Jaw - broken or dislocated
Alternate Names : Dislocated jaw, Fractured jaw, Broken jaw
Definition
A broken jaw is a break in the jaw bone. A dislocated jaw means the lower part of the jaw has moved out of its normal position at one or both joints where the jaw bone connects to the skull (temporomandibular joints).
Overview & Considerations
A broken or dislocated jaw usually heals completely after treatment. However, the jaw may become dislocated again in the future. Complications may include: - Airway blockage
- Bleeding
- Breathing blood or food into the lungs
- Difficulty eating (temporary)
- Difficulty talking (temporary)
- Infection of the jaw or face
- Jaw joint (TMJ) pain and other problems
- Problems aligning the teeth
Causes
The most common cause of a broken or dislocated jaw is injury to the face. This may be due to: - Assault
- Industrial accident
- Motor vehicle accident
- Recreational or sports injury
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