🦷 Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Aftercare
TMJ Surgery Aftercare Instructions
A day-by-day recovery guide for tmj surgery: what to expect, how to care for yourself, and when to call. Free to read and print.
Typical recovery: about 30 daysOral & Maxillofacial Surgery
What to expect
TMJ Management
- •TMJ disorders are often managed long-term, not cured
- •Consistent night guard use prevents damage from grinding
- •Stress management can significantly reduce symptoms
TMJ Surgery recovery, day by day
Day 0 (Treatment Day)
After Treatment
- If a night guard was fitted, wear it as directed (usually every night)
- If injections were given, numbness will wear off in 1-3 hours
- Jaw may feel sore from the appointment itself
Immediate Relief
- Apply moist heat or ice to the jaw joint (whichever feels better)
- Soft foods only for the rest of the day
- Avoid wide yawning or prolonged chewing
Day 1-14
Jaw Rest & Exercises
- Perform prescribed jaw exercises 2-3 times daily
- Soft diet: avoid chewy, hard, or crunchy foods
- Avoid gum chewing, nail biting, and teeth clenching
- Practice keeping lips together, teeth apart during the day
- Apply heat or ice for 15-20 minutes as needed
Lifestyle
- Reduce stress (a common trigger for jaw clenching)
- Avoid resting chin on your hand
- Sleep on your back or side (not face-down)
- Wear night guard every night if provided
When to call your provider or 911
- •Jaw locks in open or closed position
- •Sudden inability to open mouth
- •Severe pain with swelling
- •Clicking/popping with intense pain (vs. mild clicking which is common)
When in doubt, call your clinic. For a medical emergency, call 911.
Recovery milestones
- Day 7
Symptom assessment
Note if jaw pain and clicking are improving
- Day 30
Exercise compliance check
Jaw exercises should be part of daily routine
For clinics
Stop photocopying aftercare sheets.
QR Rx sends this exact tmj surgery recovery plan to every patient, branded to your practice, opened by a QR code. It checks in automatically, answers post-op questions, asks for a review at the right moment, and brings patients back for their next visit. The aftercare you already owe every patient, doing the work of keeping them.
HIPAA compliant. No credit card. Cancel anytime.