Comprehensive Guide to TMJ Surgery: What You Should Know By Jerush Dentofacial & Cosmetic Laser Centre

25-year-old Kavitha was hale and healthy, following her routine and living her life to the fullest. Until one day, she had discomfort in her jaw and aching pain in and around her ear. She didn’t mind it. But the other day, she had difficulty chewing while trying to munch on her favourite popcorn, and she has been experiencing consistent pain now.

That's when she realised she had some issues in her mouth, especially in her teeth and jaw line, and visited her dentist. After an examination, scans, and X-rays, she was diagnosed with TMJ disorder, and her doctor recommended surgery.

She was confused and had some burning questions, like, What is TMJ disorder? Why would you need TMJ surgery? What do they do in TMJ surgery? Is TMJ surgery safe?

This article will give you details on everything you need to know about TMJ disorder, its diagnosis, and its treatment.

What are the TMJ Disorders?

The temporo-mandibular joints, or TMJs, attach the lower jaw to your skull's base. There are two joints present, one on each side of your jaw. They allow your jaw to slide up and down, talk, chew, and do the normal things with your mouth.

Here, TMJ disorders can cause pain in your jaw point and in the muscles that are responsible for controlling your jaw movement.

Determining the exact cause of an individual's TMJ disorder isn't straightforward. The person might suffer this for various reasons, including genetics, a jaw injury, or arthritis.

Sometimes, people who grind their teeth due to jaw pain never develop TMJ disorders. This is why finding the exact cause has never been easy.

Note: Some people have their faces destructured. If your face has restructured due to TMJ disorder, get it treated and fixed at dentofacial and cosmetic laser centres.

Symptoms of TMJ Disorder

• Aching facial pain
• Pain or tenderness in your jaw
• Aching pain in and around your ear
• Pain in one or both of the TM joints
• Problems or discomfort when eating.
• Locking of the joint hinders the ability to move your mouth freely.

Are you experiencing these symptoms and looking for treatment in Chennai? Visit our dental surgical treatment centre in Adyar. We also have branches in Nagercoil and Thuckalay.

When Should I See a Doctor?

Experts from a dentofacial and cosmetic laser centre suggest that individuals must seek medical attention if they have persistent pain and tenderness in their jaw. Or if they can't open or close your jaw or mouth completely.

Diagnosis

If your doctor or dentist doubts or finds a problem, you may need:

• Dental X-rays for assessing your teeth and jaw,
• CT scans for obtaining intricate bone images related to the joint
• MRI scans to detect issues with the joint's disc or the soft tissues surrounding it.

Do You Really Need Surgery for TMJ Disorders?

People experiencing pain and discomfort with TMJ disorders are temporary in most cases.

TMJ Surgery is not recommended:

• If your symptoms are simple and easily curable, your oral surgeon will suggest:
• If your TMJ symptoms respond to non-surgical therapies,
• If the symptoms mentioned above are inconsistent, you experience pain one day and no pain the next.
• If you have a full range of mouth-opening
• If you aren't medically fit for the surgery

This disorder can be easily relieved with the help of self-care and non-surgical treatments, including lifestyle changes, medication, and physical therapy.

Surgery is the last treatment option when the other non-surgical treatments have failed.

What areThe Surgical Options for TMJ Disorders?

Arthrocentesis

In this medical procedure, a needle filled with fluid is inserted into a joint. This fluid helps in cleansing the debris or chemical byproducts of inflammation. Thus, it reduces the pressure that causes the joint to be stiff or painful. This minimally invasive procedure can help you regain your jaw's range of motion.

When diagnosed with TMJ disorder, arthrocentesis is the first treatment suggested because it is less invasive and the procedure's success rate is high. The patient needs 1 to 2 days of rest at home post-operation.

Looking for TMJ surgery in Chennai? At Jerush, we offer a comprehensive approach to TMJ surgery, ensuring that each patient receives personalised care.

Arthroscopy

In arthroscopy, a small hole or a series of small holes are made in the skin above the joint. A narrow or slender tube called a cannula is inserted through the opening and into the joint. The surgeon will insert an arthroscope through the cannula. The arthroscope is an instrument equipped with a light source and a camera, enabling visualisation of the interior of your joint.

When this setup is done, the surgeon will operate on the joint and do some complex procedures such as scar tissue removal, joint reshaping, medication injection, and pain or swelling relief.

It's a minimally invasive surgical procedure, and the healing time is similar to that of arthrocentesis.

Joint replacement surgery

Joint replacement surgery or arthroplasty is when a damaged or deteriorated joint is

replaced with a prosthesis. This surgery relieves pain and improves joint function in cases of severe arthritis, joint injury, or other joint disorders.

This is a more invasive procedure in which the surgeon attempts to fix the joint or the disc inside. The operation requires general anaesthesia.

Condylotomy

The condyle is the rounded portion of a bone at a joint. This surgical procedure aims to remove or reshape the condyle partially. This surgeon performs this procedure to treat temporomandibular joint (TMJ) for conditions such as TMJ disorder. When the joint structure is modified, the patient with TMJ disorder can experience reduced pain and improved joint function. This procedure requires at least 2–3 weeks of recovery time.

Orthognathic surgery

Orthognathic surgery is also called corrective jaw surgery. It's an effective treatment for TMJ disorders, where it helps reposition the jaws to improve the alignment of the jaw or facial structure. By realigning the jaws, this surgery can alleviate TMJ pain and improve jaw function and facial aesthetics. A full recovery from this procedure can take 2–6 weeks.

If your doctor suggests surgery or other procedures, discuss the potential benefits and risks to be better prepared. Get the best orthognathic surgery at the top dentofacial and cosmetic laser centre in Nagercoil.

Final Words

TMJ surgery holds the potential to reduce pain, improve jaw function, and enhance the quality of life for people suffering from TMJ disorders. By staying informed and making well-informed decisions, you can get TMJ surgery with confidence, knowing that you are taking an important step towards a healthier, pain-free future.

Jerush is a dentofacial and cosmetic surgery centre. We have a team of experts who have years of experience under their belt in handling complex issues related to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). We promise the highest standard of care in the field of TMJ surgery. Get in touch for more details.