In this episode, Dr. Bobek and Dr. Wasson are joined by Dr. Moe Hakim, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon based in Arlington, Virginia. Dr. Hakim's practice focuses on TMJ surgery and orthognathic surgery, and he has been publishing on arthroscopic outcomes and PRF in the TMJ space.

Topics covered in this episode:

• Whether open joint surgery still has a place in contemporary TMJ practice
• Arthrocentesis vs. arthroscopy: are they equivalent, and when does it matter
• Level 3 arthroscopy and discopexy: indications, outcomes, and why Dr. Hakim does it less than he used to
• PRF for painful clicks and crepitus: how he uses it and what his outcomes look like
• The disc displacement obsession and why disc position may matter less than we think
• Acute vs. chronic closed lock and how the duration changes the surgical approach
• The role of orofacial pain specialists in the TMJ care pathway
• Regional and institutional variation in how TMJ surgery is perceived and practiced
• Why "surgery is a last resort" framing is worth examining

Dr. Hakim's Instagram: @thetmjandjawsurgeon

📬 Questions or topic suggestions: [email protected]

The Down Fracture Podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. All opinions expressed are solely those of the hosts and their guests.