Can TMJ require surgery?

TMJ disorders can be very painful and can take a long time to heal. There are a number of treatments that do not involve surgery including medications to help relax the muscle, physical therapy to loosen and strengthen the muscle and even counseling to help you learn what habits you may be doing that exacerbate the problem.

Before considering huntersville tmj surgery, your dentist will exhaust all other efforts including less invasive treatments such as injections to the area, arthrocentesis, and arthroscopy. If these treatments do not help your TMJ symptoms, surgery may be suggested to either repair or replace the temporomandibular joint.

TMJ surgery can help relieve chronic temporomandibular joint pain and headaches but the surgery is considered rather controversial and most doctors would like to avoid it if possible. TMJ surgery comes with many risks to the muscles and surrounding tissue on the face and jaw and the way you bite. Corrective jaw surgery can improve your quality of life but it is important to understand the risks as well as the benefits.

There is significant recovery time involved with TMJ surgery and some lifestyle changes that have to be made while you heal. Your doctor will discuss all of these with you while you determine if TMJ surgery is right for you.

Why is TMJ surgery controversial?

While the US food and drug administration does monitor the safety and effectiveness of artificial jaw joint implants, it is important to note that TMJ surgery is irreversible and there are no long-term clinical trials studying the safety and effectiveness of TMJ disorder surgeries. Also, there are no standards by which to identify people who would benefit from TMJ surgery,

As with a knee replacement, a jaw joint can be replaced with an artificial implant that may or may not work properly and could lead to more pain and damage to your jaw than before surgery.

What if my doctor recommends surgery for my TMJ disorder?

No doctor should ever make you feel pressured to have any procedure done, especially surgery. If your doctor advises TMJ surgery, make sure that you understand exactly what you can expect, why they recommend surgery, and what risks and benefits are involved. If you are at all uncomfortable, ask a friend or relative for a recommendation for a second opinion.

Be your own best advocate and do you do your research before you decide to proceed with surgery. The decision is ultimately yours and you should feel comfortable and confident in that choice. If you have exhausted all other avenues and feel that TMJ surgery is your next best option, discuss it with your doctor (and that all-important second opinion!).

More on TMJ Surgery : TMJ Surgery Procedure