Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Surgeries in Turkey

To understand what the TMJ is, imagine a door hinge, only much more complicated. While a regular hinge only moves in one direction, the TMJ works like a universal joint. It allows the jaw to open and close, move back and forth, and from side to side.

The main functions of TMJ include:

• chewing;
• speech;
• swallowing;
• facial expressions.

The temporomandibular joints work in pairs (right and left), like synchronized mechanisms. When one of the “mechanisms” breaks down, the entire system suffers. Pain, clicking, and limited movement appear. That is why this small but important joint deserves special attention.

Important to know! If the jaw clicks or crunches without pain, this is normal and does not require treatment.

Signs that should alert you:

• The jaw hurts when moving, it is difficult to open the mouth or chew. The muscles around the joint are tense and painful.
• The pain spreads to the neck, face, back of the head. It can be dull, aching or sharp.
• The mouth does not open completely, the jaw can “stick” or lock in a certain position.
• The presence of crunching, clicking or grinding, accompanied by pain when opening and closing the mouth.
• There is congestion, noise, ringing in the ears, sometimes dizziness. This occurs due to the close location of the joint to the ear.

Problems with TMJ can only be identified by a doctor during an in-person examination. The doctor will assess the range of motion of the jaw by palpating the joint and periarticular muscles.

According to authoritative clinical guidelines (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, NICE, UK), indications for TMJ surgery are strictly limited to the following cases:

• severe structural pathology of the joint, confirmed by MRI or CT (e.g. severe degenerative changes, ankylosis, tumors);
• significant loss of function (inability to open the mouth, severe limitations in everyday life);
• ineffectiveness of full-fledged conservative treatment for at least 3-6 months.

It is important to understand: surgery is not the first choice. According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), only 5-10% of patients with TMJ disorders require surgery. In most cases, conservative treatment, such as physical therapy, drug therapy or lifestyle modification, is sufficient. Turkish doctors always start with non-surgical methods. And only if they do not help, they prescribe surgery.

Three main reasons to choose Turkey for TMJ surgery:

• high level of medicine;
• modern equipment;
• experienced maxillofacial surgeons.

In Turkish clinics, doctors perform minimally invasive and arthroscopic interventions, use rapid rehabilitation protocols, and the cost of treatment is 40-60% lower than in the USA and Europe. Jaw joint surgery in Turkey is the optimal combination of quality, price, and comfort.

The average cost of TMJ surgery in Turkey varies depending on the complexity of the intervention, but in general remains significantly lower than in Western Europe and the USA. For single-jaw surgeries, the price is usually between €3,500 and €5,500, and for more complex double-jaw surgeries, the price is between €5,000 and €8,000. In the US or Europe, these surgeries can cost between $20,000 and $50,000.

The cost of TMJ surgery in Turkey usually includes not only the surgery itself, but also a whole package of additional services. As a rule, it includes consultations with a doctor before and after the surgery, all necessary tests and diagnostics, anesthesia, hospital stay, meals during hospitalization, postoperative monitoring, and basic rehabilitation.

To avoid having to think through every stage of your trip to Turkey on your own and not expose yourself to unnecessary stress, entrust the organization of your treatment to BeBest by Experts Medical. Our team has been helping patients receive high-quality medical services in foreign clinics for over 10 years. We will do everything for you: select a clinic, contact a doctor, prepare medical documents, organize a transfer, provide an interpreter, and support you throughout your stay in Turkey.

This is an important question, as many patients do face unexpected expenses when coming to Turkey for TMJ treatment. To avoid this, contact BeBest by Experts Medical. We guarantee that you will pay directly to the doctor or at the clinic’s cash desk. This eliminates any hidden payments. Cooperation with us also allows to avoid the risk of an unexpected price increase. That is, the treatment will definitely not be more expensive than initially stated, and in some cases, due to affiliate programs, we can offer special conditions.

Turkish clinics perform all modern types of temporomandibular joint surgeries. Treatment is selected individually, based on the diagnosis and the degree of complexity of the disorder.

TMJ arthroscopy

Arthroscopic surgery allows the doctor to examine the joint from the inside through small punctures and perform minimally invasive treatment. Advantages: fast rehabilitation, minimal risk of complications.

Open surgeries

When minimally invasive methods are ineffective, an open surgery is performed. The operating surgeon gains direct access to the joint to restore or replace damaged structures. In Turkey, these interventions are performed by experienced specialists, taking into account modern international recommendations.

Osteotomy

If the problem is skeletal in nature (for example, severe jaw asymmetry or pathological bite), an osteotomy, a surgical change in the position of the bones, is performed. This operation allows to restore the function and aesthetics of the lower jaw.

Implantation of joint prostheses

In cases of severe destruction of the TMJ, special titanium or ceramic implants are used to replace the joint. These operations are performed according to the standards of leading international professional societies (for example, the International Association for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, IAOMS).

Before TMJ surgery in Turkey, you need to undergo a full examination: get a consultation with a maxillofacial surgeon, do an MRI or CT scan of the joint, and take the necessary tests. A week before the procedure, it is recommended to stop taking medications that affect blood clotting (only with the consent of a doctor), exclude alcohol and smoking. On the eve of the surgery, it is necessary to take a light dinner, in the morning on the day of the surgery, do not eat or drink. It is also worth discussing the details of postoperative recovery with your doctor in advance.

Recovery after TMJ surgery is gradual. In the first days, swelling, pain and limited mouth opening are possible. This is a normal reaction of the body. Most patients return to their usual activities in 1-2 weeks, but complete healing of soft tissues takes up to 4-6 weeks. With osteotomy or other complex interventions, recovery can last 2-3 months. This period includes physiotherapy and adherence to a gentle diet. The final results can be assessed 3-6 months after surgery.

After TMJ surgery, the diet should be soft, gentle, and not requiring active chewing. In the first 5-7 days, Turkish doctors recommend liquid and pureed foods: broths, pureed soups, porridge, and yogurt. Then, soft foods can be gradually introduced – omelets, fish, boiled vegetables. Hard, crunchy, sticky, and hot foods should be avoided so as not to overload the joint. The surgeon may recommend following a special diet for 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the scope of the intervention and the rate of recovery.

Physiotherapy and rehabilitation are mandatory after TMJ surgery to fully restore joint function and reduce pain. The complex of rehabilitation measures includes:

• therapeutic exercises for the chewing and neck muscles;
• massage;
• use of thermal procedures;
• kinesitherapy;
• physiotherapeutic methods (laser therapy, magnetic therapy, shock wave therapy) to relieve muscle spasms, improve microcirculation and tissue regeneration.

A 2025 study by Portuguese maxillofacial surgeon David Angelo showed that it is the systemic rehabilitation approach after arthroscopy and other interventions that ensures high patient satisfaction and reduces the need for repeated surgeries. Rehabilitation begins in the first days after surgery with breathing and general strengthening exercises, then more specialized methods are added.

To choose the best clinic and surgeon for TMJ surgery in Turkey, it is important to rely on the reputation of the medical institution and the qualifications of the specialists. BeBest by Experts Medical has been working in the field of organizing treatment abroad for over 10 years. During this time, we have collected our own statistics on the success of specific clinics and doctors specializing in maxillofacial surgery. Based on this data, we can safely call HospitaPrime Сlinic one of the best in Turkey for TMJ surgery.

HospitaPrime in Istanbul has modern equipment (orthopantomograph, cone beam CT scanner, dental arthroscope, etc) for high-quality diagnostics and treatment of TMJ dysfunction. The clinic has international accreditation, which guarantees a high standard of medical care.

Among the best specialists in TMJ surgery are Dr. Eren Pera and Tugce Gurbuzturk.

• Eren Pera specializes in reconstructive surgery of the temporomandibular joint and orthognathic surgeries, has extensive experience in treating complex cases of TMJ dysfunction and deformities using modern minimally invasive and open techniques.
• Tugce Gürbuztürk has deep knowledge in the field of maxillofacial surgery and orthognathic correction, performs complex surgical interventions, including osteotomy and TMJ arthroplasty.

The main criteria by which BeBest by Experts Medical recommends these specialists:

• high level of qualification and successful cases in the treatment of complex TMJ disorders;
• extensive experience and use of advanced technologies in the field of maxillofacial surgery;
• patient support at all stages, from consultation to full recovery.

w is the diagnosis carried out before TMJ surgery in Turkey?

Main types of diagnostic examinations:

• CT to assess the condition of the bone joint structures. It is performed in a closed and open position to assess the joint in motion.
• MRI to assess soft tissues, articular disc, muscles and ligaments. Tomography with functional tests shows disorders in dynamics.

Specialist consultations:

• Maxillofacial surgeon;
• Gnathologist (specialist in diseases of the maxillofacial region);
• Additional specialists if necessary: dentist, neurologist, anesthesiologist.

Additional examinations:

• Panoramic X-ray of the jaws;
• Blood tests;
• ECG.

On average, a stay in Turkey for TMJ surgery takes from 7 to 14 days. Usually 1-2 days are spent on preoperative diagnostics and preparation, followed by hospitalization for 1-3 days, depending on the scope of the intervention. The rest of the time is required for initial recovery and follow-up examinations. In complex cases or combined surgeries, the stay in Turkey can last up to 3 weeks.

The following complications are possible after TMJ surgery:

• infection in the area of intervention;
• swelling and pain;
• impaired sensitivity due to nerve damage;
• limited joint movement;
• failure or displacement of implants during prosthetics.

In rare cases, bleeding or hemorrhage may occur. With a highly qualified surgeon and proper performance of the surgery, the risk of complications is minimized.

At BeBest by Experts Medical, we accompany the patient not only during the preparation and surgery stages, but also until complete recovery. The coordinating physician remains in touch, is ready to answer any questions and promptly respond to possible postoperative complications. Our goal is to provide the patient with maximum comfort and confidence at every stage of treatment.

In most cases, TMJ surgeries are performed through small incisions inside the mouth or in natural skin folds, which helps to avoid visible scars. Even with external access, Turkish surgeons make incisions carefully, using gentle suturing techniques. With proper care after the intervention, scars are usually invisible or completely disappear over time.

This question certainly worries patients who are going to go to this country for TMJ surgery. The field of maxillofacial surgery in Turkey is actively developing and confidently occupies one of the leading places in the world.

Thus, according to data for 2013-2023, the country has taken second place after the United States in the number of scientific publications devoted to TMJ issues. This achievement is especially significant given that Turkey has half as many universities, 208 versus more than 4,000 in the United States. This scientific interest indicates a high level of academic engagement and the constant growth of expertise of Turkish specialists in this field.

Training of maxillofacial surgeons in Turkey requires 4-5 years of specialized training after receiving a dental education. Thanks to this, local specialists have a sufficient level of competence to perform a wide range of interventions, from minimally invasive arthroscopy to complex reconstructive surgeries and implantation. All this confirms that maxillofacial surgery in Turkey is based not only on modern technical equipment, but also on a solid educational and scientific platform.

Many clinics specializing in TMJ surgery in Turkey are accredited by the international JCI standard, which confirms the high quality of medical care and patient safety. In addition, a number of medical centers comply with European clinical protocols (ESMO, EFORT, EACMFS) and participate in international specialist training programs, which ensures compliance with current standards for TMJ diagnosis and treatment in Turkey.

To get TMJ surgery in Turkey, just take one simple step, call or write to us. The BeBest by Experts Medical team carefully analyzes each case and provides patients with an individual treatment plan with a detailed description of all procedures and a transparent price.

The experience accumulated over 10 years allows us to avoid typical mistakes and choose the specialist who can achieve the best result for your diagnosis. BeBest by Experts Medical cooperates only with proven doctors who have confirmed success statistics, and also knows the specifics of each clinic very well. Therefore, we can offer you the best option based on real data, and not on advertising promises.

BeBest by Experts Medical takes care of the entire process of organizing the trip and treatment, freeing you from stress and unnecessary hassle. The support team remains in touch 24/7. We quickly answer all questions and immediately respond to any unforeseen situations. A certified coordinator-physician accompanies the patient at all stages, including the postoperative period, when professional assistance is especially important. Contacting BeBest by Experts Medical is a reliable and comfortable choice for those planning TMJ surgery in Turkey.

Sources

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tmj/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350945
2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10456345/
3. https://www.baoms.org.uk/patients/procedures/45/temporomandibular_joint_replacement_surgery
4. https://www.verywellhealth.com/tmj-surgery-4172982