How Serious Is TMJ Surgery? Can You Talk After Jaw Surgery?

On either side of your jaw, there is a joint known as the temporomandibular joint. The name can be a mouthful, but the joint plays a crucial role in the human body. The joint helps you move the jaw from side to side, up and down; that’s why when it’s out of whack, you will have difficulty chewing, talking, yawning, laughing, etc.

So, if you notice that you are having trouble chewing and feel pain at the side of the jaw or in your ear, it might be time to seek TMJ treatment. TMJ treatment varies from patient to patient because the severity of the problem differs.

Others experience mild symptoms that go away in a few days, while others have chronic TMJ, and the symptoms never seem to varnish. In this case, TMJ surgery seems to be the best way to go.

When Do You Require TMJ Treatment for Your Jawbone?

We have many solutions that can help you get your jaw working as it should. We can give you pain relievers to help deal with the pain. At times, muscle relaxers can do the trick, and you will be back to business as usual. On certain occasions, steroid injections seem to work. Our dentist may also decide to prescribe oral splints or even physical therapy to help with TMJ symptoms.

In other cases, the treatments mentioned above seem never to work. So, jawbone surgery appears to be the best possible solution. In other words, when you realize that the symptoms are disrupting your well-being, irrespective of receiving treatment, you need to discuss with your dentist about surgery.

Another reason for jaw surgery is if our dentist identifies the root cause of the temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) as misaligned jaws. The only way that misaligned jaws can be aligned is by undergoing surgery.

In any case, here are the reasons our dentist may recommend that you undergo surgery:

• Intense pain that cannot be eased using any painkillers
• TMJ locking inhibits you from opening or closing your mouth
• Extreme difficulty drinking or eating because of immobility or pain
• TMJ destruction because of trauma such as facial injuries or accidents
• Facial deformities that inhibit the correct development of the TMJs, such as Goldenhar syndrome
• TMJ destruction because of diseases such as tumors, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis

Types of Jaw Surgery for TMJ

The most commonly performed TMJ surgeries include:

Arthroscopic Jaw Surgery

It is a minimally invasive surgery that is performed on a single day. Our dentist in Waterford Township, Michigan will perform the procedure under general anesthesia. During surgery, two small incisions are made in the skin in front of the ear. A cannula (a narrow port) is inserted through the skin and into the joint, where our dentist can inspect it via an arthroscope or tiny camera. The cannula has medications that deliver pain relief and decrease inflammation of the TMJ.

Our dentist will use the cannula to examine the TMJ, understand the causes of dysfunction and pain, remove the inflamed tissue and boost healing using TMJ medications.

Arthroplasty Jaw Surgery

Arthroplasty or complete jaw joint replacement is a moderately invasive procedure that replaces the ball and socket of the TMJ with a new customized artificial TMJ crafted using titanium and high-density plastic.

The jawbone surgery process may include the removal of excess tissue, bone growths, or diseased bone. The defective TMJ will also be removed, and the artificial TMJ will be inserted.

After Jawbone Surgery

It takes about six to eight weeks for the initial healing of your jaw. You can wait up to 12 weeks for your bone to fully heal.

Therefore, after your surgery, try to avoid strenuous activities. Bending, driving, or lifting may dislodge the clot and cause you to bleed. So, gradually progress the intensity of your movement, limiting how you talk, eat and drink for the first day after your oral surgery.

What is the recovery period for arthrocentesis TMJ surgery?

The recovery time for arthrocentesis, a minimally invasive surgical procedure aimed at treating TMJ, is typically brief, requiring only one to two days for recovery.

Where can TMJ surgeries be performed, and what type of anesthesia is typically used?

TMJ surgeries can be conducted in various settings depending on the type of procedure. TMJ arthrocentesis is normally performed either in an oral and maxillofacial surgeon’s office or at an outpatient surgical center and typically involves either local anesthesia or intravenous sedation. Arthroscopic surgery for TMJ can also be carried out in these locations, with IV sedation generally required. For more involved procedures like TMJ arthroplasty, a local hospital is preferred due to the need for general anesthesia. Additionally, some TMJ arthroplasty procedures may necessitate an overnight hospital stay.

What Will Happen If Jaw Bone Pain Is Left Untreated?

When you notice that your TMJ has issues, don’t hesitate before receiving treatment. This is because the following complications might occur:

• Chronic jaw pain and joint damage
• Severe headaches
• Compromised oral health
• Hearing problems

If you need to learn more about TMJ treatment in Waterford, contact us at The Waterford Dentist.