I have had TMJ for almost 20 years.  Other than surgery, the night brace is about all they can do for you, except for prescribing you anti-inflammatories.  Mine does not bother me all of the time, but when it does, it really gets painful.  It can cause earaches, headaches and sinus problems.  It can really be a painful condition, at times.

I do not wear my nightguard every night and my teeth do not line up either, but it is something you have to ask yourself, do you want to have to wear this thing that they are making you and take a pill occasionally, or do you want to take a chance on surgery, that may not even help.

Mine is severe and I do not have to take pills for it all of the time or wear my nightguard every night and when I first received mine to wear, I was in a lot of pain, but after wearing it almost constantly, for a while, it became less painful and I did not have to wear it as much.

I hope this answer helped you somewhat and you are now at peace with some of the anxiousness that can get to you about this situation.

T*KAY