This fits over your top teeth and helps keep your teeth apart. A nightguard helps to stop clenching and grinding your teeth. This in turn reduces muscle tension at night.
Anesthesia:
Local anesthesia to general anesthesia
Expected Downtime:
Varies
Procedure Length:
Varies
# of Treatments Needed:
Varies
Documents:
Kansas City’s TMJ Specialists
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain can be frustrating and debilitating. Many patients come to Facial Surgery Group from specialists who couldn’t help them resolve their TMJ disease. Often, TMJ disorders can be managed with a holistic, non-surgical approach. Our Board Certified Orofacial Pain Specialists can provide a complete evaluation of your TMJ needs.
How TMJ Treatments Work
If surgery is necessary, our board-certified TMJ specialists in Kansas City can provide the full array of TMJ surgeries. However, not every patient needs TMJ surgery. Our initial goal is to relieve the muscle spasms and joint pain. A splint (or nightguard) is the standard of care for initial therapy. Self-management strategies include anti-inflammatory medications, resting your jaw, eating soft foods, applying ice and heat, and stress management techniques.
Your doctor may recommend surgery if both of the following are true: other treatments have not worked, and your jaw pain has become so bad that you can’t live your life normally. There are specific, severe structural problems in your jaw joint.
Types of TMJ Surgical Treatments
Arthrocentesis
Arthrocentesis is an in-office TMJ flush with steroid injections. Though it will not give us any diagnostic information, it is an excellent surgical treatment for mild TMJ pain. It is a 30-minute procedure, with minimal pain managed by Tylenol and Ibuprofen.
Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy is a hospital-based TMJ flush with a steroid injection. A video camera is inserted into the TMJ and the anatomy is visualized. This is an excellent surgical treatment for mild to moderate TMJ pain. It is a 30-minute procedure, with minimal pain managed by Tylenol and Ibuprofen.
Disc Repositioning
Disc repositioning is a hospital-based TMJ surgery for anterior disc displacement. Patients with recent onset (<5 years) TMJ disease with a healthy TMJ disc may have their disc repositioned into the correct alignment. This is a 60-minute procedure, with moderate pain managed by Tylenol, Ibuprofen, and possible prescription medications.
TMJ Replacement
This hospital-based TMJ surgery completely replaces the TMJ. Patients with severe TMJ disease or previous failed TMJ surgery can have their anatomy completely replaced with an alloplastic device. This is similar to a knee and hip replacement. It is a 2-hour procedure, and patients will expect to stay in the hospital for 1-3 days after surgery. Recovery is 4-6 weeks, and physical therapy is required after a minimum of six months.
Facial Surgery Group
Causes of TMJ Disorders
Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) refers to a large number of problems that arise from the jaw joint or the surrounding muscles. Common symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders are clicking and popping of the joint, headaches, facial pain, and/or locking open or closed. TMJ disorders often can be caused by clenching your teeth, grinding, or trauma to the head and neck. There is rarely one specific reason for TMJ pain.
Improve Your Quality of Life
At Facial Surgery Group, our oral and maxillofacial surgeons are highly trained in diagnosing and treating TMJ disorders. With treatments ranging from nonsurgical conservative therapy to minimally invasive surgery to total joint replacements, our TMJ specialist in Kansas City will help to manage your TMJ-related discomfort. When treating the most severe cases of TMJ, Dr. Zachary Brown’s expertise, board certification, and experience ensure premium care and jaw restoration.
Patient Stories
-
I grew up without much dental care. I was embarrassed by my teeth. I guess that somewhere along the lines, I learned to hide my smile. Then I had kids and naturally, their needs came first; music lessons, sports, braces, college. When the last one graduated from college, my husband insisted that it was my turn. My new teeth are beautiful. My husband says it was worth every penny. He says, “Happy Wife, Happy Life”.
- CG
-
I was so afraid to have my tooth pulled that I didn’t sleep the night before. Everybody there was so nice and made me feel so comfortable that it was a piece of cake. I don’t know how to thank you enough.
- GM
-
I recently got my third implant over the last ten years from the Facial Surgery Group. Once again, all the staff I interacted with were professional, friendly and skilled at their jobs. I highly recommend them.
- ACR
-
I grew up without much dental care. I was embarrassed by my teeth. I guess that somewhere along the lines, I learned to hide my smile. Then I had kids and naturally, their needs came first; music lessons, sports, braces, college. When the last one graduated from college, my husband insisted that it was my turn. My new teeth are beautiful. My husband says it was worth every penny. He says, “Happy Wife, Happy Life”.
- CG
-
I was so afraid to have my tooth pulled that I didn’t sleep the night before. Everybody there was so nice and made me feel so comfortable that it was a piece of cake. I don’t know how to thank you enough.
- GM
-
I recently got my third implant over the last ten years from the Facial Surgery Group. Once again, all the staff I interacted with were professional, friendly and skilled at their jobs. I highly recommend them.
- ACR
-
I grew up without much dental care. I was embarrassed by my teeth. I guess that somewhere along the lines, I learned to hide my smile. Then I had kids and naturally, their needs came first; music lessons, sports, braces, college. When the last one graduated from college, my husband insisted that it was my turn. My new teeth are beautiful. My husband says it was worth every penny. He says, “Happy Wife, Happy Life”.
- CG
-
I was so afraid to have my tooth pulled that I didn’t sleep the night before. Everybody there was so nice and made me feel so comfortable that it was a piece of cake. I don’t know how to thank you enough.
- GM
-
I recently got my third implant over the last ten years from the Facial Surgery Group. Once again, all the staff I interacted with were professional, friendly and skilled at their jobs. I highly recommend them.
- ACR
-
I grew up without much dental care. I was embarrassed by my teeth. I guess that somewhere along the lines, I learned to hide my smile. Then I had kids and naturally, their needs came first; music lessons, sports, braces, college. When the last one graduated from college, my husband insisted that it was my turn. My new teeth are beautiful. My husband says it was worth every penny. He says, “Happy Wife, Happy Life”.
- CG
-
I was so afraid to have my tooth pulled that I didn’t sleep the night before. Everybody there was so nice and made me feel so comfortable that it was a piece of cake. I don’t know how to thank you enough.
- GM
-
I recently got my third implant over the last ten years from the Facial Surgery Group. Once again, all the staff I interacted with were professional, friendly and skilled at their jobs. I highly recommend them.
- ACR
-
I grew up without much dental care. I was embarrassed by my teeth. I guess that somewhere along the lines, I learned to hide my smile. Then I had kids and naturally, their needs came first; music lessons, sports, braces, college. When the last one graduated from college, my husband insisted that it was my turn. My new teeth are beautiful. My husband says it was worth every penny. He says, “Happy Wife, Happy Life”.
- CG
-
I was so afraid to have my tooth pulled that I didn’t sleep the night before. Everybody there was so nice and made me feel so comfortable that it was a piece of cake. I don’t know how to thank you enough.
- GM
-
I recently got my third implant over the last ten years from the Facial Surgery Group. Once again, all the staff I interacted with were professional, friendly and skilled at their jobs. I highly recommend them.
- ACR
Experience Exceptional Oral Health Care
Request an appointment at one of our locations in the Kansas City area to meet with an expert oral surgeon!
Frequently Asked Questions About TMJ Treatments
If you experience symptoms of TMD, then it may be a good idea to visit a TMJ specialist in Kansas City. Symptoms to watch out for include:
- Grinding and clenching of teeth
- Locking of the jaw
- Clicking or popping of the jaw
- Aching pains around or in the ear
- Pain or tenderness in the jaw
- Difficulty chewing
- Facial pain
- Ringing or aching pain in the ears
- Headaches or dizziness
- Stress causing tension in the jaw and facial muscles
- Damaged cartilage due to arthritis
- Trauma to jaw
- Erosion of shock-absorbing discs located in the jaw
