How to Safely Fix a Dislocated Jaw: A Comprehensive Guide

A dislocated jaw, while incredibly painful and alarming, can sometimes be addressed at home with careful techniques. However, it’s crucial to understand that attempting to reduce a dislocated jaw at home carries risks, and professional medical help should always be your first consideration. This guide provides detailed information on how a healthcare professional might address a dislocated jaw, and what measures you can take at home, but it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you suspect a dislocated jaw, seek immediate medical attention. Delaying treatment can lead to complications and make the reduction more difficult.

Understanding Jaw Dislocation

Before discussing how to fix a dislocated jaw, it’s essential to understand what it is and how it occurs. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your lower jaw (mandible) to your skull. It’s a hinge joint, allowing your jaw to move up and down, side to side, and forward. A dislocation occurs when the mandibular condyle, the rounded end of the lower jawbone, slips out of its normal position in the mandibular fossa (a depression in the temporal bone). This usually happens when the jaw is opened too wide or receives a sudden impact.

Types of Jaw Dislocation:

• Anterior Dislocation: The most common type, where the jaw moves forward and gets stuck in front of the TMJ. This often leads to an open mouth that you cannot close.
• Posterior Dislocation: Rare, where the jaw moves backward. Often associated with trauma and is more complicated to treat.
• Lateral Dislocation: Where the jaw moves to the side. Also less common.

Causes of Jaw Dislocation:

• Yawning: Opening the mouth too widely, especially while yawning.
• Dental Procedures: Prolonged dental treatments that require keeping the mouth wide open.
• Trauma: Blows to the face, sports injuries, accidents.
• Seizures: Severe muscle spasms associated with seizures.
• Overextension: Certain activities like singing or laughing excessively.
• Congenital Laxity: Some people may have naturally looser jaw joints.

Symptoms of a Dislocated Jaw:

• Inability to Close the Mouth: The most obvious sign, often with the jaw locked in an open position.
• Pain: Intense pain in the jaw and surrounding areas.
• Difficulty Speaking: Because the jaw is out of place.
• Drooling: Inability to swallow properly can cause excess saliva.
• Jaw Appears Out of Alignment: The jaw might look crooked or off-center.
• Clicking or Popping: While trying to move the jaw.

When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention

It’s crucial to reiterate that attempting to relocate a dislocated jaw yourself can be risky if you are not properly trained. Improper techniques can cause further injury to the TMJ, surrounding soft tissues, and even fracture bones. It is always better to err on the side of caution and seek help from a qualified professional. You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following:

• Intense pain that is not manageable.
• Swelling and bruising around the jaw joint.
• A suspected fracture in addition to the dislocation.
• Loss of feeling or numbness in the face, especially around the mouth or chin.
• If you are unable to comfortably and safely perform the techniques outlined below.
• If the dislocation happened due to trauma.

Where to Seek Help:

• Emergency Room: In most cases of suspected dislocated jaw, the emergency room is where you would find treatment.
• Urgent Care Center: If the symptoms are not severe, an urgent care center could provide treatment. However, they may still refer to an emergency room if it is more complex or requires specialized care.
• Your Dentist: Some dentists are trained to reduce jaw dislocations, especially if they happen frequently to you. Contact your dentist if it is an ongoing problem.
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon: These specialists are the experts in facial bone and soft tissue conditions.

How a Healthcare Professional Fixes a Dislocated Jaw

Healthcare professionals are trained and equipped to safely and effectively reduce a dislocated jaw. Here is a breakdown of how they would typically approach the situation:

1. Assessment:

• Medical History: They will ask about how the dislocation occurred, if it has happened before, and any medical conditions.
• Physical Examination: They will check the position of the jaw, look for any signs of injury or infection, and assess nerve function.
• X-Rays: X-rays may be taken to rule out fractures or other bone injuries.

2. Reduction (Relocation) Techniques:

The goal of reduction is to gently manipulate the mandibular condyle back into the mandibular fossa. The two most commonly used techniques are:

• Intraoral (Inside the Mouth) Reduction: This is the most common method and can be performed by most doctors trained in basic trauma techniques.
• Extraoral (Outside the Mouth) Reduction: In certain cases, a different approach may be needed, typically performed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons.

3. Intraoral Reduction Procedure (Inside the Mouth):

This method involves the following steps:

• Preparation:
  • The patient is usually sitting or lying down.
  • Anesthetic and muscle relaxants are sometimes given to manage pain and muscle spasms and make the relocation smoother.
  • The doctor wears gloves.
• Grip:
  • The doctor places their thumbs on the lower molar teeth (either on the biting surface or the inner surface) or the mandibular ridges, while the other fingers grasp the underside of the jaw, cupping it. This is done on both sides of the jaw simultaneously.
• Manipulation:
  • The doctor applies gentle, downward and backward pressure with the thumbs while simultaneously lifting the chin with the fingers. The goal is to move the condyle down and then back into the fossa.
  • The process often involves a gentle rocking motion, allowing the muscles to relax and the condyle to slip into its proper position.
• Confirmation:
  • Once the jaw is relocated, the patient should be able to close their mouth and feel significant relief.
  • The doctor will likely gently move the jaw to confirm full, natural range of motion.

4. Extraoral Reduction Procedure (Outside the Mouth):

This technique, typically employed by surgeons, requires more careful manipulation. It might be used if the intraoral approach is not effective or if there is a complex case or a fracture. This may involve the use of instruments, and often is performed with a higher degree of sedation.

5. Post-Reduction Care:

• Pain Management: Pain relievers and muscle relaxants are often prescribed to manage discomfort and muscle spasms.
• Soft Diet: For the first few days, a soft diet is recommended to avoid putting excessive strain on the jaw joint.
• Rest: Resting and avoiding excessive jaw movements is essential for proper healing.
• Warm Compresses: Applying warm compresses to the jaw may help relieve muscle soreness and spasms.
• Avoiding Wide Mouth Opening: The patient should avoid wide yawning or activities that could cause another dislocation.
• Physical Therapy: If there are recurring dislocations, physical therapy and exercises to strengthen the jaw muscles may be prescribed.
• Splint or Device: In severe or recurrent cases, a splint or a specialized device may be used to help stabilize the jaw joint.

Self-Care and At-Home First Aid (With Caution)

While strongly advocating for professional help, here are some self-care steps you can take while you wait for medical assistance. These actions are intended to alleviate pain and reduce the risk of further injury but should never be used as a substitute for proper medical attention. If you feel that you can not safely do this on your own or are unsure of your abilities, call for help.

Disclaimer: The following actions are intended for temporary self-care while waiting for medical assistance and are not medical advice. You should seek proper medical attention immediately.

1. Stay Calm:

• Panicking will only make the situation worse. Try to remain calm and collected.

2. Support Your Jaw:

• Use your hands to support your lower jaw. Hold it in a position that feels the least painful.
• Avoid trying to force or move it.

3. Avoid Jaw Movement:

• Do not try to close or open your mouth forcibly.
• Do not chew or speak excessively.

4. Apply Heat or Cold:

• A cold pack wrapped in a thin cloth can be applied to the jaw for 15 minutes to help reduce pain and swelling if it is early in the injury.
• After the initial period of injury (24-48 hours), a warm compress can help relax the muscles. Use either heat or cold, not both at the same time.

5. Pain Medication (Over-the-Counter):

• If safe to do so, take over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) to help relieve discomfort.
• Follow the dosage instructions on the label.

6. Attempting Reduction (With Extreme Caution and Awareness):

Again, attempt this at your own risk, knowing you can cause more damage. This is not a recommendation, and you should seek a professional first. Only try this if you cannot access medical help and feel you understand the risks and are capable of performing the technique. If in doubt, do not attempt this at home, and wait for the medical professional.

If you understand the risks and have no other option, you may cautiously try a variation of the intraoral reduction that a doctor would employ. Note, that there are many variations of this depending on the exact presentation of your injury. If the dislocation is old, or if you had a significant trauma causing it, then this technique will not work and should never be tried. If you feel pain, you should stop.

Important: If there is any pain or resistance, stop immediately. Do not force the jaw.

• Preparation:
  • Wash your hands thoroughly.
  • Make sure you have a good grip with your thumbs on the sides of your lower teeth.
  • Find a way to properly grip the underside of your jaw.
  • Get in a position where you feel relaxed and secure.
• Grip:
  • Place your thumbs on the biting surface of your lower molars (or as close as possible if the teeth are difficult to reach), taking care to cover them with enough of your skin, so that they do not slip.
  • Place your fingers around the jaw and under the chin so that you are gripping both sides of your lower jaw
• Manipulation:
  • With your thumbs gently pushing down (towards the floor) and your fingers lifting up (towards the ceiling), try to gently and slowly rotate the jaw in a way that it may slip into the normal position.
  • Do this slowly and with control, if you feel pain stop immediately.
  • The movement should be gentle and controlled, not jerky or forced.
  • If it works, your jaw will suddenly slip back into place, and you will be able to close your mouth.
• After Reduction:
  • Once the jaw is relocated, try to keep it as still as possible.
  • Apply a warm compress.
  • Contact a medical professional to report the successful reduction.

After successful at-home reduction, it is still advisable to seek medical attention to ensure there are no additional injuries.

Prevention

Preventing jaw dislocations is often possible with some simple precautions:

• Avoid Wide Mouth Openings: Be mindful of how wide you open your mouth, especially during yawning, laughing, singing, or dental procedures.
• Address TMJ Issues: If you have chronic TMJ problems or have had a previous dislocation, seek treatment from a dentist or specialist.
• Proper Mouth Guards: If you participate in sports, use a properly fitted mouth guard to protect your jaw.
• Manage Seizures: If you have a seizure disorder, work with your doctor to manage your condition and prevent muscle spasms.
• Awareness of Habits: Identify and modify any habits that can lead to overextension of the jaw.
• Strengthening Exercises: If you have a history of dislocations, consider physical therapy with a trained professional that can guide you with exercises that can strengthen the surrounding tissues of the TMJ.

Conclusion

A dislocated jaw can be a frightening and painful experience. While this guide provides detailed information on how a healthcare professional reduces the jaw, and some self-care steps that may be used for temporary relief, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention for proper diagnosis and treatment. Attempting to self-reduce a dislocated jaw carries risks and should only be done with utmost caution and awareness. This information should not be used in place of advice from a medical professional. By understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options, you can be better prepared to handle a dislocated jaw situation and seek prompt medical care. Remember, prevention is always the best strategy.