting in our inability to utilize the jaws' full range of movement (i.e., limit the opening and closing of the mouth).

While TMJ replacement surgery is required to treat TMJ disorder if other treatments such as mouth guards and oral splints do not help. It is recommended to seek medical advice about other alternatives.

Causes of TMJ

There is no exact cause of TMJ; however, the TMJ disorder can be caused by,

• -          Displacement of the disc.
• -          Inflammatory arthritis.
• -          Genetic malformation from birth.

When is TMJ surgery not required?

Surgery is not required when you can open and close your jaw. Though there may be some degree of pain associated with it, your doctor may suggest medication, physical therapy, or lifestyle changes rather than surgery because of the risks involved.

In addition, you do not need surgery if your symptoms are not severe or consistent. This is because the pain may be associated with the overuse of your TMJ. In this case, your doctor may advise you to rest your jaw.

Types of TMJ Surgery

There are several types of TMJ surgery available such as :

Arthrocentesis: This surgery is performed by injecting fluid into the joint. The function of the liquid is to remove chemical or inflammatory byproducts and debris from the joint, thereby reducing the pressure that causes the stiff or painful joint.

Arthroscopy: This surgery is performed by inserting a cannula (a narrow tube) into the joint from a small hole opened in the skin above the joint. After the cannula is inserted, the surgeon inserts an arthroscope, a tool with light and camera used to visualize the joint, after which the surgeon can begin the surgery using small surgical instruments.

Open joint surgery: This surgery is recommended for severe TMJ disorder involving the fusion of the joint tissue, cartilage or bone and a lot of tissue or bone growth that stops the joint from moving.

This surgery enables the surgeon to remove excess tissue or bony growths and repair the disc if it is damaged or out of place. This is also referred to as jaw disc displacement surgery. If the disc is damaged beyond repair, the surgeon may attempt a discectomy to entirely replace the disc with an artificial disc or your tissue.

While arthrocentesis and arthroscopy surgery are less invasive and pose minimal risks, open joint surgery is riskier. That is why it is highly advised to consult with a medical professional for a thorough examination to determine the nature of the joint disorder and discuss the options best suited for the condition. It would help if you searched for an oral surgeon specializing in TMJ near me to find a specialist surgeon closest to you.