Jaw Fracture

Visit Video : Jaw Fracture

Visit Video : Jaw Fracture

Broken Jaw (Mandible Fracture) Overview

A broken jaw (or mandible fracture) is a common facial injury.. A broken jaw is the 10th most common fractured bone in the human body. Fractures are generally the result of a direct force or trauma to the jawbone (mandible).

A dislocated jawbone means that the Temporomandibular joint (where the jaw connects with the skull) is moved out of place. The jawbone may or may not be fractured, but even if there is no fracture, symptoms (listed below) may be similar to a jawbone fracture. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocation and syndrome is a topic of another article.

A large percentage of patients with jawbone fractures had associated injuries to one or more of the following: head, neck, face, eyes, and nose.

Broken Jaw Causes

Although a jawbone fracture may occur from many pathological causes (for example, cancer, bone loss through infections), the large majority of fractures occur from the following:

• Motor vehicle accidents
• Assaults (facial trauma)
• Sports-related injuries (boxing, football)
• Falls (face-first falls)

Broken Jaw Symptoms

In the majority of patients, the signs and symptoms of a jawbone fracture begin to develop immediately after some trauma to the jaw. The most common symptomis jaw pain.

• People may feel that your teeth do not fit together correctly (this is called a malocclusion). They may be unable to open their jaw all the way, have problems speaking or chewing food, or notice swelling or displacement of the jaw.
• The chin or lower lip may be numb Because of damage to a nerve that runs through the mandible.
• Inside the mouth Bleeding or change in the normal lineup of teeth or both can be signs of a broken jaw. There might also be bruising under the tongue or even a cut in the ear canal due to movement backward of the broken jawbone.
• Drooling and the inability to close the mouth may occur.

When to Seek Medical Care

If after some trauma to the jaw or face, a person's teeth don't fit together correctly, if they have bleeding within the mouth, significant pain, problems speaking, or swelling, they should seek medical care.

Broken Jaw Exams and Tests

A doctor will conduct a physical exam and order X-rays if indicated. No blood tests are needed unless there are underlying health problems suspected that may have played a role in the trauma (for example, falls due to medical problems) or if you need to go to the operating room to have the fracture fixed.

Self-Care at Home

If there is any question that an individual may have a broken jaw, they need to follow up with a doctor or a dentist specializing in oral surgery.

Ice should be applied to the jaw to help control the swelling on the way to be seen by the doctor. Sometimes patients will need a paper cup to catch the drool or to spit blood into on the trip to the doctor or emergency department. If other injuries are present, if bleeding is brisk or if swelling or other problems may compromise breathing, call 911 for emergent transport.

Broken Jaw Treatment

Many people who have jaw pain will not have a jaw fracture and will be treated with pain and medication and instructions to eat a soft diet and to follow up with their doctor.

• Those people with fractures require further evaluation. Many fractures of the jawbone are associated with gum problems or tissue damage and should be considered open fractures. They will be treated with antibioticsand likely will require surgical intervention or wiring teeth together.
• People may receive a tetanusshot.
• Pain should be addressed and managed effectively by the doctor.
• Many mandible fractures are stable, and the only treatment required is wiring the upper and lower teeth together. This will most commonly be performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon
• More unstable fractures often require surgery. Surgical methods using plates across the fracture site and screws to attach the plates (or thin perforated bars) to bone may allow some patients to have normal motion of the mandible and to eat shortly after surgery.

Follow-up

Many jaw fractures require surgery. Because of that, patients may need to follow up with an surgeon. Healing time varies with the type of fracture; in general, the average time to heal a jawbone fracture takes about six weeks.All antibiotics need to be taken as instructed.

Follow all recommendations on diet; patients often lose weight while recovering from a jaw fracture because many patients may only be able to swallow pureed or blended foods through a straw if the mandible is wired shut to facilitate healing. The doctor may suggest the patient consult with a dietician to help design a good diet until the jaw heals. Continue Reading