TMJ Disorders (Surgical & Non-Surgical Management)

TMJ Disorders (Surgical & Non-Surgical Management)

Chronic jaw pain, frequent headaches, and difficulty chewing can take a massive toll on your daily quality of life. If you are experiencing these symptoms, you may be suffering from a Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorder.

At LAVAAN Smiles, we understand how debilitating TMJ pain can be. Our expert team utilizes advanced 3D imaging and a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach to diagnose the root cause of your jaw dysfunction. From conservative, non-surgical therapies to advanced surgical interventions, we provide personalized treatment plans to help you live comfortably and pain-free.

What is a TMJ Disorder (TMD)?
Your temporomandibular joints are the complex, sliding hinge joints that connect your lower jawbone to your skull on either side of your face. They are responsible for every movement your jaw makes, including talking, chewing, swallowing, and yawning.

When these joints, or the surrounding network of facial muscles and ligaments, become inflamed, misaligned, or damaged, it results in a condition collectively known as TMD (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder).

Common Symptoms of TMJ Disorders
TMJ disorders can manifest differently from patient to patient, with symptoms ranging from mild and occasional to severe and chronic. You should schedule an evaluation with our team if you regularly experience:

Jaw Pain or Tenderness: A dull, aching pain in the jaw joints, face, or neck, especially upon waking or while chewing.

Clicking or Popping: Noticeable, and sometimes painful, clicking, popping, or grating sounds when opening or closing your mouth.

Lockjaw: A terrifying sensation where the jaw gets temporarily "stuck" in an open or closed position, or a severely limited range of motion.

Chronic Headaches: Frequent tension headaches or migraines, often radiating from the temples or the back of the neck.

Ear Symptoms: Unexplained earaches, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), or a feeling of fullness in the ears without an active infection.

Tooth Wear: Unexplained chipping, flattening, or sensitivity in your teeth, often caused by subconscious grinding.

Non-Surgical Management (First-Line Treatments)
Whenever possible, LAVAAN Dental takes a conservative approach to treating TMJ disorders. For the vast majority of our patients, non-surgical interventions are highly effective at relieving pain and restoring function. Your customized management plan may include:

Custom Splint Therapy (Night Guards): One of the leading causes of TMJ pain is nocturnal bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching). A custom-fabricated, hard acrylic night guard protects your teeth from wear and gently positions your jaw into a relaxed state to reduce muscle tension while you sleep.

BOTOX® Therapy: Targeted BOTOX® injections can temporarily paralyze the overworked masseter muscles, drastically reducing the intense force of clenching and providing profound relief from facial pain and headaches.

Medications: Short-term use of muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), or corticosteroid injections can help break the cycle of acute inflammation and muscle spasms.

Physical Therapy & Lifestyle Changes: We will provide guidance on jaw exercises, stress management techniques, and adopting a temporary soft-food diet to allow your joints time to rest and heal.

Surgical Management (Advanced Care)
If conservative treatments fail to provide relief, or if advanced 3D imaging reveals severe structural damage or degeneration within the joint, surgical intervention may be necessary. Our highly skilled oral and maxillofacial surgeons offer state-of-the-art procedures tailored to the severity of your condition:

Arthrocentesis: A minimally invasive, same-day procedure where sterile fluid is flushed through the TMJ to wash away inflammatory byproducts and debris. A lubricating medication is often injected to help the joint glide smoothly.

Arthroscopy: A small, thin tube equipped with a camera (arthroscope) is inserted into the joint, allowing the surgeon to see the damage and use microscopic instruments to remove scar tissue, smooth the bone, or realign the joint's cushioning disc.

Open Joint Surgery (Arthroplasty): Reserved for the most severe cases of joint degeneration, arthritis, or tumors, this traditional surgical approach allows the surgeon full access to repair, replace, or reconstruct the damaged components of the TMJ.

Find Relief from Jaw Pain Today
You do not have to live with chronic facial pain and jaw dysfunction. Schedule a comprehensive TMJ evaluation with the experts at LAVAAN Smiles today, and let us help you regain your comfort and quality of life.

Visit us at one of our 3 convenient New York locations:

West Village: 474 6th Ave., New York, NY 10011 | 212-837-1833

Upper East Side: 1196 Lexington Ave., New York, NY 10028 | 212-879-1845

Midtown West: 311 West 43rd St, Suite 405, New York, NY 10036 | 212-581-5050