TMJ, or the Temporomandibular Joint, is the jaw joint. Sometimes you might experience a persisting pain near your ears and the muscles on either side of your face, accompanied by reduced movement and a clicking sound every time you open or close your mouth. The patient is then suffering from TMD, i.e., Temporomandibular Disorder, which is a dysfunction of the jaw joint and the muscles surrounding it.
In extreme cases, when other treatments like radio wave therapy or low-level laser therapy fail to give you comfort from lock-jaw, your dentist may suggest surgery.
Arthrocentesis
It is performed with an arthroscope that is a special tool with a lens and light on it. After general anesthesia, the instrument is inserted through a small cut in front of your ear. The inflamed tissue is removed, and the disc is realigned.
Open-Joint Surgery
In this surgery, general anesthesia is given, and the area around the joint is opened up for better access. This surgery is performed if you have tumors in or around the TMJ if your joint is somehow damaged, or if the bone structure in your joint is breaking down. In such cases, arthroscopy cannot be inserted, so open-joint surgery is the only option.
Please reach out to our Premier Arts Dental in Freehold, NJ, to have a consultation with our dentist, Dr. Shah. Please call us at (732) 702-2787 or schedule an online consultation, and we'll guide you further.