Procedures of TMJ Treatment

Of all the oral health diseases, TMJ disorder causes the most discomfort. The good news is: it is treatable!

Yes, you can get rid of that deadly joint pain that starts from your jaw and ends nowhere…

A little recap if you are unaware of the areas that are a part of TMJ. These joints are present on both sides of your head and they are located in front of the ears.

This joint allows your jaw to properly open and close and it also helps you in eating and speaking.

Treatment Procedures for TMJ

TMJ surgical procedures are not recommended by doctors right away because there are other treatments available.

If you are exhibiting the symptoms of a TMJ disorder, your doctor will ask you to wait a certain period to see whether the pain goes away on its own.

If, after that period has passed, and you still have pain in your jaw joints your doctors will recommend medication and therapy.

Surgical procedures are often considered a last resort option because they require hours of operation on your jaw. If the other methods fail to relieve your pain, your doctor might recommend a surgical procedure.

There are a plethora of surgical options available that are used for the treatment of TMJ disorders… Let’s discuss some of the popular treatments that your dentist in San Diego offers:

Arthrocentesis

Arthrocentesis is a minimally invasive procedure. It involves the insertion of very small needles into the joint and these needles are then used to irrigate the entire joint with fluid. This irrigation is done to remove any debris or inflammatory byproducts that are present in the jaw and it helps in relieving the pain and pressure on the joints.

Injections

In many cases, corticosteroid injections can be really helpful as they remove the excessive pressure that is being put on the jaw. These injections are administered into the jaw muscles that are responsible for chewing food and they may help in relieving that pain so that you are able to eat and chew peacefully.

TMJ Arthroscopy

In different situations, arthroscopic surgery can be very effective for treating various types of TMJ disorders. In this procedure, a small tube is inserted into the joint space.

After the tube is in place, an arthroscope is then inserted and small surgical instruments are used to perform the surgery.

TMJ arthroscopy has fewer risks and chances of complications involved when compared with other procedures.

A Modified Condylotomy

This procedure is not commonly recommended by a lot of doctors because it does not deal with the TMJ directly. In a Condylotomy, the surgery is performed on the mandible rather than the joint itself. This type of procedure is helpful in relieving the pain and locking that is experienced in the jaw.

Open-joint Surgery

If your jaw pain is not resolved by other contemporary treatments and it is determined that the pain you are experiencing is because of a structural issue, your doctor may recommend an open-joint surgery to repair the joints.

This surgery involves the administration of general anesthesia and has a recovery period of two to six weeks. Open-joint surgery involves more risks than all the other procedural treatments that need to be considered before you make a decision.

These are some of the surgical procedure TMJ treatments available in San Diego…

Contact your dentist in San Diego to book an appointment.