Central Lakes, Dunedin - South Otago, Southland, Waitaki > Private Hospitals & Specialists > Mercy Healthcare >
Mercy Hospital Dunedin - Oral Surgery
Private Surgical Service, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral Surgery Specialist, Paediatric Dentist
This is where you will come to have your surgery performed. The visits to your surgeon before and after surgery will be at their consulting rooms.
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Surgery
Arthroscopic: several small incisions (cuts) are made over the joint in front of the ear. A small telescopic instrument with a tiny camera attached (arthroscope) is inserted, allowing the surgeon a view of the joint. Small instruments can be inserted into the other cuts to free up the joint by e.g. removing adhesions and scarring, or repositioning a disc.
Arthroplasty (Open Surgery): an incision is made in front of the ear, giving the surgeon access to reconstruct the joint by e.g. smoothing joint surfaces, repairing discs or removing diseased tissue. If a joint replacement is necessary, a second incision under the angle of the jaw may be required.
