Missing Bone in TMJ

[Tammy2009]

I just had my first orthoganic surgery consult and found out I basically have a hole in my right TMJ where there is no bone.  I'm unsure of what would cause this and if there is anything to do to help it.  

Because of my jaw joints, we probably will step back, take braces off and use a splint to try and relax the muscles.  My surgen says he won't touch my jaw for surgery until the muscles are relaxed and my pain and joints settle down.  

So, is this just a complication of TMD and severe clenching at night?

[Tammy2009]

Thank you so much.  I know my orthodonist sent my CT scan all the way down to Texas to have a specialist radiologist to look at it.  So I guess I get to wait until the report comes back to (hopefully) find out what it is.  

I would assume it is inflammatory since I had a major flare-up in september and it makes sense (my whole face was swollen because my jaw muscles were so spastic).

And pray it's not a neoplasm!  

[scottma]

Your descriptions suggest thath there is a radiolucent lesion involving right side of mandible. if there is no history of trauma, the lesion may be imflammatory or neoplastic in nature. TMD generally is not reponsible for the occurence of a neoplasm.