Expertise · 02

TMJ Surgery &
Joint Replacement

Surgical care for complex jaw-joint problems — up to and including total joint replacement.

The joint that
moves the jaw.

The temporomandibular joints (TMJs) connect the lower jaw to the skull, just in front of each ear.

When a joint is damaged or malformed, it can cause pain, limited opening, a changing bite — or a gradual shift in the shape of the face.

Conditions treated

Complex TMJ disorders

Joint problems that haven’t responded to other care.

Arthritis & degeneration

Wear and breakdown of the joint surfaces.

Structural abnormalities

Joints that are malformed, fused or have lost bone.

Joint + jaw problems

When the joint and jaw position are affected together.

Most jaw-joint symptoms don’t need surgery. Surgery is considered when the joint itself is structurally damaged — or when other treatments haven’t helped.

Case example · Virtual surgical plan

Joint and jaw, planned together.

The damaged joint is removed, the jaw is brought into its corrected position, and a custom joint is designed to hold it there.

Before: side view of a 3D skull model with the original jaw joint and a retruded lower jaw
Before
Joint removed: the condyle resected and the lower jaw repositioned forward
Condyle removed · jaw repositioned
Final mandibular position, with the anticipated position of the joint replacement shown in red
Final mandibular position · anticipated joint position

Total joint replacement

A new joint,
built for you.

When a joint is too damaged to repair, it can be replaced. The joint is reconstructed with a prosthesis — often custom-made from your CT scan — to restore function and support the jaw’s position.

If jaw position also needs correcting, joint replacement and corrective jaw surgery can be planned together in 3D.

3D-printed skull model showing a custom total jaw joint replacement, planned from the patient's CT scan, with the prosthesis shown in red
A custom joint replacement, designed from the patient’s CT scan and checked on a 3D-printed model.

The process

  1. i.

    Evaluation

    Symptoms, jaw function and 3D imaging of both joints.

  2. ii.

    Options

    The least invasive approach that will reliably work.

  3. iii.

    Planning

    Joint and jaw considered together, planned in 3D.

  4. iv.

    Recovery

    Guided physical therapy and close follow-up.

Related Jaw Surgery & Asymmetry → Comprehensive Facial Surgery →

Let’s talk.

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