Jaw dislocation happens when your lower jaw is pulled apart from one or both joints that connect the lower jaw to the base of the skull. This jaw bone joint is called the temporomandibular joint. Your TMJ includes your joint, jaw muscle, and ligaments that work together to allow you to open and close your mouth. Jaw dislocation is a very painful and unsettling experience and requires medical assistance as soon as possible.
Symptoms of dislocated jaw
There are numerous symptoms and signs to indicate a dislocated jaw. Here are a few of them:
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Pain in the TMJ joint that becomes worse when you try to move your jaw
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A sharp, cracking sound resonating directly against the eardrum
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Mild to chronic headaches, muscle tension, or pain in the face, jaw, and neck
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Bleeding from the mouth due to fracture
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Pain or swelling in the face
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Difficulty in chewing
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Difficulty in speaking
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Misaligned teeth
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Your jaw looks lopsided
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Locked jaw
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Drooling
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Shop our clear aligners now!Causes of dislocated jaw
There are multiple minor to major causes that contribute to dislocating a jaw. Given below are some of them:
Injury or trauma
Sometimes, a minor accident can have drastic impacts. The sudden impact can send your jaw off the track. Accidents, a strong punch to the face, or an injury during sports dislocates your jaw and pops it out of place.
Excessive mouth opening
Your little actions can give you lifetime lessons. Yawning for example is a simple and natural action but if the mouth is opened too much, it pushes the jaw beyond its limit. To your surprise, let us tell you that you can also dislocate your jaw while eating burgers, and sandwiches because big bites force your mouth to open widely leading to jaw dislocation.
Excessive talking and speaking
Who could have thought that the TMJ joint could also be dislocated by talking or singing excessively? Vocalists and public speakers who frequently open their mouths wide may experience jaw strain, making dislocation more likely.
Weak or hypermobile TMJ
Some people have weak or loose TMJ due to genetics, previous dislocations, and connective tissue disorders. These people are more prone to dislocation. In these people, jaw dislocation becomes a frequent problem.
Dental or medical procedures
Some dental or medical procedures can trigger jaw dislocation. How ironic, right? During dental procedures, you sometimes have to keep your mouth wide open for a long time, which overstretches the TMJ and leads to dislocation. Intubation during surgeries can also force the jaw into an unnatural position.
Medical Conditions
Serious medical conditions like seizures or Parkinson's disease cause sudden forceful contraction of the muscle and may push the jaw out of place.
Steps to be taken immediately
If you suspect jaw dislocation, don't try to fix it yourself as this can worsen the injury. Seek medical assistance immediately. To avoid any future complications, the sooner you see the doctor, the better. Use your hand or loose bandage to hold the jaw in place until the doctor arrives or you reach the hospital. The doctor may do an x-ray to determine the gap between your skull base and TMJ.
Treatment options
A dislocated jaw is a serious issue and should be treated urgently. Several treatment options are available, ranging from immediate first aid to medical interventions and even long-term prevention.
Reduction
A healthcare professional performs manual reduction in case of acute jaw dislocation. If the jaw dislocation is persistent, surgical reduction is considered. This is done under anesthesia to avoid pain and muscle spasms. This involves manually manipulating your jaw back into place. This is done in case of acute injury and by a professional.
According to a study, up to 30% of all temporomandibular joint dislocations presented to physicians are persistent dislocations
Injections
In case of recurrent jaw displacement, minimally invasive techniques (botulinum toxin injection, autologous blood injection, prolotherapy) are considered. However, long-term outcomes are often not satisfactory, and eventually, invasive surgical management is required.
The incidence of recurrence after initial dislocation is 22% according to this literature.
Surgery
Delaying treatment can make the reduction process less effective. In that case, surgery is required. The surgery tightens the connection between your jawbone and your temporomandibular joint by shortening the ligaments that connect your jawbone to your skull or providing a free pathway for self-reduction.
Pain relief
Jaw dislocation is a very painful experience that's why, the doctor will recommend some painkillers and relaxants to reduce the discomfort. Moreover, after you have undergone the reduction procedure or surgery, you will experience some soreness and pain. In this case, medications can help.
Aftercare
After the treatment, giving yourself the healing time is the best way to take care of yourself. It may take a few months for your jaw to heal completely. Doctors recommend soft foods and restrict jaw movement to allow your jaw to recover properly.
Prevention tips
You may not be able to avoid the dislocation of the jaw that happens because of sudden accidents or falls but the ones that are caused by wide opening of your mouth can be prevented.
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Don't open your mouth too wide for eating or excessive talking or singing.
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To avoid mandibular dislocation, avoid yawning too widely.
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Avoid gum chewing if you have TMJ disorders or any related issues.
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If you have had any previous experiences of jaw dislocation, hold a hand under your chin when yawning to prevent your mouth from expanding too far.
Conclusion
Jaw dislocation is a serious medical emergency that should be treated immediately to avoid any future hassle. A displaced jaw can cause various complications, including teeth and gum issues. Caspersmile knows the importance of healthy teeth and gums, so we have made clear aligners for people with misaligned teeth due to an unhinged jaw. So, if you are experiencing this issue, contact us, and let us help you get a healthy smile.
FAQs
How do I fix a dislocated jaw?
A dislocated jaw can be fixed primarily with the reduction method. The doctor might recommend surgery in severe cases or if the jaw is not fixed timely.
Can a dislocated jaw heal by itself?
A mandibular dislocation may heal on its own but it can cause complications in the future which will require medical assistance.
Why does jaw dislocation happen?
Jaw dislocation often happens due to an accident, a bad fall, or a strong punch. Other factors include opening your mouth widely while eating, talking, or yawning.
How can you tell if your jaw is dislocated?
Multiple signs indicate jaw dislocation. These signs include pain in the TMJ joint which gets worse when you move your jaw, misalignment of teeth, having problems while eating and talking, swelling, or drooling.
References
Colgate. (2024, February 12). Dislocation of the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ).
https://www.colgate.com/en-gb/oral-health/temporomandibular-disorder/dislocation-of-the-temporomandibular-joint-tmj
Prechel U, Ottl P, Ahlers OM, Neff A. The Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Dislocation. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2018 Feb 2;115(5):59-64. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2018.0059. PMID: 29439762; PMCID: PMC5817180.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5817180/#fn-group1
Healthdirect Australia. (2023, March 14). Jaw dislocation. Symptoms, Treatment and Self-care | Healthdirect.
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/jaw-dislocation Jaw dislocation. (2021, July 19). https://exodontia.info/jaw-dislocation/
