“Is surgery the only option for treating TMJ?”
I am a 31 year old male. I have TMJ issues that interfere with my every day life. Is surgery the only option for treating TMJ?
11 Answers
Hendrik B. Lai
Dentist
Surgery is an option for the treatment of TMJ disorder. It would usually be the option of last resort.
Other conservative treatment modalities include an occlusal splint, occlusal adjustment, adjunctive physical therapy or low intensity laser therapy
Other conservative treatment modalities include an occlusal splint, occlusal adjustment, adjunctive physical therapy or low intensity laser therapy
Absolutely not. Surgery is the last option after other means have not helped. Surgery may not fix your tmj problem. Wearing a special made nightnguard for your top and bottom teeth may be your best option.
No, it is not. There are other choices for treating TMJ different than surgery.
No, not at all, unless you have some growth or pathology inside the joint. First, have your bite (occlusion) checked! Very likely, you have some premature contacts on some teeth and that makes you clench your teeth. Clenching leads to a spasm of the masseter (the big muscles that we use when we chew food), and that spasm can damage the the joins. Second, have a scan on both joints and see a good orthopedic surgeon to evaluate it. At your age, the first option is to be considered now, but later, if you continue clenching, you might not have the first option anymore.
Wishing you the best, and please, have your occlusion evaluated ASAP!
Wishing you the best, and please, have your occlusion evaluated ASAP!
Absolutely not! There are multiple nonsurgical approaches to treat TMJ issues from many mandibular advancement and bite opening appliances. Also, braces are an option to advance the lower jaw and open the bite.
Thank you for your question. Surgery is not the only option. There are occlusal guards, bite splints, even Botox injections. Bite splints can reposition the jaw into a more favorable position, and Botox injections can help with muscle tension relief in that area. These can alleviate some TMJ disorder symptoms. I would definitely recommend seeing a TMJ specialist for non-invasive treatment options before deciding on surgery.
Surgery is rarely an option depending upon severity, degree of disk degeneration, and a host of other factors. Go to Columbia TMJ clinic in Manhattan for an evaluation and recommended options.
No. Surgery of TMJ is usually a last resort. There are many therapies that should be true first. I suggest you see a TMJ specialist
Rich
Rich
Surgery is often a treatment of last resort. First line treatments will usually include bite splints (also called occlusal guards, night guards, occlusal splints) with or without medications. Additionally, a bite adjustment may be needed meaning that the way your teeth fit together is slightly altered. This is done to relieve some of the muscle tension associated with TMJ.
I have been successfully treating TMJ patients for many years.
Keep smiling,
David M. Kaffey, DDS
I have been successfully treating TMJ patients for many years.
Keep smiling,
David M. Kaffey, DDS
Surgery for TMJ or more correctly TMD (temporo-mandibular -disfunction) should be the last choice of treatment options. Unfortunately surgery has only a 50% success rate. All other non surgical options should be explored and optimal choices attempted. Physical therapy, splint therapies. One minimally invasive surgery option that has had some sucess is arthroscopy. Originally designed as a investigative option to see what the problem may be. Some surgeons report improvement in patients following just this procedure.
Surgery is never an option for TMJ. Most TMJ can be treated by a well made night gaurd made by your dentist. Start with an oral appliance first, then injections of botox into the muscle along with some Neurantin medication for sever cases
