Temporomandibular arthroscopy

For arthroscopic jaw surgery, the surgeon inserts a pencil-thin, lighted tube (arthroscope) into the jaw joint through a small incision in the skin. The arthroscope is connected to a small camera outside the body that transmits a close-up image of the joint to a TV screen.

The surgeon can insert surgical tools through the arthroscope to do surgery on the joint. This prevents the need for more incisions. This technique is used to diagnose and treat temporomandibular disorders (TMD).

During the surgery, the surgeon may:

• Remove scar tissue and thickened cartilage.
• Reshape parts of the jawbone.
• Reposition the disc.
• Tighten the joint to limit movement.
• Flush (lavage) the joint.
• Insert an anti-inflammatory medicine.

Procedures are done under general anesthesia. They usually take 30 minutes or longer, depending upon the type of procedure.

Arthroscopy can also be used to flush out the joint (lavage) or to inject an anti-inflammatory medicine. This can be especially helpful to people who have TMDs caused by rheumatoid arthritis.

Arthroscopy can be used to treat TMDs involving:

• Joint disease that causes tissue and bone to break down.
• Scar tissue (adhesions).
• Cartilage that is too thick.
• Severe disc problems in the joint.
• A jaw joint that has loosened over time or after an injury.

This procedure may also be used to diagnose a TMD (diagnostic arthroscopy).

Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgery that can effectively treat TMDs. Compared with an open-joint surgery, it can treat a TMD with fewer and less severe complications.