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18555 N 79th Ave Suite A-103 Glendale, AZ 85308-8370 Call Now! (623) 738-2564 |
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Posted on 12/10/2018 by Dr. Michael Allard |
 A dislocated jaw is not very comfortable. The dislocated jaw is the result of one or both of the joints that connect the lower jaw to the skull being out of place. It could be the result of a trauma or it could happen in some other way Regardless of how it happens, it is not something to leave untreated. The question that many people have is how to treat this problem. Options for TreatmentThe way to treat a dislocated jaw depends on several factors. How the jaw was hurt, and the extent of the damage plays a big role in the plan for treatment. No matter what the extent of the injury, the treatment involves the help of both a health professional and things the person must do on their own. When our dental professionals are confronted with a dislocated jaw, the first step is to reposition it back into the correct place. When done manually, medications to help with the pain and to help loosen the muscles can make it easier to do. Some form of anesthesia is also used. The jaw is basically fitted back into place when doing it manually. Some dislocations require more help and need surgery to put them back into place. This is common when there are also fractures alongside the dislocation. The Next StepsAfter the dislocated jaw is put back in place, there are steps to help with the healing process. Some may require the jaw to be wired shut to help immobilize the area and allow the muscles and joint to heal. Others may require a person to follow a soft diet to put less stress on their jaw. Dislocations can take 8 weeks or longer to fully heal. During the healing process, they are at an increased risk to become dislocated again. It is important for a person to take steps to prevent this from happening. For more information about this and other oral health issues, contact the dental professionals at our office to schedule an appointment. |
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