A broken jaw is a break in the jaw bone. A dislocated jaw means the lower part of the jaw has moved out of its normal position at one or both joints where the jaw bone connects to the skull (temporomandibular joints).
Alternative NamesDislocated jaw; Fractured jaw; Broken jaw
ConsiderationsA broken or dislocated jaw usually heals completely after treatment. However, the jaw may become dislocated again in the future.
Complications may include:
The most common cause of a broken or dislocated jaw is injury to the face. This may be due to:
Symptoms of a dislocated jaw include:
Symptoms of a fractured (broken) jaw include:
A broken or dislocated jaw requires immediate medical attention because of the risk of breathing problems or significant bleeding. Call your local emergency number (such as 911) or local hospital for further advice.
Hold the jaw gently in place with your hands while traveling to the emergency room. A bandage may also be wrapped over the top of the head and under the jaw. However, such a bandage should be easily removable in case you need to vomit.
If breathing problems or heavy bleeding occurs, or if there is severe facial swelling, a tube may be placed into your airways to help you breathe.
DISLOCATED JAW
If the jaw is dislocated, the health care provider may be able to place it back into the correct position using the thumbs. Numbing medications (anesthetics) and muscle relaxants may be needed to relax the strong jaw muscles.
The jaw may need to be stabilized. This usually involves bandaging the jaw to keep the mouth from opening widely. In some cases, surgery may be needed to do this, particularly if repeated jaw dislocations occur.
After dislocating your jaw, you should not open your mouth widely for at least 6 weeks. Support your jaw with one or both hands when yawning and sneezing.
FRACTURED JAW
Temporarily bandaging the jaw (around the top of the head) to prevent it from moving may help reduce pain.
The specific treatment for a fractured jaw depends on how badly the bone is broken. If you have a minor fracture, you may only need pain medicines and to follow a soft or liquid diet for a while.
Surgery is often needed for moderate to severe fractures. The jaw may be wired to the teeth of the opposite jaw to improve stability. Jaw wires are usually left in place for 6 - 8 weeks. Small rubber bands (elastics) are used to hold the teeth together. After a few weeks, some of the elastics are removed to allow motion and reduce joint stiffness.
If the jaw is wired, you can only drink liquids or eat very soft foods. Have blunt scissors readily available to cut the elastics in the event of vomiting or choking. If the wires must be cut, consult a health care provider promptly so they can be replaced.
Do NotDo NOT attempt to correct the position of the jaw.
Call immediately for emergency medical assistance ifA broken or dislocated jaw requires immediate medical attention. Emergency symptoms include difficulty breathing or heavy bleeding.
PreventionSafe practices in work, sports, and recreation, such as wearing a proper helmet when playing football, may prevent some accidental injuries to the face or jaw.
A broken jaw is a break in the jaw bone. A dislocated jaw means the lower part of the jaw has moved out of its normal position at one or both joints where the jaw bone connects to the skull (temporomandibular joints).
Alternative NamesDislocated jaw; Fractured jaw; Broken jaw; TMJ dislocation
ConsiderationsA broken or dislocated jaw usually heals completely after treatment. However, the jaw may become dislocated again in the future.
Complications may include:
The most common cause of a broken or dislocated jaw is injury to the face. This may be due to:
Symptoms of a dislocated jaw include:
Symptoms of a fractured (broken) jaw include:
A broken or dislocated jaw requires immediate medical attention because of the risk of breathing problems or significant bleeding. Call your local emergency number (such as 911) or local hospital for further advice.
Hold the jaw gently in place with your hands while traveling to the emergency room. A bandage may also be wrapped over the top of the head and under the jaw. However, such a bandage should be easily removable in case you need to vomit.
If breathing problems or heavy bleeding occurs, or if there is severe facial swelling, a tube may be placed into your airways to help you breathe.
DISLOCATED JAW
If the jaw is dislocated, the health care provider may be able to place it back into the correct position using the thumbs. Numbing medications (anesthetics) and muscle relaxants may be needed to relax the strong jaw muscles.
The jaw may need to be stabilized. This usually involves bandaging the jaw to keep the mouth from opening widely. In some cases, surgery may be needed to do this, particularly if repeated jaw dislocations occur.
After dislocating your jaw, you should not open your mouth widely for at least 6 weeks. Support your jaw with one or both hands when yawning and sneezing.
FRACTURED JAW
Temporarily bandaging the jaw (around the top of the head) to prevent it from moving may help reduce pain.
The specific treatment for a fractured jaw depends on how badly the bone is broken. If you have a minor fracture, you may only need pain medicines and to follow a soft or liquid diet for a while.
Surgery is often needed for moderate to severe fractures. The jaw may be wired to the teeth of the opposite jaw to improve stability. Jaw wires are usually left in place for 6 - 8 weeks. Small rubber bands (elastics) are used to hold the teeth together. After a few weeks, some of the elastics are removed to allow motion and reduce joint stiffness.
If the jaw is wired, you can only drink liquids or eat very soft foods. Have blunt scissors readily available to cut the elastics in the event of vomiting or choking. If the wires must be cut, consult a health care provider promptly so they can be replaced.
Do NotDo NOT attempt to correct the position of the jaw.
Call immediately for emergency medical assistance ifA broken or dislocated jaw requires immediate medical attention. Emergency symptoms include difficulty breathing or heavy bleeding.
PreventionSafe practices in work, sports, and recreation, such as wearing a proper helmet when playing football, may prevent some accidental injuries to the face or jaw.
ReferencesHerrmann HJ. Wilderness dentistry and management of facial injuries. In: Auerbach PS, ed. Wilderness Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2007:chap 26.
Kellman RM. Maxillofacial trauma. In: Cummings CW, Flint PW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2010:chap 23.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 06/04/2011
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Take him to the vet to see if the jaw can be fixed - if it cannot humanely euthanase him.
If the vertebrae slipped the vertebrae 's bone will be dislocated or it might be broken.
snakes don't dislocate there jaw! There jaw looks more like predator than the standard human mandible and maxilla. They also have a very long flexible ligament that helps to swallow large prey. Snakes dislocating there jaw is a misconception made worse by films saying they do when they really don't.
This is the stupidest question ever but i think not
A hamster with a dislocated shoulder is not going to die. He should be taken to the vet, who can pop the shoulder back into place and heal the hamster.
No it is not
Firstly, a doctor will have to reposition the jaw into place by using his/her thumbs. In few situations, surgery would then be proformed on the dislocated jaw and the jaw would have to be secured shut for a minimum of six weeks. In other cases surgery would not take place, although the dislocated jaw would still need to be bandaged.
The lower jaw (mandible) may be dislocated by force.
It's a disease called TMJ see your orthodontist about it as it can result in a dislocated Jaw
I bit into an apple and dislocated the left jaw. It went back into place but not pops when i eat. How long will it take to heal so i can eat normally again.
Yes, the jaw can be dislocated, usually as a result of trauma.
Dislocation of the jaw can be treated by a primary care physician by exerting pressure in the proper manner.
yes
The Broken Jaw was created in 1997.
If a jaw is broken, the best thing is to see a doctor and fix it.
If muscle spasm prevents the jaw from moving back into alignment, a sedative is administered intravenously (IV) to relax the muscles.
You can not dislocate you lip, only a joint where one bone connects to another can be dislocated, such as shoulder, hip or lower jaw etc. then another question my lip has been dislocated but i felt a bone under my lip and it was way sticking out