TMJ Disorder
Cleveland oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Faisal Quereshy recommends TMJ treatment to patients who suffer from TMJ or TMD disorder, or conditions that causes pain in the head, face, neck and jaw due to problems with the temporomandibular joints that affect jaw nerves and muscles.
TMJ Symptoms
Temporomandibular joints are located on each side of your face, in front of your ears where the upper and lower jaw bones meet. These joints are involved in most movements of your mouth, including smiling, talking, laughing, yawning and chewing, so the pain caused by TMJ disorder can dramatically impact your life.
In some patients, TMJ disorder is caused by joint inflammation and damage due to arthritis, while in others, trauma, disc erosion or misalignment or habitual teeth grinding or clenching may be the cause of TMJ disorder. But no matter what caused your TMJ condition, symptoms for most TMJ patients are the same and include:
- Jaw pain and tenderness
- Jaw joint locking
- Painful or painful jaw movement
- Teeth sensitivity and ear ache
- Facial aching
- Headache or migraines
- Uneven or uncomfortable bite
TMJ Treatment
Many conservative, non-surgical TMJ treatments exist, such as orthodontic correction with dental implants or orthognathic surgery, and appliance therapy, and Dr. Quereshy will exhaust these and other treatment options before recommending surgery for TMJ.
Surgical TMJ treatment is performed under general anesthesia and typically involves one of the following three procedures:
- Arthrocentesis (injections)
- Arthroscopy
- Open-joint surgery
Arthrocentesis is a minor procedure wherein needles are inserted into the jaw joint area, and sterile fluid is injected to cleanse the joint.
Arthroscopy is an endoscopic TMJ treatment Dr. Quereshy may use to treat inflammation, reposition the disc and remove jaw joint adhesions. Incisions are located at the temples, in front of your ears.
Open-joint surgery to sculpt the jaw joint area is generally performed when chipped bone, bone deterioration, tumors or scarring must be addressed to correct TMJ conditions.
Can I have Botox as a treatment for TMJ?
TMJ treatment with Botox injections is becoming increasingly popular. Although this treatment does not work for everyone, Botox has been shown to temporarily relax jaw muscles to alleviate pain and reduce clenching, grinding, and tension that may contribute to TMJ disorder. Botox is FDA-approved for treatment of migraine headaches, which can be a symptom of TMJ disorder.
The Visage Surgical Institute is located in Medina, Ohio and serves local patients seeking TMJ treatment, as well as those from the greater Cleveland and Akron metro areas. For more information about TMJ disorders and treatment, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Quereshy, please call (330) 721-2323.
