Should i get surgery for tmj? the pain has gotten worse lately, but its still not usually too terrible. ive heard that sometimes surgery can cause worse problems than the tmj.

Surgery : Surgery would be my treatment of last resort. A night guard or other occlusal appliance, stress relief, medication to relax muscles are better treatment options.

Last option: Sometimes surgery is required, depending on the underlying cause of your tmd symptoms but usually it is proposed only after more conservative treatment options have been attempted. Make sure you have been evaluated by a TMJ expert before submitting to surgery and don't be shy about getting multiple opinions. Surgery is a very useful option in a continuum of possible treatments.

It depends: There are many factors to consider. Surgery for TMJ is extremely aggressive and invasive. I would exhaust other treatment options like an oral appliance to adjust jaw position or Botox injections to relive discomfort. Be certain you are seeing a prosthodontists and/or oral surgeon to explain your specific treatment options.

Perhaps: If your symptoms are unacceptable, then surgery may help. You will get "horror stories" from others, but most patients are helped. Make sure any surgeon you see has vast experience with TMJ surgery.