Family Friendly & Specialty Dentists in London, UK
Our dental clinic located directly in Central London serves TMJ Surgery with our team of specialist dentists.
Our dentists serving TMJ Surgery treatments are registered specialist dentists in London, who are all registered with the GDC. Our TMJ Surgery treatments that we provide to City of London and Greater London Area residents are all approved under BDA, GDC and UK standard guidelines.
You can feel welcome and safe choosing London Dental Specialists for your TMJ Surgery in London. You have a full team of dental specialists behind you with a periodontist, orthodontist and endodontist which enables us to take care of your entire smile with any dental procedure necessary for your perfect smile. Don't just take our word for it, watch this video including our real TMJ Surgery patients as a testimony to our expertise:
Contact us and lets get started with helping your dental health and comfort with our TMJ Surgery treatments, and we can set up a consultation in which we plan our how our TMJ Surgery in London can best serve you.
At London Dental Specialists, we offer comprehensive TMJ surgery to alleviate jaw discomfort and restore optimal function. Our structured process begins with a thorough consultation and assessment, followed by the development of a personalised treatment plan. The surgical procedure is performed with precision, and we provide dedicated post-operative care to ensure a smooth recovery. This approach addresses temporomandibular joint disorders effectively, enhancing your oral health and overall well-being.
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Principal Dentist & Specialist in Periodontics
BDS MFDS RCS(Ed) MSc(Rest Dent) MClinDent(Perio) MPerioRCS(Ed)
GDC No: 104071
Specialist in Endodontics
BDS MFDS RCS(Ed) FHEA MClinDent(Ed) MEndoRCS(Ed)
GDC No: 150517
Specialist in Orthodontics
DipDS Athens MS(Ortho) OSU
GDC No: 228487
Living with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders can significantly impact your quality of life, causing jaw pain, headaches, and difficulty with everyday activities like eating and speaking. At London Dental Specialists, we understand the challenges you face when considering TMJ surgery as a treatment option. Our patients often have concerns about the procedure, recovery time, and expected outcomes. Below, we've compiled answers to the most frequently asked questions about TMJ surgery to help you make an informed decision about your treatment journey. Our specialist team is committed to providing personalised care and clear guidance through every step of the process.
TMJ surgery is a procedure that addresses disorders of the temporomandibular joint when conservative treatments have failed. Surgery becomes necessary when patients experience severe, persistent pain, significant jaw dysfunction, or structural problems that don't respond to non-surgical interventions. At London Dental Specialists, we recommend surgical options only after thoroughly exploring conservative treatments such as splint therapy, medications, and physical therapy. Surgery is typically considered for conditions like disc displacement without reduction, advanced degenerative joint disease, or ankylosis (joint fusion).
Yes, TMJ surgery is considered a major procedure. The complexity varies depending on the specific technique used, ranging from minimally invasive arthroscopy to more extensive open joint surgeries. While it is a significant surgical intervention, the results can be quite favourable for patients with severe TMJ disorders who haven't responded to conservative treatments. At London Dental Specialists, our surgical team employs advanced techniques to minimise recovery time and optimise outcomes for patients requiring TMJ surgical intervention.
London Dental Specialists offers several types of TMJ surgical procedures, tailored to each patient's specific condition:
Our specialists determine the most appropriate surgical approach based on detailed diagnostic imaging and comprehensive clinical assessment.
Recovery time after TMJ surgery varies depending on the procedure performed. For minimally invasive procedures like arthrocentesis or arthroscopy, patients typically return to normal activities within 1-2 weeks. For open joint surgeries or total joint replacements, recovery may take 6-8 weeks or longer. During recovery, patients at London Dental Specialists receive comprehensive post-operative care including pain management, dietary modifications, and physical therapy protocols. Most patients experience significant improvement in symptoms within 3 months, though complete healing and adaptation may continue for up to a year.
Success rates for TMJ surgery are generally high when patients are properly selected and the appropriate surgical technique is employed. At London Dental Specialists, our arthroscopic procedures show success rates of approximately 80-90% for reducing pain and improving function. Open joint procedures have success rates of 70-85%, depending on the specific condition being treated. Total joint replacements demonstrate long-term success rates of over 90% for appropriate candidates. These outcomes are optimised through our comprehensive approach that includes careful pre-surgical planning, precise surgical technique, and dedicated post-operative rehabilitation.
As with any surgical procedure, TMJ surgery carries certain risks. Potential complications include:
At London Dental Specialists, we minimise these risks through meticulous surgical technique, sterile protocols, and comprehensive pre-operative planning. Our specialists thoroughly discuss all potential risks with patients during consultation.
Preparing for TMJ surgery at London Dental Specialists involves several important steps:
Our team provides detailed pre-operative instructions tailored to your specific procedure and health needs.
TMJ surgery can provide significant long-term relief for many patients, but whether it permanently \"fixes\" TMJ disorders depends on several factors. For properly selected patients with structural joint problems, procedures like total joint replacement can provide permanent solutions. For patients with disc displacements or early degenerative changes, arthroscopic procedures may provide lasting relief when combined with ongoing management strategies. At London Dental Specialists, we emphasise that optimal long-term outcomes often require a combination of successful surgery, post-operative rehabilitation, and maintenance of good joint health practices, including regular follow-up appointments.
You may be a candidate for TMJ surgery if you experience persistent, severe TMJ symptoms that significantly impact your quality of life and have not responded to conservative treatments. Ideal candidates typically have:
At London Dental Specialists, we conduct thorough evaluations including clinical examination, detailed imaging, and comprehensive medical history review to determine if surgery is appropriate for your specific condition.
| Product | Brands | What it Takes Care of | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft Diet Foods | Heinz, Ambrosia, Hartley's | Nutritional support | Soft foods that require minimal chewing during TMJ recovery. |
| Ice Packs | Boots, Koolpak, Physicool | Swelling reduction | Reusable cold packs to reduce post-surgical swelling. |
| Heat Therapy Pads | Boots, Deep Heat, Thermacare | Muscle relaxation | For later stages of recovery to relieve muscle tension. |
| Ultra-Soft Toothbrush | Oral-B Sensitive, Colgate Slim Soft | Gentle cleaning | Extra-gentle bristles for post-surgical oral hygiene. |
| Prescription Pain Relief | NHS prescribed | Pain management | Follow surgeon's instructions for prescribed pain medication. |
| Alcohol-Free Mouthwash | Corsodyl, Dentyl pH, Oral-B | Gentle rinsing | Antimicrobial rinse that won't irritate surgical sites. |
| Jaw Rehabilitation Exercises | NHS recommended | Mobility restoration | Prescribed exercises to gradually restore jaw movement. |
| Jaw Support Bandage | Boots, Physicool | Stabilisation | Provides support during initial healing phase. |
| Liquid Nutritional Supplements | Ensure, Complan, Fortisip | Nutritional support | Complete nutrition when solid foods are difficult. |
| Blender/Food Processor | Kenwood, Russell Hobbs, Ninja | Food preparation | For preparing soft, blended meals during recovery. |
| Night Guard | Custom-fitted from surgeon | Protection | Post-surgical splint to maintain jaw alignment. |
| Stress Management App | Headspace, Calm | Tension reduction | Helps manage stress that can exacerbate TMJ symptoms. |
