Jaw Fracture Treatment
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Fractured Jaw |
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| A Fractured Jaw is a facial injury that results in the jaw bone breaking or moving out of position. |
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| Causes of Fractured Jaw |
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The most common cause of broken or dislocated jaw is accident or trauma involving a blow to the face. This may be the result of a motor vehicle accident, industrial accident, recreational/sports injury, or other accident. It may also result from assault. The goal of treatment is proper alignment of the jaw bone so the upper and lower teeth come together normally. Surgery is often required for moderate to severe fractures to align and immobilize the bone so it can heal. |
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| Symptoms of Fractured Jaw |
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Symptoms include Pain in the face or jaw, located in front of the ear on the affected side(s), worse with movement, inability to close your mouth, drooling because of inability to close the mouth. difficulty speaking, jaw may protrude forward, your teeth may not align normally, your ite feels "off" or crooked |
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Treatment of Fractured Jaw |
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| Treatment for conservative Fractured Jaw |
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This means that patients whose fracture does not affect mastication must rest the areas of the broken bone. This usually includes unfitness for work, the duration of which will be determined by the treating doctor.
In fractures affecting the jaws, immobilisation of the jaws is necessary for conservative treatment, and this can be ensured by retaining screws or encirclement of the teeth with strong wire. |
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| Operative therapy |
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If operative treatment is necessary, this involves an operation that is usually performed under general anaesthesia. The broken fragments of bone are exposed at the operation and the fractured parts of the bone are joined together firmly in their original position using plates and screws. Various systems are available depending on the fracture site and fracture type: titanium plate systems are used in fractures subject to much stress, especially in the mandible, while absorbable plate systems (dissolving plates) can be used in fractures in less stressed areas, especially in the maxilla and zygomatic area and in the frontal region. The treating doctor decides on the procedure and treatment plan in each case. |
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The fundamental goals of treatment are restoration of the original form and function, facial shape and mastication. This eliminates pain caused by the fracture and diminishes the risk of infection with its possible sequelae (chronic bone inflammation). |
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| Various treatment plans are available depending on the fracture region. |
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