A broken jaw is a break (fracture) 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).
The most common cause of a broken or dislocated jaw is injury to the face. This may be due to:
Assault
Industrial accident
Motor vehicle accident
Recreational or sports injury
Symptoms
Symptoms of a broken jaw include:
Bleeding from the mouth
Difficulty opening the mouth widely
Facial bruising
Facial swelling
Jaw stiffness
Jaw tenderness or pain, worse with biting or chewing
Loose or damaged teeth
Lump or abnormal appearance of the cheek or jaw
Numbness of the face (particularly the lower lip)
Very limited movement of the jaw (with severe fracture)
Symptoms of a dislocated jaw include:
Bite that feels "off" or crooked
Difficulty speaking
Drooling because of inability to close the mouth
Inability to close the mouth
Jaw that may protrude forward
Pain in the face or jaw, located in front of the ear or on the affected side, and gets worse with movement
Teeth that do not line up properly
First Aid
A broken or dislocated jaw requires prompt medical attention because of the risk of breathing problems or 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. The 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.
FRACTURED JAW
Temporarily bandaging the jaw (around the top of the head) to prevent it from moving may help reduce pain.
Treatment for a fractured jaw depends on how badly the bone is broken. If you have a minor fracture, the fracture can heal on its own. 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 to 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.
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 medicines (anesthetics) and muscle relaxants may be needed to relax the 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 is 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.
Do Not
Do not attempt to correct the position of the jaw. A doctor should do this.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
A broken or dislocated jaw requires prompt medical attention. Emergency symptoms include difficulty breathing or heavy bleeding.
Prevention
Safe practices in work, sports, and recreation, such as wearing a proper helmet when playing football, or using mouth guards, can prevent some accidental injuries to the face or jaw.
Review Date:
4/16/2013
Reviewed By:
C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Also reviewed by A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc., Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Bethanne Black, Stephanie Slon, and Nissi Wang.
