types of tmj surgery

imogene · Newbie Joined: 10 Jun 2005 Posts: 14

I‘ve been recommended to do TMJ surgery. I have this particular disorder and conservative medical options have failed. I am suffering from headaches, earaches, popping sounds in the jaw, and various other types of facial discomfort. I want to know what types of TMJ surgeries are there.

tresa · Silver Member Joined: 25 Jan 2002 Posts: 302

I think there are three types of TMJ surgeries: Arthroscopic surgery is performed using a small camera and instruments; open joint procedure which involves approaching the temporomandibular joint through an incision in a skin crease in front of the ear and reserved for those severe and chronic conditions that haven't responded to other surgical methods, total joint replacement. This involves removing the deformed or degenerated joint and replacing it with a custom-designed TMJ prosthesis made specifically for each patient.

Guest · Guest

I had surgery for tmj joints as well as upper and lower osteotomy le forte in December of 2005. I had unbearable pain in my joints as well as chronic headaches and an array of other complaints. I had braces on at the time and my teeth were banded together for 5 1/2 months. Now, my situation is much worse. It seems that the scar tissue in my tmj joints has grown around those joints (or something like it) and I am unable to open my mouth more than an inch or so. I am literally starving to death and my prognosis seems very hopeless. I don't know if there is a medical negligance issue here but it sure appears that someone didn't do something right. Have you ever heard of such a thing? I did not have full joint replacement but I think that may be my only hope. Of course getting a insurance company to see it that way is another story.

Guest · Guest

I have been suffering from TMD for 14 years now. I have been through all the non-invasive treatment from having 12 different bite splints/night guards, physical therapy for years, soft diet, muscle relaxers, anti-inflammatory drugs, pain meds and so forth. I have seen about a dozen different doctors. I have also had 2 arthroscopic surgeries to recover an anterior displaced disc which, because of scar tissue, was unable to be captured back into place. Last year I had an MRI that showed an obliterated meniscus still displaced. I recently had an x-ray that showed I no longer had a condyl head and it was just flat as a pancake. Now, my left tmj is starting to completely come out of joint when I open my mouth, this worries me. it is pushing in to my ear and causing me hearing loss, and pressure build up in my ear that cannot be relieved. I am told by my doctor that there is nothing that can be done about it and just live with it. I know that there are risks involving invasive surgery but am unsure what avenue I should take

Guest · Guest

I had TMJ surgery 7 months ago. I can open my mouth fine and feel no pain, But once i came out of the operation my face was lop sided looking like i had a stroke. But this has left me with a droopy eye and unable to blink which i am told is irreversable, i just wish i had been made aware of all the other remedies that could of probably helped. Please try every other alternative therapy available, and only have this operation as a last resort

types of tmj surgery

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