Jaw pain can be more than just a nuisance. Over time, the pain may become debilitating. It can even make simple tasks, such as speaking and eating, more difficult. Jaw pain is known in the dental world as a TMJ disorder. TMJ is short for temporomandibular joint, which it the joint that aligns the jaw to the skull. Most of the time TMJ pain is caused by muscle spasms and tension; however, more severe cases may indicate a problem with the actual joint. For these patients, the best option for eliminating pain may be oral surgery in Queens NY.
Surgery is only justified after all conservative methods of treatment have been exhausted. The dentist will ask the patient to use both ice and heat on the jaw, in hopes of reducing pain. Over-the-counter pain relievers may also be recommended. Some patients even find relief with massage therapy or jaw exercises. However, conservative treatments only work in minor cases. If the dentist determines the temporomandibular joint is damaged, surgery may be the only option.
During surgery, the doctor will try to salvage the damaged jaw joint. Shaving and reshaping the ball-and-socket joint may reduce strain. If the cartilage disc that cushions the jaw is dislodged, the surgeon will work on moving it back into place. This disc often becomes torn when the jaw doesn’t line up properly. This can lead to the jaw locking or clicking. In extreme cases, a total jaw replacement may be necessary.
Most patients who undergo oral surgery in Queens NY find relief from their TMJ pain. The recovery period depends on the type of surgery needed. For those who have minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery, the healing time may only take a few weeks. Those who need open jaw surgery may take several months to fully recover. Most surgeries, however, are successful, leaving patients with a fully functioning jaw joint, with no pain.
It is important to remember that many cases of TMJ pain do not need to be treated with surgery. For those that do, however, it is best to Visit Steinway Family Dental Center for a full consultation. Your dentist can help determine the cause of your TMJ disorder and provide their best advice on how to treat the pain.
