What kind of surgery do they do for TMJ?
There are three surgical options used to treat temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD): arthroplasty, arthroscopy and complete joint replacement. Each type of surgery is performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
How do you know if you need surgery for TMJ?
Your doctor may recommend TMJ surgery if: You feel consistent, intense pain or tenderness when you open or close your mouth. You can’t open or close your mouth all the way. You have trouble eating or drinking because of jaw pain or immobility.
How is a TMJ surgery done?
Open-joint surgery consists of opening an incision a few inches long over the joint so your surgeon may operate on the joint itself. This type of TMJ surgery is usually reserved for a severe TMJ disorder that involves: a lot of tissue or bone growth that stops the joint from moving.
How long is recovery from TMJ surgery?
Your recovery time will vary based on the extent of your needs. If you have total joint replacement, you will need to recover in the hospital for three- to five-days. You will also need at least two weeks of at-home recovery time before you can return to work or begin eating somewhat normally.
Can you fix TMJ without surgery?
Other ways we treat TMJ without surgery include orthodontics, restorative dentistry, and other types of dental services. In some cases, corrective jaw surgery may be your best option.
Can TMJ change your face?
Yes, over time, TMJ disorder can alter the shape of your face. Facial symmetry can be lost, your teeth may change the way they meet together in your mouth, and over-activity in the masseter muscle can cause the jaw to appear swollen and square.
What can I eat after Arthrocentesis TMJ?
For two to six weeks following surgery, you diet should consist of a soft diet as chewing may disrupt the joint and can cause problems. The diet does not need to be limited to liquids, but the consistency should be that of cottage cheese, pasta, egg salad, and other soft foods that do not require heavy chewing.
Does TMJ surgery actually work?
Perhaps most importantly, TMJ surgery doesn’t always work; in fact, many times, patients experience no relief at all, despite undergoing a serious surgical procedure that makes irreversible changes to their bodies.
What do they do for TMJ surgery?
Surgical procedures to treat TMJ symptoms include arthrocentesis – simply removing joint fluid — and/or arthroscopic surgery — looking into the joint and flushing and removing scar tissue. After surgery, limited mouth opening is common, as is pain and swelling. A woman is touching her jaw.
What can a doctor do for TMJ?
If TMJ is mild, you may be treated with pain medications and muscle relaxants. A physician or dentist may also prescribe certain types of antidepressants, called tricyclic antidepressants, for moderate pain.
What kind of doctor should I go to for TMJ?
The best doctor to see for first choice to diagnose and treat TMJ is an oral surgeon. These specialists are trained specifically in the diagnosis and treatment of TMJ. However, a recommendation is often required just to make an appointment with an oral surgeon. In this case, you should opt to see your dentist.