Frequently Asked Questions
The jaw joint is designed like a ball and socket. The “ball” is the part of the lower jaw, called the condyle that fits into the “socket” of the temporal bone, known as the fossa.
An eminectomy is a procedure that modifies the bony anatomy of the joint. It is a proven technique for treating recurrent dislocations of the joint.
The articular disc sits on the top of the condyle of the TMJ, acting almost as a shock absorber, always sitting between the lower jaw and the socket of the TMJ. In some instances, the disc becomes displaced and sits in front of the condyle. This can give rise to irritating clicks and sometimes painful limited opening. In cases where non-surgical therapy fails to resolve the symptoms of clicking or painful limited mouth opening, surgical repositioning of the articular disc can often give significant improvement. This involves open surgery of the joint, via a 2-3 cm incision immediately in front of the ear.
This is similar to an injection into the jaw joint and is used as a treatment for pain that does not improve using non-invasive therapies. Local anaesthetic is carefully injected into the jaw joint, making this area numb. A second needle is then also inserted into the joint, and sterile water is then flushed through the joint, entering via one needle and exiting via the second. The water removes inflammatory chemicals that cause pain and swelling from the joint.
This is similar in idea to arthrocentesis in that sterile water is flushed through the joint. However, instead of 2 small needles, arthroscopy involves placing 2 wider special needles called cannulas into the joint. A tiny camera is inserted through one cannula, allowing a detailed examination of the joint. The second cannula can be used for drainage of fluids or numerous instruments may be inserted into the joint, such as scissors, biopsy forceps or even a laser to clean the joint of scar tissue.
No. My work schedule is divided between public hospital and private practice. I provide the same services in both settings.
This is the third molar (the big chewing teeth at the back of the mouth) and erupts through the gum around age 18. As the other teeth are typically already in the mouth by this time, there may be insufficient space, and these may become stuck or impacted.
Not all wisdom teeth need to be removed, but common reasons for removal include:
Painful gum infections
Tooth decay of the wisdom tooth or the adjacent tooth
Cyst formation around an impacted tooth
As part of orthodontic treatment or prior to orthognathic surgery
Some wisdom teeth, particularly in the upper jaw, cause little pain or swelling following removal and it should be possible to return to work immediately.
Lower wisdom teeth vary in terms of associated pain and swelling following removal. You should expect to use some form of pain medication (acamol, ibufen) for between 2-10 days. Dr Gillman will be happy to guide you about this at your initial visit.