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Do your jaw joints pop or click? Do you have difficulty opening or closing your mouth? Does your jawbone ache in the morning, leading to other nagging symptoms such as toothaches, earaches, neck aches, or headaches? You may have a disorder commonly referred to as TMD, an abbreviation for temporomandibular joint disorder. This condition affects the area that joins your jawbone to your skull. As a dual-degreed oral & maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Chris Tye can help you determine if oral surgery treatment might be the right choice to ease your TMJ discomfort. Schedule an appointment at our welcoming office serving patients from Hurst, TX and the surrounding communities. How Can Oral Surgery Help Patients With TMD? Some patients who have been diagnosed with TMD find relief from non-surgical treatments including occlusal adjustments and oral appliances. However, when those treatments do not provide relief from the pain and other symptoms of TMD, oral surgery may be the better option. Oral surgery allows Dr. Tye to gain access to the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bone in and around the jawbone joint. Using special dental equipment, he can take appropriate measures to help the jawbone fit more precisely. He can also remove any damaged soft or hard tissue, lessening the likelihood of future problems. What Types of TMD Oral Surgeries Are Available for Hurst, TX Patients? If you are diagnosed with TMD and non-surgical treatments do not produce optimal outcomes, Dr. Tye may recommend one of the following types of oral surgery procedures: Arthroscopy. You may have heard of arthroscopy in terms of individuals with knee issues and conditions. TMJ-related arthroscopy uses the same principles. Arthroscopy gives Dr. Tye access to the jawbone joint without requiring a long incision or trauma to the surrounding area. Using a scope, Dr. Tye can examine the jaw joint, removing any damaged tissues and realigning the joint fit if needed. Typically, arthroscopy takes place under local anesthesia. Patients typically can resume regular activity after about 48 hours. Arthroplasty. If Dr. Tye feels he needs more open access to the jawbone joint, he will perform arthroplasty. Arthroplasty involves a larger incision than arthroscopy, enabling Dr. Tye to make more complex repairs and replacements as needed. Because arthroplasty is more invasive than arthroscopy, patients usually need at least a week and sometimes longer to fully recover. Total Joint Replacement. If your jawbone joint is deteriorated or damaged beyond repair, you may require a total joint replacement. Total joint replacement oral surgery involves hospitalization and an extensive recovery period. However, it can provide a permanent resolution of TMD. Does Oral Surgery for TMD Work? Studies show that all types of appropriate oral surgery--arthroscopy, arthroplasty, and total joint replacement--produce long-term results. The key factor is working with an oral & maxillofacial surgeon who can properly diagnose your TMD and then give you personalized treatment recommendations. Already received word that you should consider oral surgery to relieve your TMD pain? Dr. Tye would be happy to provide a second opinion to help you feel more comfortable with the decision to move forward with any type of TMD treatment. Appointments Available for TMD Patients Whether you know you have TMD, or you think you might have this disorder, please contact us at (817) 552-3223. Dr. Tye can examine your situation, talk to you about your symptoms, and give you a professional opinion. You do not have to live with TMD discomfort! Let Dr. Tye help you explore your TMD treatment options, including oral surgery.
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