Can the orthognathic surgery fix a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction? This is a question for the which we haven’t found an answer with enough cientific evidence.
Why?
Because the heterogeneity of patients with TMJ dysfunction makes it difficult to compare results. It’s like comparing pears with apples. We need prospective multicenter randomized studies well designed to have a response scientifically valid.
What do we do with patients that have malocclusions and TMJ dysfunctions?
Although we can’t ensure a definite solution to your problem, but we do know some features, that can be improved or even fixed.
What features are we talking about?
- Patients with open bite associated to long and flat faces with big jaws.
- Patients with very big overbites and goniac angles very noticeable.
- Patients with a skeletal malocclusion and bruxism.
In these patient groups, our experience is that orthognathic surgery solves or substantially improves TMJ.
Another patient that is candidate to orthognathic surgery and with TMJ dysfunction, is the one that has an alteration in its articulation, that has lead to a jaw level problem or maxillar. This is the case of condylar hyperplasia, and osteomas condromas or ankylosis of TMJ condyle. In them, we solve both the problem of the joint, such as malposition of the jaws, either in a single surgery or in a sequence.
Do you have a TMJ dysfunction, orofacial pain and a malocclusion? Call us and we’ll evaluate your situation in a personal way.
Article written by the Birbe Editorial Committee
