TMJ is a common condition that people across the United States deal with. This condition causes pain and difficulty moving one’s jaw.
Typically, TMJ symptoms are treatable with self-care, medications, mouth guards, and physical therapy. Sometimes, this is not enough treatment for some people.
There are instances where surgery is needed to treat this condition and provide the patient relief. To decipher whether or not you may need surgery, there are warning signs to look out for.
Continue reading to learn about the five warning signs that mean you need surgery and the best TMJ oral surgeon for you.
1. Consistent Pain
Pain is a very common symptom of TMJ, but the level of intensity differs from person to person.
Some people experience uncomfortable pain, but it is manageable and not a constant issue. Other people have pain that is an everyday issue and unmanageable.
Factors of pain to evaluate for the need of possible surgery:
- Intense, severe pain
- Constant pain
- Medications and multiple treatments do not relieve pain
- How your days are affected because of this pain
Pain is a symptom of TMJ that some people can treat on their own, but if this is not the case for you, surgery may be needed.
2. Inability to Open Jaw
People that have TMJ at times may have trouble with jaw movement. This is common with TMJ, but it is different for each person.
Some people may have days where opening their mouth may be difficult, but can be treatable. Others sadly deal with this constantly, with little help from treatments.
If you are experiencing difficulty with jaw movement and treatments are not helping with mobility, this is another sign you may need surgery.
3. Trouble Eating and Drinking
For people that struggle with the inability to open their jaws, the simple tasks of eating and drinking can be quite difficult.
Whether the cause is due to pain, difficultly opening your jaw, or both, surgery is recommended.
4. Displaced Disc
The dislocation of the disc that is between the skull and lower jaw can occur for two reasons:
- Arthritis
- Clenching of the jaw
This for some people may not cause pain and does not need treatment. People that tend to need surgery develop pain and difficulty opening and closing their jaw from this dislocation.
Experiencing pain and issues from a dislocated disc is an issue that may need to be resolved with surgery.
5. All Other Treatments Are Not Helping
Treatments for TMJ can be as simple as medication, or more demanding such as physical therapy.
Since there are a variety of treatment options, it is important to try every treatment that is available to you, before being considered for surgery.
Some people try as many treatment options as they can and unfortunately do not find much or any relief from their TMJ symptoms. If you are experiencing no relief from treatments, surgery may be best for you.
Finding a TMJ Oral Surgeon
Now that you have learned about the warning signs, you may have figured out that surgery may be necessary for you.
You may be wondering to yourself “How do I go about finding a TMJ surgeon near me?”.
Finding an oral surgeon in Knoxville TN may be overwhelming, as there are many you could choose from.
Why Choose Knoxville OMS?
Knoxville Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery has a wide variety of services that can help you with treating your TMS through surgery.
Along with our many services available, our surgeons and staff are dedicated to helping you with the best care.
TMS Treatment
When treating TMJ, we provide multiple surgical treatment options:
- TMJ arthrocentesis
- TMJ arthroscopy
- Open TMJ arthroplasty
- Total joint replacement
Learning about each surgical treatment will better prepare you for your consultation and help you prepare for the actual procedure. During your consultation, each option will be discussed to decipher which will be the best treatment for your specific TMJ issues. TMJ correction is something our surgeons are able to help you achieve.
Along with our TMJ surgical treatments, we have a wide variety of other services that are provided.
Experienced Surgeons
Our surgeons are experienced in both oral and maxillofacial surgery. They are dedicated and educated in helping give you the results you desire and deserve. You can learn about our fantastic oral surgeons‘ education and what they specialize in.
Location Convenience
We have two locations in Knoxville; West and North. Our surgical centers in both locations are fully equipped with everything needed to give you the best care and treatment that you deserve.
Having two separate locations gives us the opportunity to not only give you exceptional care but get to know you personally to best understand your specific needs and conditions.
Financial Guidance
Being able to afford surgery is something patients typically worry about, as surgical treatments are expensive. Here are Knoxville OMS, we will help you find any eligibility for insurance. CareCredit® is available as well to help with financial costs.
Find Relief Today
TMJ is a condition that affects millions of people across the United States. Many people deal with serve discomfort and symptoms.
This condition can take a toll on one’s well-being, as dealing with serve symptoms can at times be extremely difficult for people.
If you are experiencing the warning signs discussed, schedule a consultation with a TMJ oral surgeon today to take the first step in finding relief from your symptoms.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out and contact us. We are looking forward to helping you in any way that we can.