Common Question #2

How rare is this? Will this happen to me?

My condition is pretty rare. While it’s possible it is also under-diagnosed or under-treated, most TMJ problems can be treated with much, much more conservative treatments. Because I have had a lot of TMJ issues my whole life, I have gravitated toward choosing continuing education in dentistry that focuses on TMJ disorders and treatments. So, I tend to see a fair amount of these patients in my own dental practice. Most of these patients are treated with special splints that are worn at night (and sometimes during the day), bite adjustments (only after a full diagnostic records including something called a facebow which relates their teeth to their jaw joints), home therapy (stretches, etc), medications, and sometimes Botox if indicated.

A really simplified reason why I need surgery: My jaw joints are eroding away–they are getting smaller and smaller. As they get smaller and smaller, my lower jaw moves back and up. This is closing my airway. Yes, I have a ton of pain. Yes, I can’t function well. But the big shove into surgery is the closing of my airway. We need air to live. Simple as that.

This procedure has not been done a lot. It is not a routine surgery. It is only done by a few surgeons in the United States. So when I hear, “Oh, my friend’s neighbor’s aunt had that surgery!” I inwardly roll my eyes and nod politely. In my 12+ years of practicing dentistry, I haven’t come across even one patient with artificial TM joints.

I am in good hands though. I have the best of the best operating on me. Dr. Shah has the expertise and the science to back it up. My case will be used to teach other surgeons and clinicians. I will likely be found in a few medical journals by 2025. So if you come across a copy, I’d be happy to autograph it for you.