What is a dislocated jaw?
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocation occurs when the rounded mandibular condyle moves out of its standard position in the glenoid fossa of the temporal bone [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] .
Jaw dislocation can happen along multiple paths, yet forward dislocation is the most frequent type. Lateral, posterior, and superior dislocations happen but are less frequent [2, 3, 6, 11].
Several factors lead to jaw dislocation, including facial trauma and medical procedures like intubation or dental work. Still, it can also happen during yawning or laughing and during seizures or vomiting [11].
Pain and trouble closing the mouth and garbled speech that causes drooling characterize a dislocated jaw, and the area near the ear exhibits a preauricular depression [1, 11].
Sometimes, the jaw protrudes excessively, resulting in an overbite, or the teeth fail to align correctly, which leads to an abnormal bite. The mouth will not close completely because of this condition, which can lead to drooling. Speaking may also be difficult [1].
Manual reduction is the typical treatment method for dislocated jaw recovery, which requires a doctor to realign the jaw to its proper position. Certain conditions require surgical intervention [5, 7, 10].
What are the causes of a dislocated jaw?
Different factors can cause a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocation, another term for a dislocated jaw. Facial trauma stands out as a primary cause of dislocation, which can occur from physical assault or accidents during sports and vehicle collisions, as well as accidental falls at home or industrial workplace incidents [1].
Forceful mouth opening beyond normal range is another common reason the jaw becomes dislocated. Dislocated jaw incidents may happen during activities like yawning, laughing, singing or vomiting. A dislocated jaw may result from seizures because of their intense, uncontrollable movements [11].
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Anatomical abnormalities beneath the surface can become a reason for a dislocated jaw. The underlying anatomical causes of a dislocated jaw are ligamentous laxity, aberrant anatomy, and connective tissue disorders. Neurodegenerative disorders, including Huntington's disease, together with multiple sclerosis and epilepsy, elevate the risk of a dislocated jaw [11].
Some individuals experience a dislocated jaw because of joint hypermobility due to hypermobility syndromes and a shallow mandibular fossa or joint capsule laxity [11].
According to research, haloperidol, phenothiazines, and thiothixene increase the risk of jaw dislocation [11].
Is a dislocated jaw dangerous?
The dislocation of a jaw causes severe discomfort but usually does not present a risk to life. A dislocated jaw needs to be treated immediately because delayed or improper care will result in complications.
A dislocated jaw immediately poses the risk of breathing difficulties. Swollen facial tissues or oral bleeding can obstruct breathing pathways [1].
Long-term complications become a risk when dislocation turns into a chronic condition. Chronic dislocations cause disability, often necessitating invasive surgical treatments [12, 4].
Dislocated jaws can cause more severe conditions, although it happens rarely. A superior dislocation caused by direct trauma to a partially open mouth may damage the facial nerve and vestibulocochlear nerve while also leading to intracranial hematoma and cerebrospinal fluid leakage with cerebral contusion [11].
Can you dislocate your jaw by yawning?
Your jaw can become dislocated when you yawn. When you open your mouth widely during yawning, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which connects your jawbone to your skull, can become dislocated [13, 11].
The jaw dislocation usually happens as a single occurrence when someone opens their mouth too wide. Laughter and singing or vomiting and seizures can cause dislocation, while medical procedures like intubation and endoscopies, along with dental work, also result in such injuries [11].
Jaw dislocation happens infrequently, but people with specific risk factors face a higher chance of developing this condition. Risk factors for jaw dislocation encompass previous dislocation incidents as well as structural or anatomic deficits together with connective tissue disorders that decrease stability, such as:
- Marfan syndrome and Ehler-Danlos syndrome
- Muscular dystrophy
- Orofacial dystrophy
- Neurodegenerative or neurodysfunctional conditions like Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis or epilepsy, elderly age and dental structure modifications [11].
When your jaw dislocates, you experience pain in the preauricular region and struggle to close your mouth, resulting in slurred speech and drooling [11]. Patients should seek urgent medical care when these conditions present.