Jaw dislocation: Causes and Solutions

Jaw dislocation is a very impressive (and painful) yet benign trauma. A “simple” manipulation is enough to put the temporomandibular joint back in place, but it requires urgent action, if only to stop the pain. Nutrident. explains you how to understand what happens to you in case of jaw dislocation and what to do.

What is jaw dislocation

The mandible (lower jaw) that allows us to open and close our mouths is fixed in the temporal bone of the skull at the temporomandibular joint. A dislocation occurs when the temporal bone dislocates from its support, the temporal bone, just in front of the ear.

Dislocation occurs as a result of an impact. It could be an accident of any kind: a fall, a car accident, trauma during a contact sport, etc. Excessive yawning or a laughing fit can exceptionally lead to dislocation.

How to recognize jaw dislocation

How to recognize a dislocation of the jaw? Through pain! This is often instantaneous, however, in the case of an accident causing several traumas, the influx of pain can put the dislocation pain in the background.

In addition to the intense pain, you will not be able to operate your jaw, which means that you cannot open and close your mouth as you wish. Of course, there is no question of feeding you and you will find it very difficult to speak.

How to reset a dislocated jaw

You have no choice but to act quickly, as a dislocated jaw is extremely disabling. On the other hand, it is important to proceed before the muscles contract and make the maneuver more delicate and painful.

To put your mandible back in place, you don't have to go to a dentist. A general practitioner can do thisJust like a physiotherapist or an osteopath. The practitioner performs the manipulation without local anesthesia. It takes a few seconds to release the condyle (the end of the mandible that fits into the temporal bone) and put it back in place.

Here is a video explaining how to unblock a blocked jaw (we recommend seeing a dentist or your doctor, and not doing this alone at home):

Care after the mandible has been repositioned

You must take care of your jaw in the days following the dislocation. Prefer soft, even liquid food, so as not to force yourself. Muscles, tendons and ligaments have been distended and must be returned to their normal position. That's why you need to spare them by limiting your speech and not opening your mouth wide.

There is a kind of bandage that hinders the opening of the mouth, in order to restrict its amplitude. Wearing one for a week is a wise precaution to avoid the risk of reproducing the dislocation and to avoid any after-effects. There are also gutters that can be worn temporarily.

In case of recurrence

People who are prone to recurrent dislocations sometimes need TMJ surgery. Recurrence may be due to premature wear of the joint.

The surgeon then decides which technique to adopt according to the X-rays which show whether the meniscus of the joint should be freed (temporomandibular arthroscopy), displaced, or replaced (temporomandibular arthrotomy) by a prosthesis.

He can also intervene on the joint by creating a stop that prevents dislocation.