Corrective jaw surgery is the best option to fix temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder when simpler options such as mouth guards and oral splints fail. Below, we explore the ins and outs of corrective jaw surgery.
What Is Corrective Jaw Surgery
Corrective jaw surgery, also known as orthognathic surgery, is any procedure aimed at correcting dental or jaw misalignments. This procedure is usually conducted by specialist dentists who use surgical plates, wires, screws, and templates to manipulate and align the teeth, jawbones, and underlying soft tissue. According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), some conditions that warrant corrective jaw surgery include issues with the temporomandibular joints, protruding jaws, open bites, some facial injuries, and sleep apnea. These conditions can cause pain and discomfort when chewing and swallowing food, speaking, and sleeping and can lead to severe headaches if left untreated for an extended period.
What are Temporomandibular Joints
Temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are the bilateral hinges that attach the lower jaw to the base of the skull. Bilateral means that these hinges facilitate both up and down movement as well as lateral sliding. There are two TMJs, one on each side of the mouth. TMJs are guided and supported by numerous cranial muscles to help guide the bite and coordinate many other jaw movements. TMJ disorders can cause stiffness in the TMJ hinge mechanism, limiting movement and causing pain during jaw movements. Since different muscles are involved in the control of TMJ joints, pain may be experienced in various parts of the face. TMJ disorders can interfere with eating, speaking, and other functions that involve jaw movement.
How Corrective Jaw Surgery Corrects TMJ
Various types of surgeries are available to treat TMJ disorders, depending on the underlying cause of the TMJ disorder. In many cases, a surgeon may inject a special fluid into the joint to help alleviate stiffness and restore flexibility. If this is not effective, the surgeon can perform a scar tissue removal surgery to eliminate scar tissue that may inhibit proper joint movement. At other times, the surgeon may grind and reshape the joint to reduce friction and enhance movement.
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Corrective jaw surgery is the best option to fix temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder when simpler options such as mouth guards and oral splints fail. Below, we explore the ins and outs of corrective jaw surgery.