What Are The Different Surgical Procedures Related To TMJ?

July 21, 2022 by Salt Lake Dental
tmj surgery

If you have a TMJ condition that has not responded well to therapy. In that case, you may be considering whether or not you should undergo surgery on your TMJ. Because TMJ experts like Dr. Tyson Carter have access to a wider variety of treatments than most dentists, we can serve patients better.TMJ surgery is usually only necessary in extreme cases. However, it sometimes becomes necessary. The information that you need is detailed below.

Surgical Procedures for the TMJ

When we speak about TMJ surgery, we are not referring to a specific technique but rather a category of procedures. TMJ surgery, on the other hand, may refer to several distinct operations that are all performed on the jaw joint. Some outpatient treatments require just a tiny amount of incision, while others are carried out in hospitals. The following are the many forms of TMJ surgery:

Arthrocentesis

In this outpatient technique, lubricating fluid is injected directly into the temporomandibular joints to lessen the amount of friction. It is a minimally invasive operation. There will be no cuts made throughout this procedure.

Arthroscopy

Although more intrusive than arthrocentesis, arthroscopy is nevertheless regarded as minimally invasive surgery. After examining the joint using a scope, the surgeon may choose to smooth the bone, relocate the disc, or remove scar tissue, depending on the patient’s requirements.

Arthrotomy vs. Arthroplasty: Which Is Better?

This procedure, conducted in a hospital environment, is an open-joint surgery utilized to correct structural issues in either one of the temporomandibular joints. Following the creation of an incision, your physician may undertake disc surgery or arthroplasty, both of which require the excision of growths and adhesions that have formed in the jaw.

Joint Replacement

Patients suffering from severe TMJ dysfunction and not reacting well to previous therapy may be candidates for joint replacement surgery as a last option. During this surgery, the whole joint or some components will be replaced.

Other Treatment Options Than TMJ Surgery

TMJ experts adhere to the recommendations made by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which state that non-invasive, reversible therapies are preferable to surgical procedures. Surgery on the jaw joint, known as the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), is not without its hazards. Many people with this procedure end up feeling worse after it, with permanent nerve damage and continuous discomfort.

We know that the TMJ issue may have various reasons; thus, therapy must be individualized based on the primary reason you suffer from TMD. Your immediate discomfort is our number one concern, and we will do all in our power to alleviate it as soon as possible by utilizing one or more of the following approaches:

  • Spraying and Stretching, and Injecting Into Trigger Points
  • Packet, Heat, and Cold
  • The TENS Method
  • Instruments for Alleviating Pain
  • Anti-Inflammatory Medication
  • Medication for the Relaxation of Muscles

You can visit our Salt Lake City Dental in Salt Lake City, UT for the best TMJ-related treatment in a nearby location.