Although TMJ disorder is not often discussed, it is quite a common disorder among both women and men. TMJ involves the temporomandibular joint which is the joint connecting hinge mechanism between the base of the skull (temporal bone) and the lower jaw (mandible). Patient with TMJ disorder have difficulty opening their mouth completely because such a motion is extremely painful for them.
TMJ disorder can cause headaches, earaches, popping sounds in the jaw and other types of facial discomfort. Surgery is recommended only when a precise cause of the particular disorder has been identified and conservative medical options have failed.
There are three types of TMJ surgery that people suffering form this condition can seek to reduce the joint pain in their mouths. Arthroscopic surgery is a form of treatment using a small arthroscope (camera) and instruments. Disk displacement and joint adhesions can be treated using this method. Another option is arthoplasty which involves accessing the temporomandibular joint through an incision in a skin crease in front of the ear. This open joint procedure is most commonly used to repair the disk or strengthen a hypermobile (loose) joint.
People plagued by extremely severe jaw pain might need the third type of treatment which is total joint replacement. This treatment is only recommended for those whose condition has not gotten better after other surgical methods. Only the most severe and chronic conditions should be treated this way.
In such a procedure, the deformed or degenerated joint is removed and replaced with a TMJ prosthesis custom-designed for each patient. For those suffering from severe TMJ these procedures can cause much improved lifestyle and positive changes,
Emory oral surgeons are among the small number of surgeons in Georgia with experience in this procedure. Specifically, Dr. Bouloux of Emory is a surgeon that focuses mainly on jaw disorders and treatment. His areas of specialty include pathophysiology and surgical management of temporomandibular joint pain and dysfunction, surgical management of mandibular fractures with particular emphasis on the use of small bone plates, and pathophysiology and management of bisphosphonate related osteonecrosis of the jaws. If you are living with TMJ you should know that treatment and surgery exist and can vastly improve your condition.