Linkou Chang Gung Hospital utilizes minimally invasive surgery for TMJ relief

Medical professionals at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital have successfully treated a 19-year-old woman who suffered from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and difficulty opening her mouth for two years after biting hard food. The patient had previously failed to find relief through occlusion splints and joint flushing.

Dr. Lin Yen-hung, director of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, highlighted the success of a minimally invasive endoscopic disc repositioning and suturing surgery. This technique uses three 3mm incisions—two on the face and one in the external auditory canal—allowing surgeons to use an endoscope and proprietary instruments to reposition the displaced disc and use lasers to clear inflammation and adhesions.

Clinical data released by the hospital indicates a 97% success rate for this procedure across 417 cases completed by late 2025. Research published in international medical journals suggests that laser-assisted surgery increases the probability of successful disc repositioning by 4.4 times compared to traditional methods, and early treatment increases success rates by 5.9 times compared to late-stage intervention.

Doctors advise patients to avoid chewing hard foods or gum, maintain good posture, and seek medical attention if they experience joint clicking, chewing pain, or difficulty opening the mouth, rather than dismissing symptoms as stress-related.