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.
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