If you’re experiencing facial swelling, restricted jaw movement, and severe pain, you could have a dislocated jaw. However, it isn’t always easy to tell, which is why you need to see a dental physician as soon as possible. This is a common issue for people who have been in an accident or experienced facial trauma. Show
Fortunately, OMSH can provide an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment options – regardless of what type of jaw condition you have. Is There a Difference Between a Broken Jaw and a Dislocated Jaw?Yes! In fact, a broken jaw can have misalignment, but a misalignment may not necessarily be due to a jaw fracture. Common symptoms of both a dislocated and broken jaw include:
Each condition is not limited to those four symptoms, though. Here’s how to tell them apart.
What Causes a Dislocated Jaw?Besides traumatic injury, simply opening the mouth too wide can lead to dislocation, which can happen while:
You can even dislocate your jaw during a dental procedure. How Jaw Dislocation and Misalignment DifferAnother painful jaw condition with symptoms similar to jaw dislocation is jaw misalignment. While dislocation occurs from trauma or opening too wide, misalignment is typically caused by anatomy. The muscles of the head and neck become strained if the teeth and jaws don’t line up properly during development. The result is pain, swelling, lockjaw, and discomfort while chewing. Treatment Options for a Broken, Dislocated, or Misaligned JawWhatever jaw condition you have, our professional team at OMSH has the experience to treat any condition. After a careful examination, we’ll discuss your unique situation and recommend only the best treatment options. Broken Jaw TreatmentA mild fracture doesn’t require surgical treatment. It simply needs time to heal on its own. Your surgical team, however, will recommend/prescribe pain medications and a soft diet. On the other hand, severe fractures require immediate surgical treatment. Depending on the severity, a procedure may require metal plates and wires to help keep the jaw in place during healing. Dislocated Jaw TreatmentAlso, for a dislocated jaw, it will require immediate treatment. Your oral surgeon will manually reposition the jaw. You may also need to wear a Barton bandage around your head for added stability. In some cases, an oral maxillofacial surgeon will recommend surgery. This is particularly the case for patients who have repeated dislocations. Your surgeon can reduce the size of jaw ligaments as a solution for keeping the jaw in place. This also helps prevent future dislocation. Misaligned Jaw TreatmentA misaligned jaw can be treated with surgical realignment, orthodontics, or tooth extractions. OMSH Can Help You Find Relief from Dislocated Jaw PainPatients remain confident and assured of our extensive training and year of professional experience. In fact, this is how most patients benefit from keeping happy healthy smiles. We will accurately diagnose your jaw condition and provide a treatment plan that fits your exact needs. Whether you need jaw surgery or an alternative treatment, we’re here to help. If you’re in the greater Houston area, give us a call at 713-804-6055 for information, or to schedule an appointment. Broken jaws are often the result of an accident or injury. These fractures mostly affect your lower jaw or mandible, although you may have other facial fractures. A dislocated jaw pops out of a temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Some broken or dislocated jaws heal with minor treatment. Severe jaw injuries may require wiring your jaw shut for a few weeks.
OverviewWhat is the jawbone?Your jawbone keeps your teeth in place and helps you speak, chew and swallow. It consists of an upper jawbone (maxilla) and a lower jawbone (mandible). You can move the lower jawbone forward, backward and sideways, but the upper jawbone doesn’t move. The jawbone is part of the skeletal system. What is a broken or dislocated jaw?Like other bones in the body, the jawbone can experience a fracture (broken bone). You can also dislocate the jawbone. A dislocation means the lower jawbone moves out of one of the two temporomandibular joints (TMJ) that connect the mandible to the skull. Both conditions can cause pain and make it difficult or impossible to talk or eat. A dislocated or broken jaw can also affect breathing. These medical emergencies require prompt evaluation and treatment. A fracture or dislocation most often affects the lower jawbone. Fractures can occur in the:
An upper jawbone fracture often happens along with other facial fractures like the cheekbone (zygomaticomaxillary or ZMC fracture) or eye socket (orbital fracture). Broken jaws are second to broken noses as the most common type of facial fracture. Symptoms and CausesWhat causes a broken jaw?Most broken jaws are the result of:
What causes a dislocated jaw?People with TMJ disorders and conditions that cause loose tissues and joints (like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome) may be more likely to dislocate the jaw. It’s also possible to dislocate a jaw while:
What are the symptoms of a broken or dislocated jaw?A broken or dislocated jaw tends to be very painful. You may also have:
Diagnosis and TestsHow is a broken or dislocated jaw diagnosed?Your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam to assess the injury. You may also get these diagnostic tests:
Management and TreatmentWhat are the treatments for a broken jaw?Treatments for a broken jaw depend on the severity of the injury. Mild fractures may heal on their own. You’ll need to eat a soft diet or liquid diet while the jawbone heals. More serious fractures require surgery. Your healthcare provider may:
What are the treatments for a dislocated jaw?Your healthcare provider may perform a closed reduction (nonsurgical) treatment. In this procedure, your provider manually moves your jaw back into place. You receive a local anesthetic to numb the area. You may also have a muscle relaxant or sedative to keep you comfortable during the procedure. If you are prone to jaw dislocations, your provider may recommend surgery. Surgery can shorten the ligaments that connect the jawbone to the skull. The procedure tightens the connection to the temporomandibular joint. What should I expect during recovery?While recovering from a dislocated or broken jaw, you may:
When healing is complete, your healthcare provider may recommend exercises to strengthen the jaw. PreventionHow can I prevent a broken or dislocated jaw?Often, there isn’t a way to prevent the accidents and injuries that cause broken or dislocated jaws. You may lower your risk of facial fractures by wearing:
Outlook / PrognosisWhat are the complications of a dislocated or broken jaw?A dislocated or broken jawbone requires immediate medical attention. A severely broken jawbone can affect your breathing, especially if there are other facial fractures. If you have surgery to wire your jaws shut, you should carry wire cutters with you at all times. You may need to cut the wire if you feel like you are choking or feel the urge to vomit. Living WithWhen should I call the doctor?You should call your healthcare provider if you experience:
What questions should I ask my doctor?You may want to ask your healthcare provider:
A note from Cleveland Clinic Most people heal from dislocated or broken jaws, although a full recovery may take a few months. It’s important to follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations during recovery. You may need to eat a soft diet, take care while brushing teeth and not open the mouth wide. You may be more prone to jaw dislocations after the problem happens once. Your provider can offer suggestions to prevent future jaw dislocations and fractures. Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Print Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 11/01/2021. References
Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information  Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy Related Institutes & ServicesHead & Neck InstituteOur providers specialize in head and neck surgery and oncology; facial plastic and reconstructive surgery; general otolaryngology; laryngology; otology, neurotology and lateral skull base disorders; pediatric otolaryngology; rhinology, sinus and skull base surgery; surgical sleep; dentistry and oral and maxillofacial surgery; and allied hearing, speech and balance services. Related Institutes & ServicesHead & Neck InstituteOur providers specialize in head and neck surgery and oncology; facial plastic and reconstructive surgery; general otolaryngology; laryngology; otology, neurotology and lateral skull base disorders; pediatric otolaryngology; rhinology, sinus and skull base surgery; surgical sleep; dentistry and oral and maxillofacial surgery; and allied hearing, speech and balance services. More health news + infoShow More
Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram LinkedIn Pinterest Snapchat ActionsAppointments & AccessAccepted InsuranceEvents CalendarFinancial AssistanceGive to Cleveland ClinicPay Your Bill OnlineRefer a PatientPhone DirectoryVirtual Second OpinionsVirtual VisitsBlog, News & AppsConsult QDHealth EssentialsNewsroomMyClevelandClinicMyChartAbout Cleveland Clinic100 Years of Cleveland ClinicAbout UsLocationsQuality & Patient SafetyOffice of Diversity & InclusionPatient ExperienceResearch & InnovationsCommunity CommitmentCareersFor EmployeesResources for Medical ProfessionalsSite Information & PoliciesSend Us FeedbackSite MapAbout this WebsiteCopyright, Reprint & LicensingWebsite Terms of UsePrivacy PolicyNotice of Privacy PracticesNon-Discrimination Notice9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 | 800.223.2273 | © 2023 Cleveland Clinic. All Rights Reserved. Can dislocated jaw fix itself?The outlook for broken or dislocated jaws varies depending on the severity of the injury. A minor break can often heal on its own without the need for medical intervention. More severe breaks will probably require supportive medical devices around the jaw. The healing process can take several weeks or months.
Can you slightly dislocate your jaw?You might think that it's opening your jaw too wide that causes dislocation, and that can be the case, but dislocation can also be caused by closing your jaw. If your muscles don't work in the proper sequence, they can dislocate your jaw as they try to close it.
How do you know if jaw is out of place?What symptoms relate to a dislocated jaw?. pain in the TMJ joint that gets worse when you move your jaw.. changes to your bite — your teeth don't line up properly.. problems with talking.. being unable to move the jaw or close your mouth properly.. difficulty speaking or swallowing.. drooling.. How do you pop your jaw back into place?After wrapping their fingers with gauze, doctors or dentists place their thumbs inside the mouth on the lower back teeth. They place their other fingers around the bottom of the lower jaw. They press down on the back teeth and push the chin up until the jaw joints return to their normal location.
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How can i tell if my jaw is dislocated
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