NEW YORK ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY
800B Fifth Avenue, Suite 1
New York, NY, 10065

MARK STEIN, D.D.S., M.D.
DAVID KOSLOVSKY, D.D.S., F.A.C.S.
CALL TODAY!212.888.4760

TMJ Treatment

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorders are a potential serious cause of facial pain and discomfort. TMJ disorders can range from a number of problems that may relate to the jaw joint complex, possibly involving muscles, ligaments, tendons, the lower jaw, teeth, nerves, and other areas. When the TMJ does not properly function, the jaw does not smoothly open and close, closely affecting common tasks such as eating and speaking.

What causes TMJ disorders?

There are a variety of factors that may contribute to TMJ disorders. TMJ disorders should be taken seriously as they may affect the normal, everyday life of a patient. These disorders could range from being temporary to lasting for many years and are commonly found in patients between the ages of twenty and forty.

Causes of TMJ Disorders

Injury to the joint

Torn cartilage

Diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis

Stress

Grinding of the teeth

Misaligned teeth

How do you treat TMJ disorders?

In order to properly treat some TMJ disorders, Dr. Stein offers arthroscopic surgery to diagnosis and repair the damaged areas of the jaw and regain normal usage. Dr. Stein may also implore the use of a procedure called Arthrocentesis to wash the joint space, remove debris, and aid in regaining proper disk position in some cases of early Temporomandibular Dysfunction, otherwise known as TMD.

What is arthroscopic TMJ surgery?

Similar to the Arthoscopic surgery performed on the knee, elbow, and other joints, arthroscopic TMJ surgery is typically done in an office or outpatient hospital setting and requires a deep conscious sedation, or in some cases, general anesthesia. If non-surgical treatments have not proven to be effective, this procedure is usually the most immediate treatment available to patients. The procedure requires a small 3mm incision over the joint in front of the ear where the Arthroscope is placed inside the joint space to begin to remove scar tissue and repair the damaged joint. In some cases, the displaced TMJ Disc can be repositioned using the Arthroscopic technique.

Additionally, a procedure called Arthrocentisis can be used to irrigate the joint space, wash away joint debris that has collected in the joint space over time, change the biological make-up of the joint fluid, and can sometimes be used in treating acute onset TMD.

How can I learn more about TMJ Arthrocentesis?

Dr. Stein and his staff would be happy to discuss TMJ treatment in NYC with you. Please call 212-888-4760 or schedule an appointment online to arrange for a private consultation at our office.