| Surgical-Dentistry.Info |
| Dislocation of the Mandible / Jaw Dislocation |
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Predisposing Conditions:
- Most dislocations occur spontaneously on opening
the mouth widely for yawn, dental work, during
seizure - Trauma may also produce dislocation
- Trauma involving a downward force on partially
opened jaw - Those with previous dislocations are at much greater
risk for repeat dislocation
- Shallow mandibular fossa may predispose to
dislocation - Connective tissue diseases like Marfan’s or Ehlers-
Danlos may have increased risk - May eventually result in osteoarthritis in TM joint
Clinical Findings:
Imaging Findings:
- Dislocations of the lower jaw (mandible) tend to be
uncomfortable but not severely painful for the patient - The presence of a jaw fracture increases the pain
- Patients are unable to close mouth completely
- Difficulty speaking and, possibly, swallowing
- Dislocations may be one-sided or both (unilateral or
bilateral) - The lower jaw comes forward (prognathic)
appearance to jaw when both are dislocated
Imaging Findings:
- Conventional X-ray is usually diagnostic
- Mandibular condyle lies forward (anterior) to the
articulate eminence on one or both sides
Normally, the mandibular condyle lies in the mandibular
fossa of the temporal bone when the mouth is closed and
moves forward slightly when the mouth is open.
When dislocated, mandibular condyle moves forward
and lies forward (anterior) to the articular eminence
which prevents its return to the mandibular fossa of the
temporal bone.
fossa of the temporal bone when the mouth is closed and
moves forward slightly when the mouth is open.
When dislocated, mandibular condyle moves forward
and lies forward (anterior) to the articular eminence
which prevents its return to the mandibular fossa of the
temporal bone.
Treatment:
- Manual reduction is usually performed +/- sedation
+/- LA - Success is evident as patient can close mouth
- There is a risk of fracture of the lower jaw
(mandible) during reduction