If you have been in an accident or suffered trauma to your jaw,  you should make an appointment with an emergency dentist to check for a broken jaw. The jawbone plays a crucial role in breathing, talking, and eating. This injury can be painful and make you susceptible to other dental issues and infections. At Los Angeles Advanced Dentistry, our emergency dentists can help you reduce your pain and avoid more complications. Call us today to begin your journey to recovery.

What is a Broken Jaw?

A broken jaw, or mandibular fracture, is a fracture and break of the jawbone. It is the second most common facial injury after nose and cheekbone fractures. The jawbone is the largest bone in your skull and connects to the skull through two branches called rami. These branches connect at the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), where ligaments keep the bone stable and muscles allow you to open and close your mouth.

If you experience trauma to the TMJ from sports or an accident, you may suffer a broken jaw. Intense pain from a jaw fracture means you need to find emergency dental care as soon as possible.

Common Causes Of Broken Jaws

There are several reasons why a jaw might break, often due to trauma or a hit to the face. Common causes of jaw fractures include the following:

Car Accidents

Car accidents are a leading cause of broken jaws. During a collision, your jaw can strike the dashboard or steering wheel. If you are not wearing a seatbelt, the force of the impact can easily result in a broken jaw.

Contact Sports

Engaging in contact sports like wrestling or American football raises the chance of breaking your jaw. A ball striking your face can also cause a fracture. Additionally, falling while playing can lead to a broken jaw.

Physical Assault

Physical assaults are another common cause of broken jaws. A strong blow to the face can break your jaw. Boxing, whether professional or recreational, can lead to jaw fractures if a punch lands with enough force.

Slip and Fall Incidents

Slip and fall accidents occur in homes, workplaces, and shopping centers. If you trip and your face hits a hard surface, you risk breaking your jawbone.

Both home and workplace accidents can result in broken jaws. For example, you might slip off a ladder at work or fall from a table when changing a light bulb at home. These everyday accidents can result in jaw injuries.

What Increases the Risk of a Broken Jaw?

Some factors can increase the likelihood of a broken jaw, such as:

  • Age—Older people are more prone to jaw fractures due to changes in bone density. Also, individuals aged 20 to 29 are at a higher risk, often due to reckless behavior that can lead to injuries, including jaw fractures
  • Weak bones—Conditions like osteoporosis can raise the risk of fractures
  • Dental issues—Poor dental health, like untreated cavities or gum disease, can weaken the jawbone.
  • Certain health conditions—Illnesses like cancer or Paget's disease can weaken bones and increase fracture risk
  • Gender—Men are likelier to break their jaws because they often engage in contact sports and fights. Men are also three times more likely to experience a broken jaw than women.
  • Some medications—Long-term use of drugs like corticosteroids can also weaken bones.

Safety measures such as wearing protective gear in sports, using car seat belts, and maintaining dental care are essential to reduce the risk of jaw fractures.

Symptoms of a Broken Jawbone

The common signs of a broken jawbone you should watch out for include:

  • Severe pain around the jaw area
  • Swelling or bruising on the face
  • Sharp pain in the ears
  • Numbness in the chin or lower lip.
  • Malocclusion is when the teeth do not align properly when you close the mouth.
  • Loose or missing teeth.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Bleeding from the mouth can obstruct breathing if it enters the airways.

Reasons For Seeking Emergency Dental Treatment for a Broken Jaw

A broken jaw is a dental emergency. Not treating your jaw injury can result in improper healing, which may cause problems with tooth alignment and your bite. If the injury is severe, bacteria could infect the area, leading to infections. This condition can be life-threatening if the infection reaches your brain or neck.

If you notice any signs of a broken jaw, apply ice to help with pain and swelling. It will make it easier for doctors to diagnose and treat you. After that, contact an emergency dentist. If possible, do not drive yourself. Ask a friend or family member for a ride.

Broken jaw particles can block the airways and make it hard to breathe. In this case, call 911 first, even before you contact an emergency dentist.

The Medical Examination Process

You can expect the following once during the examination process for your broken jaw:

A Physical Inspection

The first step involves a thorough physical check-up. Your emergency dentist will search for signs of a broken jaw, such as:

  • Swelling
  • Bruising
  • Any unusual shape.

They will also check your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) for nerve issues. After that, the dentist will press on your jawbone through your cheeks.

An Examination of the Inside of the Mouth

After the physical exam, your emergency dentist will check how well your jaw moves. They will inspect your mouth closely and ask you to bite down. While you do this, they will look at how your teeth align.

Assess the Jawbone Stability

The next part involves checking the stability of the jawbone. An emergency dentist will use a tongue depressor to inspect your teeth. It also helps them determine whether the teeth are stable and can hold their position.

Assessing the Severity of the Damage

The last part of figuring out if you have a broken jaw is having an X-ray. If the X-ray does not show enough detail, the emergency dentist might suggest a CT scan for a clearer picture. Before any scans, your dentist will check your pain and give you medicine if it hurts.

Treating Your Broken Jaw

Once the dentist checks your situation, they will suggest the best treatment depending on how severe the injury is. There are two kinds of fractures:

  • Stable.
  • Unstable.

Stable fractures are not as serious, while unstable fractures show a more serious injury. An unstable fracture means you will need surgery to fix your broken jaw. Make sure to see an oral or maxillofacial surgeon for this. Surgeons use wires to connect the upper and lower teeth for stable fractures.

Fixing a Stable Fracture with Jaw Wiring

Dentists refer to wiring the jaw as maxillomandibular fixation (MMF). The dentist or oral surgeon performs the procedure to reconnect the jaws and repair the fracture. They might use wires, metal tools, or rubber bands to hold the teeth and jaws in place. Jaw wiring stops movement, which helps the fracture heal correctly.

Benefits of Jaw Wiring

The symptoms of a jaw fracture can vary based on how serious the break is. They may include the following:

  • Discomfort caused by jaw misalignment
  • Problems with jaw and dental function
  • Difficulty keeping your lips together when you close the mouth
  • Speech difficulties
  • Drooling
  • Changes in facial symmetry

Wiring your teeth can help alleviate these symptoms and support a faster, complete recovery of your jaw.

The Jaw Wiring Procedure

Jaw wiring is mainly used to limit jaw movement. This method helps you recover faster. A dentist will place bars on your upper and lower gums to securely hold the wires or rubber bands. This procedure usually requires a hospital stay; recovery typically takes about six weeks.

Risks of Jaw Wiring

Here are some possible risks associated with jaw wiring:

  • Vomiting or Choking on Food

If the dentist wires your jaw, you might choke when vomiting. You can always carry wire cutters to avoid choking on vomit. If you feel nauseous and think you might throw up, use the cutters to remove the wiring.

  • Bleeding

Bleeding is another risk linked to jaw wiring. The cuts made during the procedure might bleed. To control the bleeding, gently press the area with cotton.

  • Numbness

Due to the wiring, you may feel tingling or numbness in your mouth. This sensation can last for a short time or longer.

  • Infection

Infections can also occur from the wounds. You may need drainage and medication to treat any infections.

Recovery After the Wiring Procedure

The time it takes to return to normal after a wiring procedure depends on how serious the injuries are. Your overall health also plays a role. During the healing process, you may feel mild discomfort in your jaw due to the wire. However, you will not feel any pain during the wiring process because you will be under anesthesia.

Once the anesthesia wears off, you might feel some discomfort and swelling. Your dentist will suggest medications to help with these symptoms. Usually, you will not need to stay in the hospital to have the wiring removed.

Jaw Surgery

Your dentist might recommend surgery as another way to fix a broken jaw. This type of surgery is called orthognathic surgery.

Risks of Jaw Surgery

When done by a skilled oral surgeon, jaw surgery is generally safe. However, there are some risks involved, such as:

  • Bleeding
  • Nerve damage
  • Infections can occur in the wounds.
  • Your jaw might not return to its original position.
  • You may need another surgery to correct any subsequent problems
  • Some of your teeth might need root canal treatment
  • You could lose some jawbone.

The Surgical Procedure

The dental surgeon will suggest surgery after evaluating how serious the broken jaw is. The orthodontist may use imaging tests to find the best treatment option.

The surgeon and orthodontist can see the broken jaw using 3-D images from computerized tomography scans. During the surgery, the surgeon might also use a computer-generated guide to assist in planning. The dental surgeon can use VSP (virtual surgical planning) to prepare for the operation. VSP is a digital tool that helps the surgeon navigate the procedure efficiently.

Your oral surgeon will perform the surgery while you are under general anesthesia. You will also likely need to stay in the hospital for 2-4 days.

An oral surgeon or dentist will adjust the jaws to ensure they fit together correctly during the operation. Once aligned, they will fasten the jaws using screws or small bone plates. Doctors may also use wires or rubber bands to secure the jawbones. Over time, the screws will bond with the surrounding bone.

In some cases, the oral surgeon might need to add a small piece of bone to mend the broken jaw, depending on the severity of the injury. Surgeons can take this bone from the thigh, rib, or hip. The surgeon will then secure this bone fragment to the jaw with screws and dental plates.

Maxillary (Upper Jaw) Osteotomy

An osteotomy is a type of jaw surgery that helps to move the jaw into a better position and fix issues like uneven facial features or problems with how the teeth fit together.

A broken upper jaw can cause some dental issues, including:

  • The upper jaw appears too far back or forward.
  • Some or many teeth may become visible.
  • You might develop a crossbite.
  • An open bite.

An oral surgeon will use a maxillary osteotomy to reposition the jaw forward to align it properly with your lower teeth. After realigning the upper jaw, they will use oral plates and screws to hold it in place.

Mandibular Osteotomy (Lower Jaw Surgery)

Surgeons perform a mandibular osteotomy on the lower jaw. If your jaw has shifted back or forward due to a fracture from an accident, you may require this surgery.

What to Expect After Surgery

After your jaw surgery, your oral surgeon will give you aftercare instructions, including:

  • The kinds of food you can eat.
  • Medications for swelling and pain relief.
  • How long will it take to return to regular activities, like school or work.
  • Activities to avoid.
  • Tips for maintaining dental hygiene.

The jaw usually starts healing in about six weeks, but complete recovery can take up to 12 weeks. Once the initial healing is complete, the dental surgeon will apply braces to align your teeth.

This surgery will help restore the function of your teeth and eliminate any speech issues caused by the fracture.

Caring for Your Jaw After Treatment

Here are some tips to help you care for your jaw after the procedure:

Follow All the Instructions On Your Medication

You might feel soreness, mild pain, and discomfort in the weeks following your surgery. The oral surgeon will give you pain relief medications to help with the discomfort and antibiotics to prevent infections at the surgery site.

Failing to follow the proper care instructions after broken jaw surgery can lead to several problems:

  • Infection
  • Excessive bleeding
  • Bruising or nerve damage
  • Teeth damage

Eat Soft or Blended Foods

Eating solid foods will be difficult if your oral surgeon wires your jaws together. You must consume soft, blended foods using a syringe or straw. Even if your jaws are not wired, you should stick to soft foods for proper healing. You can enjoy items like yogurt, pudding, and bananas. Avoid hard foods as they can irritate the area and slow down recovery.

Keep Up Good Oral Hygiene

After jaw surgery, you should care for your teeth and gums. Good oral hygiene is essential while healing. Make sure to clean your mouth, especially after meals. Food bits can attract bacteria, which might lead to infections in your wounds.

To clean your teeth well, pick a small, soft toothbrush. The soft bristles are less likely to scratch your gums than a regular toothbrush. Adding a water flosser to your dental care routine is also beneficial. It helps remove any leftover debris from your teeth.

Do Not Play Sports Until You Have Fully Recovered

If you are eager to go back outside, remember that you should not play sports if you have a broken jaw. Engaging in sports can cause more harm to your jaw. Talk to your dentist about when it is safe for you to return to sports.

Avoid Putting Pressure on Your Jaw

Avoid putting pressure on your healing jaw, especially while you sleep. Until you recover, the best position for sleeping is on your back.

Avoid  Broken Jaws

Most people who experience a broken jaw do so due to accidents or trauma. While you cannot avoid some accidents, you can take these steps to lower your risk of injury:

  • Always wear a helmet when riding a scooter, bike, or motorcycle. Motorcycle accidents are a common cause of broken jaws. Since these vehicles offer little protection, a crash can lead to severe injuries. A full-face helmet can safeguard your head and face during an accident.
  • Always buckle up when driving. If your head and face collide with the dashboard in a car crash, your jaw can break. Wearing a seatbelt can help absorb the impact and lower the risk of facial injuries.
  • Use a mouthguard when playing contact sports. Head and jaw injuries can occur while playing sports, often from falls or being hit by a ball. Wearing a mouthguard can help protect your jaw and teeth.
  • Wear protective headgear for specific jobs. Using protective headgear is crucial if your work involves activities where you might hit your head with heavy equipment.

Find an LA Emergency Dentist Near Me

If you believe you have a broken jaw, see an emergency dentist as soon as possible. Even minor fractures require medical attention. Prompt medical care will help lessen the swelling and prevent further dental problems. We at Los Angeles Advanced Dentistry are ready to help with your emergency dental needs such as a broken jaw. Call us today at 310-361-2080 to speak with one of our dentists.