It’s estimated that as many as one in ten US adults has suffered from the painful, inconvenient symptoms of TMJ disorders, though the cause of these symptoms varies. Most commonly, TMJ disorders develop because of excessive or imbalanced stress on the TMJ joint. This stress occurs during chronic, habitual teeth grinding and jaw clenching, and it can also develop from an imbalance in the bite. In cases like these, when the underlying issue or imbalance is addressed, the symptoms of TMJ abate. For example, when bruxism – chronic clenching and grinding, which often happens while sleeping – is the root cause of TMJ, sleeping with a mouth guard protects the jaws from excess pressure and cushions the teeth to prevent the jaw from locking. Similarly, corrective orthodontic treatments can often solve the symptoms caused by malocclusion as they realign the teeth and relieve the jaw. TMJ disorders can also develop because of trauma or injury to the jaw, or because of arthritis in the jaw joint.

When non-invasive treatments like over-the-counter medications, mouth guards, or orthodontia don’t sufficiently relieve the painful symptoms of TMJ, which can happen especially when there is an underlying structural issue causing pain, surgery is considered. A minimally invasive surgery like arthrocentesis uses hypodermic needles to inject fluid into the joint, flushing out cytokines, scar tissue, and metabolic byproducts, and reducing pressure in the jaw. Arthrocentesis, commonly called aspiration, can be performed with few risks and minimal cons, other than cost, and is effective in around 80% of cases. Arthroscopic surgery is only slightly more invasive, using one or two small holes in the skin, above the jaw, to host a narrow tube that illuminates the surgical area and accommodates tiny surgical tools. Arthroscopic surgeries allow oral surgeons to reshape the bones in the joint, remove scar tissue, inject medications, relieve pain and inflammation, and they are considerably less invasive than open joint surgeries. Such surgeries involve larger incisions over the jaws, allowing oral surgeons to work on larger and more complicated damaged areas, like complete disc replacement or complex bone reshaping.

Like any medical treatment, TMJ surgery comes with its own pros and cons. Of course, the clearest pro is the success rate of TMJ surgeries, which can make a world of difference in the quality of life and comfort for patients who chronically suffer from TMJ. Corrective surgeries can restore basic abilities that many of us take for granted, like speaking, eating, and even breathing. These procedures can also treat chronic pain and headaches while addressing other concerns like sleep apnea. Because TMJ surgeries can repair underlying issues that affect health in comprehensive ways, they may be covered, at least in part, by medical insurance providers, though they are less likely to be covered by dental insurance.

Simple procedures like jaw joint aspiration are a relatively risk-free way to eliminate the uncomfortable symptoms of TMJ disorders, with high success rates and a comparatively low cost. More complex procedures, however, can add up in terms of both money and time. Open joint surgeries and total joint replacements can cost as much as $50,000 and require a few nights in the hospital, and some of these surgeries can take several weeks to recover from. This can mean taking a week or more off from school or work. During the recovery period, careful adherence to aftercare recommendations is integral to the overall success of treatment. This may include significant lifestyle changes, like avoiding tobacco and drastically altering the diet, which can be challenging habits to change but which make a world of difference for recovery. Talk to your dentist if you feel ready to make a few brief sacrifices for a future free from the stresses of your chronic TMJ disorders.

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