A dislocated jaw, formally known as mandibular luxation, occurs when the lower jawbone slips out of its normal position at the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This sudden, traumatic event is exceptionally painful and immediately compromises a person’s ability to speak or swallow. Due to the severity of the symptoms, a jaw dislocation requires immediate professional attention.
Understanding the Jaw Joint
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the mandible (lower jawbone) and the temporal bone of the skull. This joint is unique, allowing for two distinct movements: a hinge action for simple opening and closing, and a gliding motion that enables the jaw to slide forward, backward, and side-to-side. A dislocated jaw occurs when the lower jawbone’s condyle slips out of the temporal bone’s socket, called the glenoid fossa.
Most commonly, the jaw dislocates anteriorly, meaning the condyle slides forward, often due to the excessive opening of the mouth. This can happen during routine activities such as a wide yawn, a hearty laugh, or a dental procedure requiring the mouth to be held open for an extended time. Trauma, such as a severe blow to the face, is also a cause, as are underlying conditions like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which can cause joint hypermobility.
Immediate Sensations and Symptoms
The onset of a dislocated jaw is marked by acute, sharp pain felt intensely in the area directly in front of the ear, where the TMJ is located. This pain is often accompanied by a loud popping or crunching noise, followed by the immediate inability to close the mouth completely. The jaw becomes locked in an open or partially open position, a defining physical characteristic of the injury.
The jawline will often appear noticeably misaligned or shifted to one side, which is known as facial asymmetry. This displacement prevents the upper and lower teeth from meeting correctly, resulting in an abnormal bite, or malocclusion, that feels completely “off” or crooked. The inability to seal the mouth leads to excessive drooling, as swallowing becomes significantly difficult or impossible.
The muscles surrounding the joint—specifically the masseter, temporalis, and pterygoid muscles—go into painful spasm. This involuntary muscular contraction keeps the jaw locked out of place and contributes heavily to the throbbing pain felt across the cheek, temple, and jawline. The intense discomfort and physical misalignment also make speaking a challenge, often leading to slurred or unintelligible communication.
Essential Steps After Dislocation
After a suspected jaw dislocation, seek immediate emergency medical care; this injury cannot be safely treated at home. Attempting to force the jaw back into place without professional knowledge can cause additional damage to the joint, surrounding ligaments, or nerves. Immediate transport to an emergency department is necessary for proper diagnosis and treatment.
While waiting for medical assistance, gently support the lower jaw with a hand or a soft bandage wrapped under the chin and over the top of the head. This support should be easy to remove to prevent choking if the person needs to vomit. Applying a cold pack to the sides of the jaw can help manage initial swelling and pain.
Medical Reduction and Recovery
Upon arrival at a medical facility, the definitive treatment for a dislocated jaw is manual reduction. This involves a medical professional gently maneuvering the lower jawbone back into its proper place within the TMJ socket. Before the procedure, pain medication and often muscle relaxants or sedation are administered to relax the powerful jaw muscles, which are typically in severe spasm.
The doctor applies careful downward and backward pressure on the jaw to guide the condyle past the bony eminence and back into the glenoid fossa. After a successful reduction, the patient may need to stabilize the joint with a bandage or light fixation devices for a period of time to allow the surrounding tissues to heal. Recovery protocols involve eating only soft foods for several weeks to minimize the strain on the joint. Patients are advised to avoid activities that require wide mouth opening, such as yelling, excessive yawning, or taking large bites, as there is an increased risk of the jaw dislocating again.