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Gainesville
1221 Sherwood Park Dr., NE
Gainesville, GA 30501
770-531-1075 » Email Us

TMJ Specialist Postoperative Care

Postoperative care with a TMJ specialist is important following surgery. Our surgical treatment for TMJ is generally performed in the afternoon at a local surgery center in the Atlanta, Georgia area. Patients usually go home a few hours after surgery or after an overnight stay. We then see patients in the office the day after surgery and one to two weeks later to remove their stitches. From there, we schedule post-op follow-up appointments in our office at six weeks, three months, and six months.

There is often some bruising and swelling that accompany TMJ surgery, and that is why follow up appointments with a TMJ specialist is so critical. We prescribe short-term courses of antibiotics and pain medications for our post-op patients. Typically, we suggest patients plan to take two weeks off work, but many are ready to return to normal activities much sooner than that.

The three most important steps of recovery from TMJ surgery

Diet – Our TMJ surgery patients are instructed to follow a liquid diet for the first two weeks after their operation. At three to four weeks post-op, patients move to very soft foods (scrambled eggs, etc.), then soft foods with more substance for two weeks, and ultimately return to their normal diet at six weeks post-op.
Exercise – Our TMJ surgery patients are instructed to use an oral therapy device five times a day for six months to hasten their recovery from their TMJ disorder. This device gently opens the mouth to achieve maximum mouth opening postoperatively.

Attitude – Our TMJ surgery patients must want to do well in their recovery and follow their prescribed treatment plans to obtain optimum results. Attitude and a positive outlook are critical to a successful outcome.

Our goal for post-op TMJ surgery patients

Generally, TMJ specialists consider surgery a success if a patient experiences a decrease in pain and restoration of the ability to open the mouth from 30 to 35mm (2 to 3 fingers stacked). We strive for, and usually achieve, an incisal opening of 40+mm.

And although there are no guarantees, our patients often report prompt relief from their TMJ pain. Our expectation is that our post-op patients will be able to return to a normal life, including everything from yawning to eating a steak, without the limitations imposed by TMJ pain.

To speak with a TMJ specialist concerning your medical needs, please contact Dr. Fred Simonton today.