{"id":3298,"date":"2025-12-18T20:44:44","date_gmt":"2025-12-18T20:44:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jawsurgerynj.com\/?page_id=3298"},"modified":"2026-08-01T11:54:02","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T11:54:02","slug":"tmj-joint-replacement","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/jawsurgerynj.com\/es\/tmj-joint-replacement\/","title":{"rendered":"Reemplazo de la articulaci\u00f3n temporomandibular (ATM)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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TMJ Joint Replacement<\/h1><\/header>\n\n\n\n

Rebuilding Jaw Function with Customized Total TMJ Joint Replacement<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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What Is TMJ Joint Replacement?<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Understanding TMJ Joint Replacement<\/h3><\/div>

TMJ (temporomandibular joint) replacement is a surgical procedure performed to replace a damaged or diseased jaw joint with a prosthetic one. It is typically indicated for patients with severe arthritis, trauma, ankylosis (fusion), or degenerative joint disease that causes pain, restricted movement, or impaired function.

The procedure restores jaw mobility, reduces pain, and improves bite alignment. Modern TMJ implants are custom fabricated to match each patient’s unique anatomy and are designed to mimic natural joint function, providing long-term stability while allowing patients to resume normal activities such as chewing, speaking, and smiling.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>

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What Patients Find Most Helpful To Know About TMJ Joint Replacement<\/h3><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"Facial<\/div>

Custom vs. Stock Implants<\/strong><\/h4><\/div>

Both options are effective, but custom implants are often preferred for a more precise fit and optimal function.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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You Will Not Be Wired Shut<\/strong><\/h4><\/div>

Your jaws are not wired shut, though guiding elastics may be used to help position your bite during healing.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Recovery<\/div>

No Issues with Airport Scanners or MRI<\/strong><\/h4><\/div>

TMJ implants do not typically set off airport security and are generally MRI compatible, but you should confirm specifics with your doctor.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Facial<\/div>

Pain Relief and Improved Function<\/strong><\/h4><\/div>

TMJ joint replacement is designed to reduce chronic pain, restore jaw function, and improve overall comfort and movement over time.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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When Is TMJ Joint Replacement<\/strong> Performed?<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Indications for TMJ Joint Replacement<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>

TMJ replacement is typically considered when conservative treatments, such as medications, splints, or arthroscopy, are no longer effective. The procedure may be indicated to:<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Treat severe arthritis or degeneration<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Correct ankylosis (joint fusion)<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Restore jaw movement and bite alignment<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Reduce chronic TMJ pain<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Repair trauma-related joint damage<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Improve overall oral function<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Benefits Of TMJ Joint Replacement<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

TMJ replacement can provide both functional and quality-of-life improvements:<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Facial<\/div>

Relief from chronic jaw pain and discomfort<\/h4><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Mouth<\/div>

Improved ability to chew, speak, and function<\/h4><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Facial<\/div>

Enhanced jaw stability and bite alignment<\/h4><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Beautiful<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"Jaw<\/div>

More natural jaw movement and function Improved facial balance and symmetry<\/h4><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Jaw<\/div>

Long-term durability with custom TMJ prostheses<\/h4><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Facial<\/div>

Support for lasting oral health and function<\/h4><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Virtual Surgical Planning<\/h2><\/div>

Precision-Guided Surgical Planning with 3D Analysis and Simulation.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Digital Records<\/h3><\/div>

CBCT and intraoral scans capture bone and tooth anatomy, enabling sub-millimeter precision surgical planning.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

0.1 mm<\/strong> Accuracy<\/sup><\/sub><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Virtual Surgical Planning<\/h3><\/div>

Surgeons collaborate with biomedical engineers in real time to simulate and perfect the surgical plan, visualizing movements from every angle before surgery.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

360\u00b0<\/strong> Simulation<\/sup><\/sub><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Custom Surgical Splints<\/h4><\/div>

Patient-specific surgical splints guide the jaw into the exact planned position during surgery.
100%<\/strong> Custom Fit<\/sub><\/sup><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Custom Cutting Guides<\/h4><\/div>

Custom osteotomy guides ensure bone cuts are made precisely as planned, maximizing accuracy.
<1mm<\/strong> Precision<\/sub><\/sup><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Custom Titanium Plates<\/h4><\/div>

Patient-specific titanium fixation plates contoured to the patient’s anatomy for optimal stability and healing.
Ti-6Al-4V<\/strong> Medical Grade<\/sup><\/sub><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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How Is TMJ Joint Replacement Performed?<\/h3><\/div>

The procedure is performed under general anesthesia by a specialized oral and maxillofacial team:<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\tu003cstrongu003eComprehensive Planningu003c\/strongu003e<\/span><\/div>

Before surgery, a detailed analysis of the jaw joints and facial skeleton is conducted using clinical photographs, dental models, and CT imaging. This data is used to build a three-dimensional virtual model of the patient’s anatomy, allowing precise planning of the joint replacement and any associated skeletal corrections needed to restore function, establish proper bite alignment, and improve facial symmetry. Custom prosthetic joints are fabricated in advance based on this plan, designed to match the precise contours of the patient’s anatomy. In some cases, correction of the upper jaw is performed in the same surgery to optimize the bite and facial result.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\tu003cstrongu003eIncision Placementu003c\/strongu003e<\/span><\/div>

Access to the TMJ is typically achieved through a small incision placed within the natural crease in front of the ear, helping minimize visible scarring while allowing precise access to the joint. A second incision is made beneath the jawline to position the custom-fabricated condylar component along the lower jaw. Additional incisions inside the mouth provide access to the jawbones without creating visible facial scars. When corrective jaw surgery is performed at the same time, an incision may also be made inside the upper lip to access the upper jaw. Depending on the patient’s condition, TMJ replacement may be performed on one side or both sides of the jaw.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\tu003cstrongu003eu003cstrongu003eJoint Replacementu003c\/strongu003eu003c\/strongu003e<\/span><\/div>

The damaged or diseased joint components are carefully removed, preserving the surrounding tissue as much as possible. The custom prosthetic joint, consisting of a fossa component that fits against the skull base and a condylar component that replaces the jaw joint, is positioned and secured to the bone. The fit of each component is confirmed against the surgical plan before fixation.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\tu003cstrongu003eFixationu003c\/strongu003e<\/span><\/div>

The prosthetic components are secured with titanium screws. When upper jaw surgery is performed in the same procedure, the repositioned upper jaw is stabilized with custom titanium plates fabricated in advance. All hardware is biocompatible and remains in place permanently.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\tu003cstrongu003eClosureu003c\/strongu003e<\/span><\/div>

All incisions are closed in layers. The incision in front of the ear and the submandibular incision are closed with fine sutures to minimize the appearance of scarring. Intraoral incisions are closed with absorbable sutures that dissolve on their own.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\tu003cstrongu003eRecovery and Monitoringu003c\/strongu003e<\/span><\/div>

Patients typically go home the morning after surgery. During the first week, patients can expect swelling, bruising, and fatigue. Most patients feel significantly better after that, and the majority are feeling much more like themselves by the second week. A soft diet is maintained during the healing period as the surrounding tissue adapts to the new joint. Physical therapy and guided jaw exercises are typically introduced early in the recovery process to restore range of motion and support long term function.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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TMJ Joint Replacement<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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