1. Try Other Solutions First
People with severe symptoms of TMJ--a painful condition in which the jaw joint clicks, pops and cracks during normal activities such as chewing and yawning--may find relief with arthroscopic surgery. However, the jaw muscles and joints are in such close proximity to the skull and facial nerves that this procedure can be risky. Before undergoing arthroscopy to treat TMJ, try to find relief through other means. If you have a severe deviation in movement when you open and close your mouth, an orthodontist or dentist specializing in TMD (temporomandibular disorders) can fit you with appliances that alter your bite and realign your jaw. Your specialist can also prescribe simple exercises that stretch the jaw muscles and increase your range of motion.
2. Arthroscopy Removes Adhesions From the Joint
For reasons that are often unclear, adhesions, or bands of scar tissue, may be present in your temporomandibular joint. This scar tissue can limit how widely you can open your jaw and can contribute to the pain and tightness you experience in that area when you have TMJ. Doctors use arthroscopic surgery on patients with acute TMJ and degenerative joint disease to remove the adhesions from the joint. Once the adhesions are gone, normal mobility of the jaw can return. Many patients who have this type of surgery also report a reduction in the facial pain that is caused by TMJ.
3. Joint Lavage Increases Range of Motion
An arthroscopic procedure called joint lavage can be an effective treatment method for those with severe pain and lack of mobility in the jaw. Lavage means to flush or wash, and through arthroscopic surgery, doctors can flush away miscellaneous debris that may be present in the joint. During the same procedure, the disc that lies between the lower jaw and the temporal bone of the skull may be realigned. With these measures, your jaw can move smoothly again without the disturbing clicking and popping noises, facial pain and headaches that are common in people with TMJ.
