Suffering from constant jaw pain can be a horrible experience, making you feel miserable 24/7. Whether you’re working or simply resting, you will always have aching jaws. Eating can be even more painful and merely taking over-the-counter meds may not help.
In cases like these, the only way to rid yourself of the pain is choosing a surgical option. Orthognathic surgery is arguably the most common type of jaw surgery out there. The procedure is relatively straightforward and can help relieve a great deal of pain.
Why Do People Suffer from Temporomandibular Joint Jaw Pain
Chronic jaw pain is ongoing pain in the jaw area that is often tied to jaw misalignment or temporomandibular joint disorders, and when symptoms do not improve with conservative care, jaw surgery may be considered to restore function and relieve pain. If eating, chewing, speaking, or resting has become difficult because of persistent jaw pain, facial pain, or jaw discomfort, this overview explains the causes, symptoms, non-surgical care, and the surgical options that may be used to achieve lasting relief. Chronic jaw pain can happen because of numerous reasons, with jaw misalignment is arguably the biggest ones, but sudden jaw pain can also arise from other conditions that need prompt evaluation. The jaw consists of the following parts: the maxilla, upper jawbone, mandible, and lower jawbones. Malocclusion, or bite misalignment, can create uneven stress in the jaw muscles.
There are three common types of jaw misalignments, which may be treated with surgery in some cases, though chronic jaw pain may also relate to temporomandibular joint disorders affecting the jaw joint and surrounding jaw muscles, not just jaw alignment. Chronic TMD generally means pain lasting more than three months. They are:
Open Bite: This is when the lower and upper jaws don’t meet when you close your mouth.
Underbite: In this condition, your lower jaw sticks out too forward.
Overbite: When the maxilla protrudes above the lower jaw significantly, it is referred to as overbite.
Arthritis can also degenerate cartilage and bone in the temporomandibular joint and should be considered in diagnosis and treatment.
Mentioned below is a list of common TMD symptoms and other signs people with chronic jaw pain could experience, including facial pain, jaw discomfort, and jaw clicking. These could also indicate that you require jaw surgery.
- Inability to clench teeth
- Chronic pain in your jaws
- Headaches and ear discomfort
- Temporomandibular joint pain, clicking or popping sounds in the jaw, and the need to keep your jaw healthy as you age
- Dry mouth
- Sleep apnea
- Not being able to bite or chew properly
Facial pain occurs in 96% of TMD patients, ear discomfort in 82%, headaches in 79%, and jaw discomfort or dysfunction in 75% of cases. Teeth grinding, also called bruxism, often happens during sleep and can worsen chronic jaw pain. Emotional stress can tighten the chewing muscles and contribute to muscle spasm and pain.
What are the Most Common Surgical Options for Chronic TMJ Disorders Jaw Pain
Conservative care usually comes first to support pain relief and function, often combining self care steps like eating soft foods during flare-ups with physical therapy and targeted jaw exercises for TMJ pain to improve jaw motion and relieve pain. Applying ice or moist heat can ease TMJ symptoms, and avoiding extreme jaw movements can help during flare-ups. Providers may also use anti-inflammatory medication strategies, and over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen are commonly used for localized jaw pain, with muscle relaxants used in some cases. Stress management techniques may also help reduce tension in the jaw muscles. Supportive medical devices such as occlusal splints may help reduce strain. A physical examination may reveal tenderness in the chewing muscles. Magnetic resonance imaging can be useful when symptoms persist and treatment planning needs a clearer view of the joint in its normal position. Diagnostic injections may sometimes help distinguish the source of chronic jaw pain. Many people with temporomandibular joint disorders also have other pain conditions, and TMD is associated with chronic headaches and fibromyalgia. Coexisting fibromyalgia can amplify jaw pain, and 85% of TMD patients have other chronic pain conditions.
When symptoms do not improve with conservative treatment, surgical treatments may be considered when pain and dysfunction persist despite conservative care, or when severe pain or severe symptoms reflect structural problems. Because open procedures can create permanent changes, they are reserved for carefully selected cases as part of diagnosis and treatment.
Mandibular Osteotomy: This surgical option repairs sever underbites and other symptoms of receded lower jaws.
Maxillary Osteotomy: Upper jaw surgery, which many know as maxillary osteotomy, helps fix receded upper jaws. This surgical option manipulates and fixes the jaw using metal plates and screws, ensuring it is in the right place. Doctors often use this procedure for correcting open bite, cross bite, and overbite.
Chin Surgery/Genioplasty: This surgical option is often used for fixing lower jaws that recede severely. When performing this procedure, doctors restructure your chin as well as your jaw. One of the best things about this surgical option is that patients do not have to sit through two surgeries, as it addresses both issues.
What to Expect from Chronic Jaw Pain Surgery and Physical Therapy
Before the surgical procedure for your chronic jaw pain begins, the doctor will explain everything that will happen. Not all temporomandibular disorders require surgery, and many cases improve with self-care such as eating soft foods, along with physical therapy to improve function and relieve pain. Surgical treatment is usually considered only after conservative care fails, so your healthcare provider will often start with a detailed medical history and a physical examination, including how jaw movement affects pain and function. Providers should also review other medical conditions and autoimmune diseases when evaluating chronic jaw pain. Examples that can affect the TMJ include rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Limited mouth opening and facial pain can also point to temporomandibular joint disorders. First-line medications may include anti-inflammatory treatment, especially nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and muscle relaxants may sometimes be used for muscle-related symptoms. Acupuncture may provide short-term pain relief. Occlusal splints are among the medical devices used conservatively, but occlusal treatments lack evidence and may even worsen TMD. Imaging studies may include X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging when symptoms persist or the diagnosis is unclear. Depression increases TMD risk by 2.1 times, anxiety increases myofascial pain risk by 1.8 times, and smoking raises TMD risk in women under 30. When surgery is needed, a maxillofacial surgeon may recommend options such as arthroscopy, joint repair, joint replacement, or maxillary osteotomy to restore the jaw to a more normal position, which is typically when patients are advised on when to visit an oral surgeon for specialized care. Some patients have debilitating pain and may also have comorbid conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome that complicate care. Once your surgery is over, you might have to stay at the hospital for a day or two depending on the condition, so doctors can observe you before declaring you fit to return home, and your care team will review postoperative instructions for orthognathic surgery to support safe healing. Biofeedback or similar approaches may help patients relax tense jaw muscles, and discussions of botulinum toxin sometimes focus on the chewing muscles. Botulinum toxin Type A is FDA-approved for some conditions, not TMD, even though it is sometimes discussed for muscle spasm or pain relief.
If you are suffering from chronic jaw pain, give us a call at (435) 220-2324. For more information, readers can also review resources from the TMJ Association. Our oral surgery practice in St. George, Utah and oral surgery office in Mesquite, NV are part of a comprehensive oral and maxillofacial surgery institute led by a board-certified oral surgeon in St. George. We have a team of highly competitive surgeons who will analyze your condition and suggest the best surgical option to ensure your jaw is pain free.