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Would SMAS Lift Help TMJ?
Would an SMAS lift help with the TMJ I have? The right side of my face sags more that the left. I think this is caused by TMJ. I have managed to grind the teeth on the right side down through my gold crown's. I even have a mouth guard.
My understanding is that an SMAS Face Lift would tighten the jaw line muscles. I hit my chin on the right side in 1979 while mounting my horse. I did not notice till later that I have a bone the sticks out on bottom of chin. I have been asked if I have Bell's (something or other) because of the sagging jaw. Do you think it would be covered by insurance?
Asked 35 months ago by
ICIrisheyes in Jefferson City, MT
+2
Facelift may help appearance, but won't fix your TMJ problems
TMJ is short for Temporo-Mandibular Joint. If you are having pain or other trouble with your TMJ, the increased jaw tension or joint stress would not typically cause your face to sag. It is unclear to me what deformity you have now is due to the trauma you describe 31 years ago. Surgery to fix a deformity due to "medical reasons" (such as trauma or cancer) may be covered by insurance, but surgery to improve facial appearance alone would not be covered by insurance.
The one...
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Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1
Facelift will not improve TMJ
A facelift is for cosmetic purposes and would have no effect on the improvement of your temporomandibular joint problems. It would also not be covered by insurance as it has no functional component.
+1
TMJ not helped by SMAS lift
I agree that there should be NO representation to you that lifting the deeper structures as is done in a face lift will benefit your TMJ. This delicate joint needs to be evaluated by an Oral Surgeon.
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TMJ and the SMAS
The answers are no, no , no and no way. the mimetic muscles (facial expression) are not related to the muscles of mastication (TMJ, chewing). cosmetic surgery is cosmetic. not functional. It is simply not covered. anyone who offers to do you a favor and "get it covered" is not donig you any favor. see you DDS/oral surgeon for tx of your TMJ. good luck
+1
Treatment of TMJ
Thanks for the question about facelifting and TMJ. A facelift would, unfortunately, not help with your TMJ. The SMAS layer of the face, which is tightened in most current approaches to rejuvenating the face, has nothing to do with the temperomandibular joint.
You should seek out a dentist or oral surgeon to have your bruxism (teeth grinding) and TMJ evaluated. I have had very good success injecting the masseter muscles (bite muscles) with Botox in patients with severe teeth grinding who...
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Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1
SMAS and TMJ
Their is no relationship between SMAS lifting and TMJ. Most causes of TMJ can be traced to excessive tension along the masseter muscle, as well as temporalis in select cases. A SMAS lift will not effect this dynamic.
Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1
A SMAS facelift will have no effect on TMJ joint problems.
The SMAS is an anatomic layer that has no contact with the TM joint. Manipulation fixes no organic problems that I am aware of. It is a layer that is often dealth with in facelift surgery that is exclusively cosmetic.
+1
TMJ
No, you need to see an oral surgeon this problem is not a part of cosmetic surgery. To pretend to help this functional problem is beyond the scope of cosmetic surgery.
+1
TMJ and facelifts
While a SMAS facelift will improve the tightness of the skin and the fatty tissue in the cheeks, it will NOT help TMJ. No facelift will help TMJ. You might get better facial symmetry but this would not be a medical improvement. You insurance company will likely not cover any portion of a facelift. There are surgical options for TMJ. I would recommend that you search for a surgeon has a lot of experience with TMJ. It is a difficult problem and should not be treated by someone that does...
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+1
SMAS Lift Will Have no Effect on TMJ
The SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system: fibrofattty covering of the facial musculature) has nothing anatomically or functionally to do with the temperomandibular joint (TMJ). Since a SMAS lift is purely cosmetic, it will not alleviate or worsen your symptoms.
+1
SMAS facelift and sagging face
It is unlikely that the TMJ has anything to do with your sagging face. Your unilateral sagging face is probably congenital and related to facial assymetry, which is a common phenomenon in the general population. The hoarse riding accident may have caused your TMJ due to trauma to the joint.
A SMAS facelift can help with the sagging face, and may potentially improve facial symmetry. Facelift surgery will have no effect on your TMJ. The TMJ pain is commonly treated with soft diet, mouth guard...
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New York Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1
TMJ not influenced by any type of plastic surgery
TMJ is a tough problem, and I recommend you get evaluated by an oral surgeon. Unfortunately, no plastic surgery procedure will influence this problem - treatment may include bite blocks and splinting, and efforts to prevent grinding your teeth at night.
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SMAS Facelift will not help TMJ
The SMAS is a layer of muscle that plastic surgeons use as their strength layer in a Facelift. The Facelift will reposition soft tissue on the face.
All faces are asymmetrical. Yours probably more so due to trauma. The Facelift may help reposition tissue. They are rarely covered by insurance.
The TMJ issue will not be helped by repositioning of the soft tissue.
+1
SMAS lift and TMJ
A SMAS Lift for facelift tightens and redistributes soft tissue of the face to improve the facial contour. It will not do anything for your TMJ, this is a deeper problem.
+1
Two Sides of Face Different
Both sides of face are usually different. I don't think it is related to your TMJ. A facelift can be used to correct some of the asymmetry between two sides. However, facelift will not effect the clenching issue. Insurance will usually not cover facelift unless it is related to Bell's palsy and only one side is done.
Regards
Bedminster Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1
Facelift will have no effect on TMJ, no insurance coverage available
I agree with the previous comments. A facelift, including SMAS facelift will have no effect on your TMJ. It will not reposition your jawbone or effect the way the muscle work on your joint. For this reason, there is no medical justification for a facelift which is considered purely cosmetic and insurance companies will not cover it for a medical condition.
+1
Face lifting, recovery from surgery, surgery preparation, SMAS lift
Dear ICIirisheyes
No, a face lift- no matter the technique will help your TMJ problem. A faclift is for facial shaping and despite the discussion of 'muscle tightening' the facial muscles do not change with the surgery.
Botox may help with the muscle tension and can help with TMJ symptoms in some people.
With Warm Regards,
Trevor M Born MD
+1
Different target tissue
Face lift procedures do not address the muscles of the jaw but the skin and fascia. The muscles of the jaw are much deeper. So facelift will not help.
+1
SMAS Lift won't help TMJ
The TMJ is a joint and not affected by any type of facelift. If you have more skin on one side than the other, a facelift can remove the excess, but will not help your TMJ. See a good dentist or oral surgeon to evaluate your problem.
