Is it possible to dislocate your jaw when yawning - information for patients

Description of the problem and its symptoms

Only the lower jaw is mobile, so when they talk about dislocation, they mean it. A dislocation is an injury to the mandibular-temporal joint with its displacement from the anatomically correct position. In this case, the articular head pops out of the fossa of the articular-temporal bone.

Dislocation is divided into complete (when the head completely flies out of the fossa) and partial (when the head is displaced relative to its normal position, but is in the fossa). Subluxation is considered less dangerous and can be corrected at home by the victim himself.

Injury to the lower jaw is not always visible to the naked eye. Sometimes the damage is felt only by the victim himself. The main signs of a dislocation include: aching pain in the area of ​​injury, radiating discomfort into the ear, and increased symptoms when trying to open the mouth. At the moment of complete dislocation, the victim may hear a click, characteristic of the head coming out of the articular fossa.

The symptomatic picture of the disorder depends on the type of injury. In an anterior dislocation, the damaged bone structure sags and moves forward. At the same time, the patient notes increased salivation and difficulty pronouncing words.

Additional signs of anterior dislocation:

• facial asymmetry;
• inability to close the mouth independently;
• displacement of the jaw to the right or left.

In a posterior dislocation, the damaged bone structure moves backward. A typical clinical picture of the injury: partial hearing impairment, swelling of the auricle. These symptoms arise because with a posterior dislocation, a fracture of the ear canal wall often occurs.

Signs of bilateral dislocation:

• difficulty breathing (especially when lying down);
• inability to open the mouth without outside intervention;
• increased pain when sitting.

Classification

Jaw subluxations, depending on the type and causes of development, are usually classified into the following types:

• lateral with the head moving sideways in relation to the location of the articular fossa;
• posterior with the head localized in the posterior part of the articular capsule;
• anterior with placement of the articular head immediately in front of the recess.

Most often, the anterior form of subluxation is diagnosed, which is associated with the anatomical structure. There are also two types of pathology - unilateral and bilateral. In the first case, there is a deviation only to the left or right side in relation to the jaw or temporal bone. In the second case, displacement of both joints is observed.

The simple form of subluxation is characterized by slight displacement, treatment is simple, and the patient does not feel severe pain. In a complex form, not only displacement is diagnosed, but also soft tissue disorders and ligament ruptures.

Causes

The reasons for displacement of the jaw bones from their original position can be divided into 2 categories: traumatic and non-traumatic. The first category of factors provoking the problem include: bruises, accidents, falls, blows.

Non-traumatic causes include:

• chewing rough foods;
• wide opening of the jaw by a person during yawning;
• diseases of the ligamentous apparatus (rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteomyelitis).

If medical care is not provided in a timely manner, swelling and hematoma gradually appear in the area of ​​the dislocation. Lack of adjustment also leads to the transition of the dislocation to the old stage. The disorder is characterized by weakening of the jaw muscles, the formation of compacted scars at the site of injury, and the inability to hold the jaws in an anatomically correct position even after reduction. A person's chewing and speech functions are impaired.

Complications

If the patient promptly sought medical help and strictly followed the recommendations while wearing the splint, then the outcome is favorable. In this case there should be no relapses. But early load on the jaw and the presence of deforming joint diseases can provoke a relapse, and, as a rule, more than one.

Make an appointment with our specialists and find out first-hand the main symptoms of a dislocated lower jaw. Remember that only qualified medical care will help you get rid of the problem for a long time and enjoy all the joys of life.

Related services: Dental implantation Treatment of temporomandibular joint disorders

Professional jaw realignment

In total, there are 3 techniques for reducing the lower jaw when it is dislocated: the Hippocratic method, the Popescu method and the Blechman-Gershuny method. The first method of reduction is practiced for simple injuries. Let's take a closer look at the method of reducing the lower jaw according to the Hippocratic method:

• The doctor sits the patient on a chair with a high headrest. A mandatory rule that must be observed when adjusting according to the Hippocratic method is to rest the head on a hard surface. The doctor's elbows should be at the level of the patient's jaw.
• Local anesthesia is performed with Lidocaine, Novocaine or other anesthetic.
• The doctor disinfects his hands and wraps his thumbs in gauze to prevent them from being injured by the patient’s teeth.
• The thumbs are placed on the victim’s molars, and the lower jaw is fixed with the remaining elements.
• Performing direct reduction: the jaw is moved slightly downward, with light upward pressure on the chin. The action is necessary for maximum relaxation of the masticatory muscles. After this, the doctor makes backward and upward movements with his thumbs so that the head of the joint returns to its original position.
• If the manipulations were carried out correctly, then after reduction a characteristic crunch will be heard. It indicates that the head of the joint is in the notch. After the click, the doctor quickly presses his thumbs to the inside of the patient's cheek, since after reduction the victim will reflexively close his mouth.

Reduction of the jaw using the Hippocratic method.

Blechman-Gershuny method

This method allows you to quickly and easily return the head of the joint to its place, but it requires certain knowledge and skills from a doctor or first aid provider. All manipulations with the Blechman-Gershuny method are performed in one movement.

The method is practiced for simple types of bilateral jaw dislocation according to the following algorithm:

1. The doctor determines the location of the coronoid processes of the jaw bones.
2. With one movement, the bone moves back and down until a characteristic click appears.

The jaw can be adjusted using the Blechman-Gershuny method from both the external and internal sides of the jaw. The external method of reduction is considered more gentle. However, with the internal technique it is easier to find the coronoid process. The method of eliminating dislocation is also recommended for use in cases of chronic displacement of the head of the jaw joint from the fossa due to weakness of the muscular system.

Popescu method

The reduction method is considered the most effective, however, only an experienced person with a medical education should perform manipulations according to its algorithm. If SP is carried out correctly, the consequences of an old injury can be eliminated using this technique.

Temporomandibular joint

Algorithm for reversing a dislocated mandible according to Popescu:

1. The patient is placed on a horizontal surface.
2. An anesthetic drug is administered to the affected area. If necessary, the patient may be given general anesthesia.
3. Bandage rollers are installed between the molars on the upper and lower jaws. The thickness of the roller is 1.5 cm minimum.
4. The doctor presses the chin upward and backward in one motion. The return of the joint head to its place is accompanied by a characteristic push.

Clinical manifestations

Symptoms depend on the type of dislocation. Common manifestations include:

• difficulty closing and opening the mouth;
• protrusion or distortion of the jaw forward;
• sharp pain radiating to the temple;
• profuse drooling;
• inability to pronounce words normally.

Treatment of habitual jaw dislocation should be carried out exclusively by a specialist. The only thing the patient can do is fix the position by bandaging his chin with a scarf. Painkillers and ice will help reduce pain.

On our website Dobrobut.com you can sign up for a consultation with the right specialist and undergo diagnostics if necessary.

Drug treatment after reduction

After reduction of the joint, patients require a rehabilitation period. The jaw must be secured with a bandage to prevent recurrence of the injury. And splints can also be used to keep the joint in one position.

Bandage on the jaw after reduction of the joint.

Is there pain during the rehabilitation period? The persistence of minor pain in the area of ​​the temporomandibular joint is normal. You can reduce the intensity of discomfort with the help of anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs - Diclofenac, Ketorolac, Ibuprofen. Cold compresses will also help eliminate swelling of the tissues near the damaged joint and reduce pain.

During the rehabilitation period, it is necessary to adhere to preventive rules, the main goal of which is to minimize the load on the damaged joint. They include:

• refusal of solid and rough foods, which require a certain tension in the chewing muscles;
• lack of wide opening of the mouth to prevent displacement of the articular head from the socket;
• keeping jaw movements to a minimum.

The duration of the recovery period after reduction of the lower jaw is 2–3 weeks.

The situation when, after treatment or removal of teeth, a patient experiences limited mobility of the lower jaw, unfortunately occurs very often, but dentists do not always treat such cases with due attention. Acute, temporary destruction is accompanied not only by limited opening of the mouth, but also by pain in the area of ​​the temporomandibular joint of varying intensity, joint noise, which can have the character of friction, crepitus, crunching, clicking.

The danger of this situation is that the acute period without qualified treatment smoothly turns into a chronic process, which, as it progresses, causes morphological changes in the muscular-articular part of the lower jaw. These changes are, as a rule, not reversible, and only progress as the disease progresses, causing more pronounced symptoms. The situation is aggravated by the complexity of the functional and compensatory capabilities of the joint, the abundance of factors ensuring its functioning and the mass of possible reasons contributing to the development of dysfunction. Unfortunately, despite many publications, this section of dentistry is the least studied and contains many complex unresolved and controversial issues, both in the diagnosis and treatment of TMJ dysfunction. In addition, often radically changing views on the essence of the manifestation of this disease and methods of its treatment create certain difficulties in the process of patient rehabilitation for a practicing physician.

The purpose of this publication is not only to determine algorithms for the diagnosis and treatment of acute pathological conditions caused by dysfunction of musculoskeletal structures, but also to share our own experience in the management of patients with these complications.

When managing such patients, it must be remembered that diagnosing TMJ dysfunction is difficult not only for dentists, but also for doctors of other specialties, so it often turns out that the disease is detected late and treatment is long and difficult. In order to make a correct diagnosis, it is important to consult with specialists in different areas of dentistry, since various pathological processes of TMJ, which have their own etiology, are manifested by almost identical complaints and symptoms. It is important for a specialist to identify the main distinctive features inherent in a particular form of pathology, and only after that draw up a treatment plan, consisting of both generally accepted forms of treatment for all pathologies, and highly specialized ones inherent only to the diagnosed one. Dentists should treat TMJ diseases! It is imperative to treat TMJ dysfunction! If treatment is refused or is not effective, the disc gradually shifts, the articular surfaces undergo restructuring, and rough connective tissue grows in the joint cavity, which leads to immobilization of the joint - ankylosis.

All acute pathologies of the temporomandibular joint are divided into pathology of the muscular system and pathology of the temporomandibular joint.

Acute pathologies of the masticatory muscles are represented by three types:

1. Post-injection myalgia;
2. Post-exertional myalgia;
3. Myospasm.

Post-injection myalgia - occurs during mandibular anesthesia, as a result of damage to the medial pterygoid muscle or vascular bundle with the formation of a hematoma. The response to local damage is a response of the central nervous system in the form of a spasm.

Patients complain of pain at the injection site, usually appearing in the first day, aching pain that intensifies with movements of the lower jaw and opening the mouth.

Objectively: pain during palpation at the injection site, limited mouth opening, while lateral movements of the lower jaw are sufficient. Redness and swelling at the injection site may indicate the presence of inflammation and the need for antibiotic therapy.

Differential diagnosis is carried out with post-exertional myalgia and with anterior dislocation of the articular disc without reduction, in which there is no pain at rest, no pain on palpation of the injection site, but there are restrictions on the lateral movements of the mandible in the direction opposite to the side of the lesion. In the case of post-injection or post-load myalgia, it is possible to open the mouth wider after blocking the motor branches of the mandibular nerve according to Bersha (Egorov), or with passive load on the lower jaw, which is impossible with unreducible displacement of the articular disc.

Treatment in the first week:

1. Providing rest for muscles;
2. A gentle diet;
3. Forced restriction of mouth opening;
4. NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs):

• Ibuprofen 600-800 mg 3 times a day with meals;
• Nimesil 100 mg 2 times a day;
• Catadolon 100 mg 3 times a day;
• Further, if there is no effect, Mydocalm 150 mg 2-3 times a day;

1. Physiotherapy;
2. Passive muscle stretching.

Post-exertional myalgia - may be the result of muscle strain due to opening the mouth too wide, or during prolonged dental procedures. Bruxism and bad habits, as well as abuse of chewing gum, can provoke this condition. The feeling of discomfort does not appear immediately, but over time, after exposure to a traumatic factor. Patients complain of local muscle soreness, which increases with exercise and is barely noticeable at rest.

Objectively: limited mouth opening, although sometimes it is possible to open the mouth wider if the patient is asked. This opening of the mouth is called the “soft restriction symptom.” With a normal volume of lateral movements of the lower jaw and palpation, pain in the area of ​​the involved muscles is determined. Differential diagnosis and treatment, as with post-injection myalgia.

Myospasm is a strong, constant, unintentional muscle contraction emanating from the central nervous system. Occurs infrequently. The causes of myospasm are not well understood. There is evidence that a deep pain impulse is one of the provoking factors. The patient notices sudden muscle tension and pain that increases with muscle activity. Depending on the muscles involved, the position of the lower jaw changes, which manifests itself in a violation of occlusion. The nature of these disorders is directly related to the location of the spasmed muscle, for example, with spasm of the lateral pterygoid muscle, the lower jaw is shifted forward and to the opposite side. Myospasm is characterized by a very hard consistency of the muscles and significant pain on palpation.

Diagnosis of myospasm is usually not difficult due to the sudden onset, sudden muscle contracture, and significant muscle rigidity, which is not typical for other muscle and joint disorders.

Treatment: manual massage, Egorov block, infiltration of the spasmed muscle with local anesthetic, passive stretching. Without treatment, myospasm goes away on its own within an hour.

Acute temporomandibular joint injuries include three types of disorders:

1. Traumatic capsulitis;
2. Anterior non-reducible displacement of the articular disc (closed lock);
3. Anterior TMJ dislocation (open lock).

All these conditions can be the result of increased stress on the temporomandibular joint during prolonged dental surgery, or excessive opening of the mouth.

1. Traumatic capsulitis.

Complaints of aching pain localized in the anterior parotid region and aggravated by chewing. Many patients report a loss of contact between the teeth on the damaged side. This condition develops as a result of swelling of the retrodiscal tissues, which pushes the condyle forward from its normal position in the glenoid fossa.

Objectively, there is pain on palpation over the damaged joint and during lateral movements of the lower jaw, limited opening of the mouth, and painful closure of the masticatory group of teeth on the affected side.

Differential diagnosis is carried out:

? with external otitis, when there is redness of the external auditory canal, and pressure on the tragus or auricle causes severe pain;

? with damage to the parotid gland, where the mobility of the lower jaw is not limited;

? with a condyle fracture, with a history of trauma and according to the Rg study.

Treatment: if the pain is minimal and there are no significant changes in joint mobility, the patient is advised to reduce the load on the joint, switch to “soft” food and rest the lower jaw for a period of 2 weeks. Patients experiencing severe pain are also prescribed NSAIDs. If necessary, in case of bruxism, use occlusal splints to promote muscle relaxation and prevent the pressure of the condyle on the inflamed retrodiscal tissue.

1. Anterior non-reducible displacement of the articular disc - closed lock.

Normally, the articular disc is attached to the condyle laterally and medially by means of collateral disc ligaments. These ligaments form the condylar-disc complex and allow anterior and posterior rotational movements of the disc on the condyle. The condylar-disc complex can emerge from the glenoid fossa, allowing full opening of the mouth. The lateral pterygoid muscle, its superior head, attaches to the anterior portion of the disc and capsule, providing anterior tension on the disc. If the disc ligaments are overstretched, the tone of the lateral pterygoid muscle is increased, the disc may become displaced and located anterior to the condyle, blocking its movement, and full opening of the mouth becomes impossible.

Features of the anamnesis: since the disc blocks the opening of the mouth, the patient can accurately indicate the time of onset of the disease, indicating painless opening of the mouth to a certain level at which an obstacle is felt, but further it is impossible to open the mouth. Pain syndrome is often absent; pain may appear in the parotid region when trying to open the mouth wider or, conversely, clench the teeth tightly.

Objectively: when examining the patient, limited opening of the mouth is revealed to 25-30 mm, then the mouth cannot be opened either by the patient or the doctor. Movements of the lower jaw on the healthy side are preserved in full, while on the affected side they are limited - less than 6 mm. When opening the mouth, the jaw shifts to the affected side and moves forward.

Differential diagnosis:

? with myogenic contractures of the jaw, is carried out on the basis of a study of lateral movements of the jaw, when extracapsular, muscular restriction is not accompanied by limitation of lateral movements.

Treatment: should begin with an attempt to return the disc to its normal position in relation to the condyle. To do this, the patient is asked to hold his jaws without clenching them, and perform lateral movements with the maximum possible amplitude, in the opposite direction from the dislocated meniscus, after which the patient should open his mouth wide. As a rule, after such manipulations, the disc returns to its normal position in relation to the condyle. If this does not happen, a manual reduction technique should be used, which is successful if the duration of the disease does not exceed a week. With a long course of the disease, the chances of success are reduced due to morphological changes in the disc and ligaments.

The success of manual reduction depends on 3 factors:

? tone of the upper head of the lateral pterygoid muscle, which must be completely relaxed; for this, it is advisable to inject a local anesthetic into it before the manipulation;

? tone of the muscles that lift the mandible;

? relaxation and position of the condyle, the mandible should be in a state of maximum protrusion.

Manual reduction begins with placing the thumb over the second mandibular molar on the affected side, the remaining fingers are located along the lower border of the jaw anterior to the thumb, while the second hand stabilizes the position of the head. Firm but controlled pressure is applied with the thumb on the molar while the remaining fingers apply upward pressure, and after the joint is stretched, the lower jaw is moved in the contralateral direction for 20-30 seconds and the patient is asked to relax. After this, the patient gently closes his mouth until the incisors align and, after relaxation, for a few seconds, opens and closes his mouth widely, without achieving maximum closure. If the disc reduction is successful, the patient can open his mouth wide. After reduction of the disc, there is a possibility of its re-dislocation, therefore, to consolidate the success of treatment, I recommend installing a reduction splint to stabilize the disc in the correct position. The tire is used for 7-12 months. During the treatment period, the patient must strictly adhere to the doctor’s instructions, avoid opening the mouth wide, and completely avoid eating solid food and chewing gum.

Unsuccessful, repeated attempts to reposition the disc indicate persistent dysfunction of the posterior temporodiscal ligament, which, due to the duration and depth of the process, has lost the ability to retract the disc, and its dislocation has become permanent. In such cases, patients with persistent anterior disc displacement are advised to use a muscle relaxing device that reduces the stress on the retrodiscal tissue. If there is pain, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), hot compresses, and phonophoresis of drugs on the joint area are prescribed. A gentle regimen is a must! Treatment is long-term, for a year or more, until the tissues are fully adapted. If conservative treatment does not lead to the desired result, and pain and dysfunction are permanent, then surgical intervention in a hospital is indicated.

1. Anterior TMJ dislocation, open lock.

Persistent displacement of the head of the lower jaw beyond the limits of physiological mobility to the anterior slope of the articular tubercle. It is more common in middle-aged and elderly women, due to anatomical features: weakness of the ligamentous apparatus, reduction in the depth of the articular fossa and the size of the articular tubercle.

Clinical manifestations are as follows: after opening the mouth wide, the patient immediately fails to close it.

Treatment: the patient is asked to open his mouth even wider, as when yawning. At this time, the muscles that lower the lower jaw tense, and the posterior group of muscles relaxes, after which light pressure is applied to the chin in the posterior direction.

If there is no result, manual reduction . Repositioning the lower jaw into place most often occurs as follows:

1. The patient is seated on a hard chair so that his lower jaw is at the level of the elbow of the doctor’s lowered hand, and the back of his head rests on a solid support;
2. The doctor stands in front of the patient and places his thumbs wrapped in cloth (bandage, towel, scarf, etc.) on the chewing surfaces of the mandibular molars; the remaining fingers of the doctor cover the outer surface of the lower jaw;

III. By applying pressure to the jaw, the doctor moves it down and back, while at the same time lifting its front part (chin);

1. The articular head slides along the posterior slope of the articular tubercle and returns to the required place; in this case, the doctor must quickly remove his fingers from the patient’s teeth to prevent them from biting.

The jaw realignment procedure should be carried out quite slowly so that the masticatory muscles have the opportunity to relax. If it is not possible to reduce the disc, the attempt is repeated, having first achieved complete relaxation of the lateral pterygoid muscle using an injection of local anesthetic without a vasoconstrictor. After repositioning the jaw, it is necessary to apply a tight fixing bandage for 1-2 weeks to ensure immobility of the lower jaw until complete recovery, refuse to eat solid food or seriously limit its amount, taking mainly liquid or semi-liquid food.

In case of repeated dislocations, after the reduction procedure, it is necessary to have a conversation with the patient about the need to limit mouth opening and teach myogymnastic exercises that reduce the likelihood of condyle displacement. To do this, the patient must place the tip of his tongue on the area of ​​the incisive papilla, then open and close his mouth 10 times. The exercise must be repeated 10 times a day for several weeks until a stable, acquired ability to open the mouth is formed, which will help reduce the incidence of dislocation. If this does not help, then they resort to treatment using various mechanical devices.

In especially severe cases, when simpler forms of treatment for dislocation of the lower jaw are ineffective, the patient is hospitalized, during which an operation is performed to increase the height of the articular tubercle and reduce the size of the articular capsule.

We hope that the directions of diagnosis and treatment presented in the article, based on empirical knowledge of the topic and personal experience, will help dentists better understand the mechanisms of etiology and pathogenesis of acute muscular-articular pathology of the maxillofacial region and, if necessary, correctly apply the presented developments in everyday practice. Remember, possession of reliable information reflecting the patient’s health status, timely prescribed qualified treatment, normal relationship between the doctor and the patient will allow you to quickly stop the pathological process, carry out effective treatment, and achieve quick and complete rehabilitation of the patient.

year 2014

Independent actions

When a jaw is dislocated, a person should not make sudden movements. Severe pain is relieved with analgesics. In this case, the victim must know for sure that there is no allergy to the medication. Trauma is often accompanied by increased blood pressure. If the indicator increases significantly, you should take a drug that normalizes blood pressure.

Independent actions when realigning the jaw:

• Fixation of the jaw in one position using available means or a splint.
• Place a bandage in the mouth that will absorb the saliva that is produced.
• Call an ambulance. If the victim cannot speak, then he needs to ask neighbors or passersby for help (if the dislocation occurred on the street). If there is a clinic near the scene of the incident, you should go there immediately.

Before receiving qualified medical assistance, you should say as little as possible, since any movements can cause pain or complications of the dislocation. It is not advisable to adjust the joint yourself. Illiterate actions can lead to damage to the helping fingers or long-term dysfunction of the jaw apparatus in the victim.

Tooth dislocation: treatment

You need to contact the clinic for professional help immediately, without delaying the visit for a couple of days. Such a pause will bring additional suffering and the risk of increasing complications and losing a tooth after dislocation.

If trouble occurs in a child, you need to remember: dislocation of a baby tooth is always accompanied by additional tissue damage and subsequently the pathology will interfere with the adequate formation of the molar. By the age of 4-6 years, the rudiments of a permanent unit are formed; their injury can lead to unpredictable results.

Help with recurrent dislocations

Frequent jaw dislocations can be prevented using removable and non-removable orthopedic structures. Popular types of designs of the first type include: Petrosov, Yadrova, Pomerantseva-Urbanskaya devices.

The main purpose of the devices is to prevent the mouth from opening too wide when eating or yawning. With their help, it is possible to prevent complications after injury to the temporomandibular joint.

If it is not possible to urgently consult a doctor, then self-reduction of the jaw at home will be carried out according to the Hippocratic algorithm. In case of unilateral damage to bone structures, the impact should be carried out only on the affected area.

Symptoms

A slightly open oral cavity, non-closure of lips and teeth, slurred speech are typical signs of joint damage on both sides. Patients are worried about symptoms such as pain in the ear area, and the symmetry of the face may be disturbed, as the chin moves forward. Additionally, the symptoms of this type of jaw dislocation are:

1. A doctor's examination shows that the masticatory muscle fibers in such patients are tense.
2. They usually have thickened cheeks;
3. The displacement is determined by palpation;
4. When trying to close the mouth using pressure, springy movements and painful sensations appear;

The clinical picture of unilateral displacement is almost the same. The difference is that the chin is directed from the middle to the healthy side, which causes a distortion of the lower part of the face. Clicking and crunching sounds may be heard. If the head is displaced back, the patient will not be able to open his mouth. His speech and breathing are difficult. If the pathology is complicated, swelling is clearly visible, and hematomas may be present.

Differences between dislocation and subluxation and causes

Anterior dislocation of the jaw
In humans, only the lower jaw has mobility, and when dislocated, damage to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) occurs. The articular head pops out of the joint fossa for a number of reasons. In this case, it can pop out completely or partially (with subluxation) when a slight displacement occurs. Subluxation is not as dangerous and is easier to treat. A person can independently set it in place without experiencing serious difficulties.

Ligaments hold the bone in the joint. For displacement to occur, a mechanical effect is necessary, for example, an attempt to crack a nut with teeth, open a bottle, yawning, sneezing, screaming. Other causes of damage include trauma (direct blow to the jaw or face), improperly performed wisdom tooth removal, gastroscopy, and gastric probing. The ligaments of the jaw apparatus weaken with the development of rheumatism, arthritis, osteoporosis, gout, and diabetes. Age-related changes also play an important role. The older a person is, the higher the likelihood of chronic jaw dislocation.

According to the international classification of diseases, jaw dislocation has an ICD-10 code of S03.0.

Surgical intervention

If conservative methods of reduction are ineffective, specialists resort to surgery. The zygomatic arch is incised under general anesthesia, a small part of the lower jaw is removed and a hook is inserted into the resulting hole. It is fixed by the edge of the notch and pressed with your hand on the chin, which allows the jaw to take a normal position. Stitches are placed on top.

For chronic dislocations, prostheses are installed. This is especially true when a person does not have his own teeth. Any yawning causes the joint to pop out of its socket. Temporary or permanent structures limit the wide opening of the mouth and relieve the weakened joint from unnecessary stress.

How to straighten your jaw yourself

A dislocated jaw can be adjusted at home, but this should only be done by someone with appropriate experience and/or medical training. Jaw joint insertion at home should not be done by non-professionals. Below are general recommendations for the procedure. In any incomprehensible and emergency situation, it is better to call 03 - skull bones are not to be trifled with!

To insert a dislocated articular head into the fossa, you must:

1. Place the victim on a hard chair next to a wall.
2. Tilt the patient's head towards the wall.
3. Wrap your thumbs in a thick towel, as slamming your jaws sharply can damage them.
4. Stand opposite the patient and ask him to open his mouth as wide as possible.
5. Place your thumbs on your bottom teeth.
6. Use the remaining fingers to clasp your chin.
7. Use your thumbs to press down on your teeth, and with the rest, lift your chin.
8. Quickly remove your fingers from your mouth or at least move them towards your cheeks.
9. Insertion of the jaw will be accompanied by a characteristic click.

The photo shows the principle of jaw realignment

With a bilateral dislocation, you need to straighten each side separately, and with a unilateral dislocation, try to put pressure only on the sore spot.

Treatment for jaw dislocation due to yawning

When yawning, it is usually not a full-fledged dislocation, but a subluxation that can be treated at home.

To do this you need:

1. Fix the jaw.
2. Anesthetize the injury site.
3. Apply ice wrapped in a towel to the injury site.
4. Hold the ice for 5 minutes every hour.

Dislocation of the jaw joint can occur at any age and at any time, even when yawning. If a pathology occurs, you should not try to cure it yourself; it is better to consult a doctor: he will know exactly what to do.

More details about what to do in case of a dislocated jaw are described in the video: