Can Jaw Surgery Cause TMJ Problems?

Can Jaw Surgery Cause TMJ Problems?

The relationship between orthognathic surgery and TMJ is important to understand. Here is what you need to know.

Jaw surgery can both improve and occasionally worsen TMJ symptoms. The effect varies by individual.

• How surgery can help TMJ:
• Correcting a bad bite reduces abnormal pressure on the joint
• Proper jaw position allows the joint to function more naturally
• Muscle tension from compensating for a bad bite can decrease
• Many patients report TMJ pain improves after surgery

• How surgery can affect TMJ negatively (less common):
• The joint position changes after surgery
• This can cause temporary joint discomfort as the joint adapts
• In rare cases, pre-existing TMJ issues may persist or worsen
• Patients with pre-existing TMJ arthritis may have unpredictable outcomes

• What the research shows:
• 60–70% of patients with pre-existing TMJ pain report improvement
• 15–20% report no change
• 5–10% report worsening of TMJ symptoms
• Some patients develop TMJ symptoms after surgery that were not present before (usually temporary)

Recommendations

• If you have existing TMJ issues, discuss them thoroughly with your surgeon
• Some surgeons recommend TMJ treatment before jaw surgery
• Non-surgical TMJ therapy (splint, PT) may be recommended before or after surgery

Clinical Guidance

TMJ symptoms improve after jaw surgery for most patients, but a small percentage may experience new or worsening symptoms. Discuss your TMJ history honestly with your surgeon so they can plan your treatment appropriately.