Can Surgery Fix TMJ Disorders?
by Dr. Scott Bolding
Table of Contents
01. Why Should I Consider TMJ Surgery?
02. When is TMJ Surgery Necessary?
03. How Do I Know I Need TMJ Surgery?
Can surgery fix TMJ disorders?
Dealing with TMJ pain can be frustrating. It can be even more frustrating when you can’t find a solution that works. Most TMJ disorders can be resolved with conservative, non-surgical treatment options. Simply resting the joint, using ice/heat therapy, and taking pain medication typically does the trick. However, these things don’t work for everyone. If these more conservative options aren’t working for you, it may be time to consider whether or not surgery can solve your TMJ problems.
In this article, we’ll take a look at how TMJ surgery can help you find relief and whether it’s worth considering for your situation.
Sometimes TMJ Surgery Can Help
Knowing the anatomy of the jaw joint helps us understand why we should consider TMJ surgery for some patients. The jaw joint is similar to the other joints in your body. Like other joints, the TMJ has two bones joined together that make it possible for your jaw to move. Inside the joint, ligaments hold everything in place. Tendons and cartilage also play an important role in how the joint functions. One of the most important parts of the jaw joint is the synovial disc. This disc contains fluid that lubricates and provides nutrients for the joint. The synovial disc is crucial in keeping your TMJ moving well.
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If the disc is damaged or displaced in any way, the joint won’t get the synovial fluid it needs. This can result in damage and pain in your jaw joint.
Treating the TMJ Like Other Joints
When we treat TMJ disorders, we need to keep anatomy in mind. It’s helpful to find a doctor or dentist who takes an orthopedic approach to TMJ disorders. This means they treat the TMJ like they would treat the knee or hip. They consider the anatomy and examine everything carefully before going ahead with treatment.
And they know that, sometimes, your joint needs surgery.
Not every knee injury needs surgery, but sometimes, that’s the only option. If you tore your ACL, for example, almost every doctor would tell you that you need surgery. A knee brace is going to do very little to help you in that situation. And in the same way, there are situations where more conservative therapies won’t help you with your jaw joint pain because something needs to be fixed internally. In those cases, you will need surgery.
When Can Surgery Fix TMJ Disorders?
So, how do you know when TMJ surgery is necessary? As we’ve already stated, you should probably start considering TMJ surgery when other treatment options haven’t worked.
TMJ surgery is necessary when there are issues with your disc. You may need surgery in order to repair, reposition, or even replace the disc. Other times, surgery may be necessary to simply flush out the joint.
In some situations, surgery is the only option from the start. In other situations, surgery is necessary because the jaw joint hasn’t been cared for properly. One of the most common situations we see is patients who come in and their joint has so much damage simply because they didn’t get it treated earlier. Non-surgical treatments are most effective early on. So if your jaw joint is injured or you notice pain, you need to start treating it early in order to avoid surgery.
What Types of TMJ Surgery Are Available?
There are several different types of TMJ surgery. The right one for you will depend on your diagnosis. The most common options include:
- Arthroscopy: This procedure involves inserting a small tube into the joint through a small cut. From there, your surgeon can use a camera to look at the joint and even operate on the joint directly.
- Arthrocentesis: The most minimally invasive procedure, arthrocentesis involves using needles to flush the joint with a saline solution.
- Open joint surgery: Open joint surgery is the most invasive type of TMJ surgery. An incision is made in front of your ear, allowing the surgeon to operate on your joint. They can repair, replace, or reposition the disc.
How Do I Know If I Need TMJ Surgery?
The best way to determine whether or not surgery will solve your TMJ issues is to get a thorough diagnosis from a doctor or dentist who is familiar with how the jaw joint functions. By performing a physical exam and getting images of the joint, they will be able to find the root cause of your pain. Determining the root cause will make it easier for them to help you decide whether or not you should move forward with surgery.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor/Dentist
- What type of surgery would you recommend and why?
- If surgery isn’t right for me, what are my other options?
- Is physical therapy an option?
- What are the potential risks of surgery?
You Don’t Have to Make This Decision Alone
Moving forward with TMJ surgery is a big decision. But if you’re not seeing results with non-surgical treatments, it may be time to consider whether surgery can solve your TMJ disorder. In certain situations, surgery may be the only way for you to find long-term relief. Of course, this decision needs to be made with the help of someone who has a deep understanding of how the jaw joint works. Our TMJ team at PRECiDENT would be more than happy to meet with you and discuss your options.