TMJ Arthroplasty in Kyiv

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the lower jaw to the skull and works every time we speak, chew or yawn. TMJ arthroplasty is surgical restoration of the joint when conservative treatment has failed: in severe arthritis, ankylosis, destruction of the joint surfaces or after injury. At UKRMED Maxillofacial Surgery, surgeon Anna Kravchenko starts treatment with accurate diagnosis, and surgery is considered only with clear indications.

How common TMJ disorders are

TMJ disorders are common. A 2021 meta-analysis found that about 31% of adults have some temporomandibular joint disorder, most often disc displacement, with degenerative changes (arthritis) in almost 10%. Most people, however, never need surgery.

Symptoms of TMJ dysfunction

• pain in front of the ear, in the jaw or temple, worse when chewing;
• clicking, popping or grating in the joint;
• limited mouth opening or jaw locking;
• asymmetric jaw movement;
• headache, neck pain or a blocked feeling in the ear.

TMJ dysfunction is often linked to teeth grinding, a poor bite, injury, stress or arthritis. TMJ pain should not be ignored.

Diagnosis

The surgeon examines the face, assesses jaw movements, mouth opening, the bite and the chewing muscles. A joint CT shows the bony structures, and MRI shows the disc. The diagnosis is made from all the findings together.

TMJ treatment: from simple to complex

1. Conservative treatment — the first step for most patients: jaw rest, soft food, physiotherapy, exercises and management of grinding. An Aqua Splint appliance offloads the joint. An orthodontist may be involved to correct the bite, and a dentist to restore teeth.
2. Minimally invasive procedures — arthrocentesis: flushing the joint through fine needles. A 2026 meta-analysis found it low-risk: complications occur in about 11% of cases and are mostly minor and temporary, such as swelling around the joint or brief weakness of facial muscles.
3. TMJ surgery — arthroplasty: open joint surgery to repair or replace damaged structures.

The arthroplasty operation

Surgery is performed under general anaesthesia, supervised by an anaesthesiologist, through an incision near the ear. The surgeon removes displaced or damaged tissue, reshapes the joint surfaces and, if needed, repairs the disc or carries out TMJ reconstruction. Rehabilitation afterwards is essential: exercises to restore movement, soft food and bite monitoring.

Contraindications

Acute infections, uncontrolled chronic illness and bleeding disorders. Surgery is chosen only after conservative methods have failed.

Surgical risks

• Facial muscle weakness on the operated side — facial nerve branches run close to the joint. It is usually temporary.
• Numbness in front of the ear and at the temple — it usually resolves gradually.
• Infection and bleeding — as with any open surgery.
• Bite changes — after joint surgery, the bite is monitored by an orthodontist.
• Recurrent restriction — especially after surgery for ankylosis. This is why regular exercises after surgery matter as much as the operation itself.

The surgeon discusses these risks at the consultation and weighs them against the expected benefit — which is why conservative and minimally invasive methods are tried first.

Prices at UKRMED

The surgeon calculates the cost of arthroplasty after diagnosis, depending on the extent of surgery.

Sources

1. Valesan L. F., Da-Cas C. D., Réus J. C. et al. Prevalence of temporomandibular joint disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Oral Investig, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-020-03710-w
2. Vaira L. A., Qadeer H., Lechien J. R. et al. Complications of temporomandibular joint arthrocentesis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of incidence and safety profile. Cranio, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1080/08869634.2026.2665474