Jaw surgery for TMJ should be a last resort if self-care and less intrusive treatment plans aren’t working. Some of these at-home or prescribed treatments include wearing a mouthguard or splint therapy, changing your eating habits, doing physical therapy, and visiting other specialists. We talk about a lot of these alternative-to-surgery treatments for TMJ on this website.
However, if your symptoms – like pain, jaw locking, jaw misalignment, and jaw clicking – persist, then jaw surgery for TMJ may be an option. This is especially true if the disorder is causing a significant reduction to your quality of life.
Benefits Of Jaw Surgery
The goal of jaw surgery for TMJ is to restore regular jaw function, reduce pain, and increase quality of life. Remediating the physical symptoms of TMJ disorder, such as chronic pain, headaches, jaw locking, and misaligned bite, are the first priority. The benefits may include renewed range of motion and an easier time speaking and chewing. Depending on your unique case, some dentists and surgeons might recommend lengthening the jaw or redefining the chin to improve your bite. Jaw surgery can restore facial symmetry if your TMJ has caused some visual imbalance.
Of course, the biggest benefit is often the improvement of quality of life. Living with less pain may improve mood and relieve TMJ-inspired stress, anxiety and depression. However, it’s worth noting that a pain-free life after surgery isn’t a guarantee.
Risks Of Jaw Surgery
Jaw surgery isn’t without risks. Most risks are rare, and a certified professional can help analyze the risks unique to your circumstances. Like any other operation, there is a small risk of infection around the surgery site. Because a complex circuit of nerves and muscles surround the TMJ, you may experience some facial numbness or tingling for a temporary or extended period of time.
After surgery, the jaw range of motion will be limited, often requiring a commitment to physical therapy, ice and heat therapy, and a soft food diet throughout the healing process. If this post-care is interrupted or not taken seriously, you may not achieve optimal results.
Frey syndrome is another complication that may (rarely) arise from jaw surgery for TMJ. This syndrome causes the individual to sweat abnormally, especially when eating, resulting from a complication during the surgery that affects the parotid glands near the TMJ.
If the surgery is not properly done, you may have persistent pain and sustain some damage to the tissues close to the operation site, which may affect future jaw function. It’s because of these risks that responsible professionals consider surgery a last resort if other treatments have failed.
Types Of Jaw Surgery For TMJ
There are several types of surgical procedures you can undergo for TMJ dysfunction, but we’ll cover four of the most common. Typically, a dentist or TMJ specialist will refer you to an oral maxillofacial surgeon who will conduct the procedure they decide is right for your particular circumstances.
Arthrocentesis
Arthrocentesis is a minimally invasive procedure, often carried out in a hospital with the patient going home on the same day. Because it’s less complicated than other procedures, it may be a first option before exploring more invasive surgery. The doctor will insert a sterile syringe into the TMJ and use it to remove fluid buildup, irrigating the area around the joint. This procedure helps clean out excess byproducts and debris causing inflammation.
Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy is another less invasive jaw surgery for TMJ. It also requires less time for recovery. The surgeon will make little holes in the skin above the temporomandibular joint and insert a cannula, or small tube, into the joint through the hole.
They will then insert an arthroscope (a tool with a camera and lights) into the cannula. Arthroscopic jaw surgery offers surgeons the opportunity to view and further diagnose and treat the joint. It also allows surgeons to perform procedures such as joint reshaping, removing scarred or inflamed tissues, and injecting medication if needed. Essentially, it’s a relatively low-risk way of accessing and cleaning up the joint. Anesthesia is necessary, but you’d go home the same day.
Open Joint Arthroplasty
An open-joint surgery can treat problems involving torn cartilage, joint fusion, or bony growth. Professionals recommend open joint arthroplasty when arthroscopy isn’t a suitable solution. An open joint arthroplasty involves replacing, treating, or repositioning the articular disc with an artificial disc or your tissue. The surgeon will perform the surgery at a hospital with the patient under anesthesia. It may involve a longer recovery process.
Joint Replacement
A joint replacement procedure helps to restore the full function of the jaw. In Joint replacement, the surgeon makes an incision around the ear and removes the TMJ through this incision. The surgeon replaces the ball and socket of the TMJ with an artificial joint made of high-density plastic and titanium. This procedure takes longer than the others, is more invasive, and may require a hospital stay. Your surgeon will take X-rays and CT scans, and the process involves careful pre- and post-examinations.
Both open joint arthroplasty and joint replacement may be used if complications arose from previous arthroscopy and arthrocentesis surgeries.
When Is Jaw Surgery Not Recommended?
Are your TMJ symptoms mild and treatable with exercise and lifestyle changes or nonsurgical therapies? If so, a dentist or specialist may not refer you to a surgeon. It may be safer to keep surgery as a last resort if your symptoms are inconsistent, you have a full range of motion in your jaw, experience TMJ symptoms but have little to no pain, or if you’re unfit for anesthesia.
The Recovery Process
Recovery after jaw surgery will depend on the recommendations of your professional team, but may take two to six weeks. The minimally invasive arthrocentesis and arthroplasty will generally take less time to recover. The success of pen joint and joint replacement surgeries often relies on physical therapy, regular stretching, minimal stress to the joint, and a soft food or liquid diet. Healing from jaw surgery for TMJ requires a great deal of discipline, but the payoff of living with less pain is worth the commitment!
Make sure you speak to a reputable dentist or TMJ specialist about your symptoms. You should only proceed with jaw surgery if you trust the specialist recommending it. You should also thoroughly weigh and feel comfortable with the outcome and risks. Always seek a second opinion if you’re feeling unsure about next steps.
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Disclaimer: This content is meant to be informational and educational only and is not medical advice. This content does not substitute consulting with a medical or dental professional. Living With TMJ makes no claims to diagnose illness or injury. If you have a medical concern, you should consult with your healthcare provider or seek treatment immediately. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking treatment because of something you read in this blog, on this website, or in linked resources.