Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein. You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Get the Compare Your Your Quiz Your Summary The jaw joint, or TM joint, connects the lower jawbone to the skull. TMDs cause symptoms such as: Most cases of TMD are mild. Out of 100 people who have it, 85 to 90 get better without surgery.footnote 1 This means that 10 to 15 out of 100 people don't get better without surgery. In arthroscopic surgery, the doctor inserts tiny surgical tools and a camera into a few small cuts in your jaw. It is the type of surgery most often used for TMDs. It is used to: In open-joint surgery, the doctor makes a large cut or incision that exposes the joint. It is used when: Surgery is rarely used to treat TMDs. Your doctor may recommend surgery if both of the following are true: Compare What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. Although I have severe symptoms, they are new. I am treating this TMD by eating pureed foods, using medicine for muscle spasm and pain, and wearing a dental splint. And soon I'll be starting jaw exercises. Ann, age 35 My doctor and I have decided to use arthroscopy to clean out my joint area, because there's stuff in there that's in the way and I can't open my mouth very far. She says that I have a good chance of that working as long as I do some physical therapy afterwards. I'm going to give it a try. Bill, age 27 I considered surgery years ago when my TMD symptoms got bad a couple of times, but I've learned how to manage the condition. I have managed my TMD for over 10 years now by not overtaxing my jaw, doing jaw stretches, wearing a dental splint when I'm under stress and grind my teeth at night, and using medicine when muscle spasm becomes a problem. It'll never be "right" again, but I'm afraid that surgery would make it worse! Karen, age 40 Apparently, my rheumatoid arthritis has broken down my jawbone enough that only reconstructive surgery can fix it. I hate the idea of surgery, but I'm in such pain that I can barely use my jaw anymore. Terry, age 55 Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to have surgery Reasons not to have surgery I am desperate to find something that will give me use of my jaw. I don't like the idea of having surgery on such an important joint. I'm ready to try surgery even if there's no guarantee it will help. I don't want surgery if I can't be sure it will help. My other important reasons: My other important reasons: Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Having surgery NOT having surgery Check the facts Decide what's next Certainty 1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. The jaw joint, or TM joint, connects the lower jawbone to the skull. TMDs cause symptoms such as: Most cases of TMD are mild. Out of 100 people who have it, 85 to 90 get better without surgery.1 This means that 10 to 15 out of 100 people don't get better without surgery. In arthroscopic surgery, the doctor inserts tiny surgical tools and a camera into a few small cuts in your jaw. It is the type of surgery most often used for TMDs. It is used to: In open-joint surgery, the doctor makes a large cut or incision that exposes the joint. It is used when: Surgery is rarely used to treat TMDs. Your doctor may recommend surgery if both of the following are true: These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. "Although I have severe symptoms, they are new. I am treating this TMD by eating pureed foods, using medicine for muscle spasm and pain, and wearing a dental splint. And soon I'll be starting jaw exercises." — Ann, age 35 "My doctor and I have decided to use arthroscopy to clean out my joint area, because there's stuff in there that's in the way and I can't open my mouth very far. She says that I have a good chance of that working as long as I do some physical therapy afterwards. I'm going to give it a try." — Bill, age 27 "I considered surgery years ago when my TMD symptoms got bad a couple of times, but I've learned how to manage the condition. I have managed my TMD for over 10 years now by not overtaxing my jaw, doing jaw stretches, wearing a dental splint when I'm under stress and grind my teeth at night, and using medicine when muscle spasm becomes a problem. It'll never be "right" again, but I'm afraid that surgery would make it worse!" — Karen, age 40 "Apparently, my rheumatoid arthritis has broken down my jawbone enough that only reconstructive surgery can fix it. I hate the idea of surgery, but I'm in such pain that I can barely use my jaw anymore." — Terry, age 55 Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to have surgery Reasons not to have surgery I am desperate to find something that will give me use of my jaw. I don't like the idea of having surgery on such an important joint. I'm ready to try surgery even if there's no guarantee it will help. I don't want surgery if I can't be sure it will help. My other important reasons: My other important reasons: Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Having surgery NOT having surgery 1.
Is surgery a good treatment choice for most people with TMD? 2.
In most cases, is it best to leave the joint as it is, rather than cutting, removing, or replacing any part of it? 3.
Is arthrocentesis (flushing out the joint) a better choice than arthroscopic surgery when scar tissue is blocking the TM joint? 1.
Do you understand the options available to you? 2.
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? 3.
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? 1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision? 2.
Check what you need to do before you make this decision. Current as of: August 6, 2023 Author: Healthwise Staff Clinical Review BoardTemporomandibular Disorder: Should I Have Surgery for Jaw Pain?
Temporomandibular Disorder: Should I Have Surgery for Jaw Pain?
1
Facts2
Options3
Feelings4
Decision5
Yourself6
Get the facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What are TM disorders?
What types of surgery are used to treat TM disorders?
Why might your doctor recommend surgery?
Compare your options
Personal stories about surgery for temporomandibular disorder
What matters most to you?
Where are you leaning now?
What else do you need to make your decision?
Your Summary
Your decision
Next steps
Which way you're leaning
How sure you are
Your comments
Your knowledge of the facts
Key concepts that you understood
Key concepts that may need review
Getting ready to act
Patient choices
Credits and References
Author Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.Temporomandibular Disorder: Should I Have Surgery for Jaw Pain?
1. Get the Facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What are TM disorders?
What types of surgery are used to treat TM disorders?
Why might your doctor recommend surgery?
2. Compare your options
Have surgery Don't have surgery What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? Personal stories
Personal stories about surgery for temporomandibular disorder
3. What matters most to you?
4. Where are you leaning now?
5. What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts
Decide what's next
Certainty
By Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
FAQs
Have surgery Have surgery
Don't have surgery Don't have surgery
More important
Equally important
More important
More important
Equally important
More important
More important
Equally important
More important
Leaning toward
Undecided
Leaning toward
Not sure at all
Somewhat sure
Very sure
Credits
References
Citations
You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.
Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
FAQs
More important
Equally important
More important
More important
Equally important
More important
More important
Equally important
More important
Leaning toward
Undecided
Leaning toward
You're right. Surgery is rarely used to treat TMDs. It does not guarantee a cure, and it can further damage the joint.
That's right. It's best to leave the joint as it is. Surgery should be considered a last resort for TMDs.
You're right. If the problem is caused by scar tissue blocking the TM joint, arthroscopic surgery may work better than arthrocentesis.
Not sure at all
Somewhat sure
Very sure
Credits
References
Citations